GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
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Maxwell GPU Surface Book
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook
This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
2022Why buy it
- ✅+297.8% 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).
- ✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 22.1 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
- ❌466.7% higher power demand at 170W vs 30W.
Maxwell GPU Surface Book
2015Why buy it
- ✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 22.1 vs 0 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
- ✅Draws 30W instead of 170W, a 140W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (3,311 vs 13,170).
- ❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
- ❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
- ❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
2022Maxwell GPU Surface Book
2015Why buy it
- ✅+297.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
- ✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
- ✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
- ✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
Why buy it
- ✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 22.1 vs 0 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
- ✅Draws 30W instead of 170W, a 140W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 22.1 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
- ❌466.7% higher power demand at 170W vs 30W.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (3,311 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.
- ❌Very weak future-proofing: 2015-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
Quick Answers
So, is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU better than Maxwell GPU Surface Book?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
Is Maxwell GPU Surface Book still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Games Benchmarks
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Path of Exile 2
| Preset | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 109 FPS | 77 FPS |
| medium | 98 FPS | 65 FPS |
| high | 84 FPS | 43 FPS |
| ultra | 70 FPS | 28 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 95 FPS | 61 FPS |
| medium | 83 FPS | 51 FPS |
| high | 70 FPS | 31 FPS |
| ultra | 59 FPS | 19 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 48 FPS | 22 FPS |
| medium | 43 FPS | 21 FPS |
| high | 30 FPS | 13 FPS |
| ultra | 26 FPS | 11 FPS |
Counter-Strike 2
| Preset | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 351 FPS | 97 FPS |
| medium | 307 FPS | 68 FPS |
| high | 246 FPS | 49 FPS |
| ultra | 194 FPS | 31 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 222 FPS | 53 FPS |
| medium | 195 FPS | 31 FPS |
| high | 159 FPS | 22 FPS |
| ultra | 127 FPS | 15 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 110 FPS | 18 FPS |
| medium | 93 FPS | 11 FPS |
| high | 77 FPS | 9 FPS |
| ultra | 59 FPS | 7 FPS |
League of Legends
| Preset | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 593 FPS | 149 FPS |
| medium | 474 FPS | 119 FPS |
| high | 395 FPS | 99 FPS |
| ultra | 296 FPS | 74 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 444 FPS | 112 FPS |
| medium | 356 FPS | 89 FPS |
| high | 296 FPS | 74 FPS |
| ultra | 222 FPS | 56 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 296 FPS | 74 FPS |
| medium | 237 FPS | 60 FPS |
| high | 198 FPS | 50 FPS |
| ultra | 148 FPS | 37 FPS |
Valorant
| Preset | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | ||
| low | 519 FPS | 149 FPS |
| medium | 439 FPS | 119 FPS |
| high | 376 FPS | 99 FPS |
| ultra | 296 FPS | 74 FPS |
| 1440p | ||
| low | 425 FPS | 110 FPS |
| medium | 356 FPS | 88 FPS |
| high | 296 FPS | 74 FPS |
| ultra | 222 FPS | 56 FPS |
| 4K | ||
| low | 277 FPS | 64 FPS |
| medium | 237 FPS | 50 FPS |
| high | 198 FPS | 41 FPS |
| ultra | 148 FPS | 30 FPS |
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and Maxwell GPU Surface Book
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
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.
Maxwell GPU Surface Book
Maxwell GPU Surface Book
The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is manufactured by an unknown manufacturer. It was released in October 1 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 954 MHz to 993 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,311 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book's 3,311 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 297.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 993 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 13,170+298% | 3,311 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+833% | 384 |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+79% | 993 MHz |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| 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 comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB+200% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 336 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.4+27% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4+33% | 3 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs None (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (7th Gen) | None |
| Decoder | NVDEC (5th Gen) | PureVideo VP6 |
| Codecs | H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book's 30W — a 140% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 30W-82% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 350W-30% |
| Power Connector | Mobile | PCIe-powered |
| Length | — | 0mm |
| Height | — | 0mm |
| Slots | — | 0 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C-12% | 85 |
| Perf/Watt | 77.5 | 110.4+42% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $150 |
| Codename | GA106 | Surface Book |
| Release | October 12 2022 | October 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #147 | #779 |
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