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 Ti

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,100 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 186.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 50.9 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 350W, a 150W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 312mm, a 70mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (20,312 vs 26,594).
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (152 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅+30.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅115.8% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 152).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌
275.7% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 50.9 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
❌75% higher power demand at 350W vs 200W.
❌28.9% longer card at 312mm vs 242mm.

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

2020

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,100 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 186.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 50.9 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 350W, a 150W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 312mm, a 70mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅+30.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅115.8% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 152).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (20,312 vs 26,594).
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (152 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌
275.7% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 50.9 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
❌75% higher power demand at 350W vs 200W.
❌28.9% longer card at 312mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3090 better than GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3090 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 30.9% higher PassMark G3D performance, 328 vs 152 Tensor cores, and 24 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3090 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 30.9% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 24 GB instead of 8 GB, and 115.8% more ray-tracing hardware. 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 3090 is about 275.7% more expensive on MSRP at $1,499 MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and you are getting 30.9% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3060 Ti still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, GeForce RTX 3090 is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3060 Ti still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

Is GeForce RTX 3060 Ti still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $399 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, GeForce RTX 3090 earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

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 Ti Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3090 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
1080p
low	152 FPS	328 FPS
medium	137 FPS	313 FPS
high	118 FPS	259 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	203 FPS
1440p
low	131 FPS	313 FPS
medium	107 FPS	262 FPS
high	91 FPS	202 FPS
ultra	82 FPS	161 FPS
4K
low	77 FPS	181 FPS
medium	65 FPS	149 FPS
high	50 FPS	106 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	94 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Open GeForce RTX 3090

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
1080p
low	425 FPS	702 FPS
medium	366 FPS	599 FPS
high	296 FPS	472 FPS
ultra	248 FPS	413 FPS
1440p
low	272 FPS	500 FPS
medium	229 FPS	420 FPS
high	190 FPS	331 FPS
ultra	156 FPS	276 FPS
4K
low	133 FPS	242 FPS
medium	114 FPS	201 FPS
high	96 FPS	167 FPS
ultra	73 FPS	141 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Open GeForce RTX 3090

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
1080p
low	859 FPS	999 FPS
medium	693 FPS	957 FPS
high	602 FPS	798 FPS
ultra	457 FPS	598 FPS
1440p
low	658 FPS	898 FPS
medium	529 FPS	718 FPS
high	452 FPS	598 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	449 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	569 FPS
medium	346 FPS	479 FPS
high	275 FPS	399 FPS
ultra	221 FPS	299 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Open GeForce RTX 3090

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
1080p
low	580 FPS	904 FPS
medium	514 FPS	841 FPS
high	424 FPS	733 FPS
ultra	373 FPS	598 FPS
1440p
low	478 FPS	707 FPS
medium	427 FPS	658 FPS
high	335 FPS	570 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	449 FPS
4K
low	285 FPS	513 FPS
medium	266 FPS	479 FPS
high	234 FPS	399 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	299 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Open GeForce RTX 3090

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and GeForce RTX 3090

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 4864 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 38 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $399.

GeForce RTX 3090

The GeForce RTX 3090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 82 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,594 points. Launch price was $1,499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti scores 20,312 versus the GeForce RTX 3090's 26,594 — the GeForce RTX 3090 leads by 30.9%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3090 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090). Raw compute: 16.2 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 1695 MHz. Ray tracing: 38 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 82 (GeForce RTX 3090) with 152 Tensor cores vs 328.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
G3D Mark Score	20,312	26,594+31%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	4864	10496+116%
Compute (TFLOPS)	16.2 TFLOPS	35.58 TFLOPS+120%
Boost Clock	1665 MHz	1695 MHz+2%
ROPs	80	112+40%
TMUs	152	328+116%
L1 Cache	4.8 MB	10.3 MB+115%
L2 Cache	4 MB	6 MB+50%
Ray Tracing Cores	38	82+116%
Tensor Cores	152	328+116%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3090 has 24 GB. The GeForce RTX 3090 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) — a 108.9% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Bus width: 256-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3090) — the GeForce RTX 3090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	24 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s	936 GB/s+109%
Bus Width	256-bit	384-bit+50%
L2 Cache	4 MB	6 MB+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3090). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3090). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
Encoder	NVENC (Ampere)	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC (Ampere)	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 3090's 350W — a 54.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 750W (GeForce RTX 3090). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 312mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 3090
TDP	200W-43%	350W
Recommended PSU	600W-20%	750W
Power Connector	8-pin	2x 8-pin
Length	242mm	312mm
Height	112mm	140mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	75-12%	85°C
Perf/Watt	101.6+34%	76.0

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3090 launched at $1499. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti costs 73.4% less ($1100 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 50.9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 17.7 (GeForce RTX 3090) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 187.6% better value.