GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

VS

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

2018

Popular choices:

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

2022

Why buy it

  • +576.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs Unknown).
  • 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 3.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
  • 2328.6% higher power demand at 170W vs 7W.

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

2018

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 3.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Draws 7W instead of 170W, a 163W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,947 vs 13,170).
  • Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • Very weak future-proofing: 2018-era hardware with Unknown 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 Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 13,170 vs 1,947 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is a 2022 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is a 2018 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2018, 576.4% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of Unknown, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the smarter buy by a wide margin. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $599 MSRP, and you are getting 576.4% higher G3D Mark. Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.
Is Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
No, not for a fresh gaming build. Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is 2018 hardware with Unknown of VRAM, 1,947 in G3D Mark, and no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That is simply too far behind to be an easy modern recommendation.

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

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
1080p
low109 FPS88 FPS
medium98 FPS70 FPS
high84 FPS58 FPS
ultra70 FPS41 FPS
1440p
low95 FPS66 FPS
medium83 FPS53 FPS
high70 FPS44 FPS
ultra59 FPS32 FPS
4K
low48 FPS29 FPS
medium43 FPS27 FPS
high30 FPS18 FPS
ultra26 FPS16 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
1080p
low357 FPS88 FPS
medium310 FPS70 FPS
high248 FPS58 FPS
ultra195 FPS39 FPS
1440p
low221 FPS66 FPS
medium190 FPS48 FPS
high154 FPS35 FPS
ultra123 FPS26 FPS
4K
low108 FPS38 FPS
medium89 FPS25 FPS
high72 FPS20 FPS
ultra55 FPS14 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
1080p
low593 FPS88 FPS
medium474 FPS70 FPS
high395 FPS58 FPS
ultra296 FPS44 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS66 FPS
medium356 FPS53 FPS
high296 FPS44 FPS
ultra222 FPS33 FPS
4K
low296 FPS44 FPS
medium237 FPS35 FPS
high198 FPS29 FPS
ultra148 FPS22 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
1080p
low565 FPS88 FPS
medium474 FPS70 FPS
high395 FPS58 FPS
ultra296 FPS44 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS66 FPS
medium356 FPS53 FPS
high296 FPS44 FPS
ultra222 FPS33 FPS
4K
low296 FPS44 FPS
medium237 FPS35 FPS
high198 FPS29 FPS
ultra148 FPS22 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

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.

Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3

The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is manufactured by Qualcomm. It was released in December 6 2018. The thermal design power (TDP) is 7W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,947 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3's 1,947 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 576.4%.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
G3D Mark Score
13,170+576%
1,947
Process Node
8 nm
7 nm

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 Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
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 Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 has 0 MB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs System.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
336 GB/s
Unknown
Bus Width
192-bit
System
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3's 7W — a 184.2% difference. The Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 1W (Qualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3). Power connectors: Mobile vs Integrated.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
TDP
170W
7W-96%
Recommended PSU
500W
1W-100%
Power Connector
Mobile
Integrated
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
77.5
278.1+259%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2018).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUQualcomm Adreno 8cx Gen 3
MSRP
$599
Codename
GA106
Release
October 12 2022
December 6 2018
Ranking
#147
#915