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

✅+54.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 37.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $229 MSRP).

Radeon RX 480

2016

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 37.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($229 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (8,546 vs 13,170).
❌No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Radeon RX 480

2016

Why buy it

✅+54.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅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 37.3 vs 0 G3D/$ ($229 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 37.3 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $229 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (8,546 vs 13,170).
❌No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 2016-era hardware with 8 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU better than Radeon RX 480?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 13,170 vs 8,546 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is a 2022 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Radeon RX 480 is a 2016 model from an older generation with FSR upscaling. 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 2016, 54.1% more raw performance headroom, the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of FSR upscaling, and a 8nm process instead of 14nm. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

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 $229 MSRP, and you are getting 54.1% higher G3D Mark. Radeon RX 480 really only makes sense now as a very cheap stopgap or a used-market placeholder.

Is Radeon RX 480 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

No, not for a fresh gaming build. Radeon RX 480 is 2016 hardware with 8 GB of VRAM, 8,546 in G3D Mark, and FSR upscaling. 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.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU Benchmark Check

Radeon RX 480 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
1080p
low	109 FPS	134 FPS
medium	98 FPS	113 FPS
high	84 FPS	97 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	58 FPS
1440p
low	95 FPS	114 FPS
medium	83 FPS	96 FPS
high	70 FPS	72 FPS
ultra	59 FPS	42 FPS
4K
low	48 FPS	39 FPS
medium	43 FPS	36 FPS
high	30 FPS	23 FPS
ultra	26 FPS	19 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU Open Radeon RX 480

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
1080p
low	357 FPS	156 FPS
medium	310 FPS	135 FPS
high	248 FPS	115 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	89 FPS
1440p
low	221 FPS	91 FPS
medium	190 FPS	71 FPS
high	154 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	123 FPS	44 FPS
4K
low	108 FPS	37 FPS
medium	89 FPS	29 FPS
high	72 FPS	23 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	18 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU Open Radeon RX 480

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
1080p
low	593 FPS	385 FPS
medium	474 FPS	308 FPS
high	395 FPS	256 FPS
ultra	296 FPS	192 FPS
1440p
low	444 FPS	288 FPS
medium	356 FPS	231 FPS
high	296 FPS	192 FPS
ultra	222 FPS	144 FPS
4K
low	296 FPS	192 FPS
medium	237 FPS	154 FPS
high	198 FPS	128 FPS
ultra	148 FPS	96 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU Open Radeon RX 480

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
1080p
low	565 FPS	290 FPS
medium	474 FPS	252 FPS
high	395 FPS	210 FPS
ultra	296 FPS	166 FPS
1440p
low	444 FPS	213 FPS
medium	356 FPS	190 FPS
high	296 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	222 FPS	118 FPS
4K
low	296 FPS	120 FPS
medium	237 FPS	98 FPS
high	198 FPS	80 FPS
ultra	148 FPS	62 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU Open Radeon RX 480

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and Radeon RX 480

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.

Radeon RX 480

The Radeon RX 480 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 29 2016. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1120 MHz to 1266 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,546 points. Launch price was $229.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the Radeon RX 480's 8,546 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU leads by 54.1%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the Radeon RX 480 uses GCN 4.0, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 2,304 (Radeon RX 480). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 5.834 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 480). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1266 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
G3D Mark Score	13,170+54%	8,546
Architecture	Ampere	GCN 4.0
Process Node	8 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	3584+56%	2304
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS+118%	5.834 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+40%	1266 MHz
ROPs	48+50%	32
TMUs	112	144+29%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB+525%	0.56 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

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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 Radeon RX 480 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX 480 has 8 GB. The Radeon RX 480 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 256 GB/s (Radeon RX 480) — a 31.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 2 MB (Radeon RX 480) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	8 GB+33%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s+31%	256 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 12.0 (Radeon RX 480). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.0
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX 480). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon RX 480).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU	Radeon RX 480
Encoder	NVENC (7th Gen)	VCE 3.4
Decoder	NVDEC (5th Gen)	UVD 6.3
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the Radeon RX 480's 150W — a 12.5% difference. The Radeon RX 480 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 500W (Radeon RX 480). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85°C.