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 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB: 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

2021

Why buy it

✅6.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 11.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 46.2 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

2022

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 46.2 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 6.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 11.8% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 15,208), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is priced the same on MSRP at $329 vs $329, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 11.8% (51.7 vs 46.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. 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: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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: 15,208 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's 15,208 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 11.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) with 112 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
G3D Mark Score	16,995+12%	15,208
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	3584	3584
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	1777 MHz
ROPs	48	48
TMUs	112	112
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	3.5 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB	3 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	28	28
Tensor Cores	112	112

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
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 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 240 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 and 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+50%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s+50%	240 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit+50%	128-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB	3 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's 170W — a 0% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
TDP	170W	170W
Recommended PSU	550W	550W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	242mm	242mm
Height	112mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75	75°C
Perf/Watt	100.0+12%	89.5

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB launched at $329. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 46.2 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 11.9% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 8GB (2022 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
MSRP	$329	$329
Performance per Dollar	51.7+12%	46.2
Codename	GA106	GA106
Release	January 12 2021	October 12 2022
Ranking	#114	#147

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