GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GRID M40

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
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VS

GRID M40

2016Core: 1033 MHzBoost: 1000 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GRID M40 Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GRID M40: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • +426.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 2.5 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).
  • 240% higher power demand at 170W vs 50W.

GRID M40

2016

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 2.5 vs 0 G3D/$ ($1,000 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Draws 50W instead of 170W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,500 vs 13,170).
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • 2016 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 426.8% in PassMark G3D (13,170 vs 2,500), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 6 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, and 28 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GRID M40 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GRID M40 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GRID M40 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,170 points.

NVIDIA

GRID M40

The GRID M40 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2016. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1033 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,500 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the GRID M40's 2,500 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 426.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GRID M40 uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 384 (GRID M40). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 0.7933 TFLOPS (GRID M40). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1000 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID M40
G3D Mark Score
13,170+427%
2,500
Architecture
Ampere
Maxwell
Process Node
8 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
3584+833%
384
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+1506%
0.7933 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+78%
1000 MHz
ROPs
48+200%
16
TMUs
112+250%
32
L1 Cache
3.5 MB+1742%
0.19 MB
L2 Cache
3 MB+50%
2 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The GRID M40 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID M40
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GRID M40 carries 2 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and 64-bit on the GRID M40. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 2 MB (GRID M40) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID M40
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+200%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Bus Width
192-bit+200%
64-bit
L2 Cache
3 MB+50%
2 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the GRID M40's 50W — a 109.1% difference. The GRID M40 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (GRID M40). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID M40
TDP
170W
50W-71%
Recommended PSU
500W
350W-30%
Power Connector
Mobile
PCIe-powered
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
77.5+55%
50.0
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU (2022 vs 2016).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGRID M40
MSRP
$1000
Codename
GA106
GM107
Release
October 12 2022
May 18 2016
Ranking
#147
#742

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