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 5060 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 5060: 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

✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 5060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
❌GeForce RTX 5060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
10% HIGHER MSRP
$329 MSRPvs$299 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 51.7 vs 69.7 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 5060

2025

Why buy it

✅16.9% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $30 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Delivers 34.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 69.7 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
✅Better long-term bet: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 5060 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 16.9% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 22.6% in PassMark G3D (20,836 vs 16,995), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 5060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer feature stack, with DLSS 4 Super Resolution (2025) and DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025), while GeForce RTX 3060 is limited to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm process instead of 8nm, 30 vs 28 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2025 generation instead of 2021. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 5060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $30 cheaper on MSRP at $299 vs $329, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 34.9% (69.7 vs 51.7), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 5060 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 5060

The GeForce RTX 5060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 19 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2280 MHz to 2497 MHz. It has 3840 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 145W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,836 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 5060's 20,836 — the GeForce RTX 5060 leads by 22.6%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 5060 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 3,840 (GeForce RTX 5060). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 19.18 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5060). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 2497 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 30 (GeForce RTX 5060) with 112 Tensor cores vs 120.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 5060
G3D Mark Score	16,995	20,836+23%
Architecture	Ampere	Blackwell 2.0
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	3584	3840+7%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	19.18 TFLOPS+51%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	2497 MHz+41%
ROPs	48	48
TMUs	112	120+7%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	3.8 MB+9%
L2 Cache	3 MB	32 MB+967%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	30+7%
Tensor Cores	112	120+7%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 5060 is support for DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The GeForce RTX 3060 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 5060 supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 5060
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 4 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 4)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 5060 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 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5060) — a 24.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 and 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 5060. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 32 MB (GeForce RTX 5060) — the GeForce RTX 5060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 5060
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+50%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR7
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s	448 GB/s+24%
Bus Width	192-bit+50%	128-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB	32 MB+967%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 5060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 5060
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC 9th gen (GeForce RTX 5060). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC 6th gen. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 5060
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	NVENC 9th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	NVDEC 6th gen
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 5060's 145W — a 15.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 5060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 5060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 65°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 5060
TDP	170W	145W-15%
Recommended PSU	550W	450W-18%
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	242mm	241mm
Height	112mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75	65°C-13%
Perf/Watt	100.0	143.7+44%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the GeForce RTX 5060 launched at $299. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 5060 was 9.1% cheaper ($30 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 69.7 (GeForce RTX 5060) — the GeForce RTX 5060 offers 34.8% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 5060 (2025 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce RTX 5060
MSRP	$329	$299-9%
Performance per Dollar	51.7	69.7+35%
Codename	GA106	GB206
Release	January 12 2021	May 19 2025
Ranking	#114	#69

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