GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile

2025Core: 990 MHzBoost: 1515 MHz

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile 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 5090 Mobile: 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

  • 63.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (16,995 vs 28,280).
  • Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
  • GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
  • 78.9% higher power demand at 170W vs 95W.

GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile

2025

Why buy it

  • +66.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (2025).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 12 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Blackwell (2024−2025) on 4nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 95W instead of 170W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown 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 63.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile instead at 28,280 vs 16,995, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 24 GB vs 12 GB of VRAM, 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 4nm process instead of 8nm, and a newer 2025 generation instead of 2021. 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and lighter 1440p, GeForce RTX 3060 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1440p and 4K headroom, GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile

The GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 2 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 990 MHz to 1515 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 95W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 28,280 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile's 28,280 — the GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile leads by 66.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 10,496 (GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1515 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile
G3D Mark Score
16,995
28,280+66%
Architecture
Ampere
Blackwell 2.0
Process Node
8 nm
4 nm
Shading Units
3584
10496+193%
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+17%
1515 MHz

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile 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 5090 Mobile supports the newer DLSS 4 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile
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 5090 Mobile carries 24 GB. GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile gives you 100% 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 896 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile) — a 148.9% advantage for the GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile
VRAM Capacity
12 GB
24 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
360 GB/s
896 GB/s+149%
Bus Width
192-bit
256-bit+33%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate (12_2)
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 (Blackwell) (GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC (Blackwell). Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile
Encoder
NVENC 7th Gen
NVENC (Blackwell)
Decoder
NVDEC 5th Gen
NVDEC (Blackwell)
Codecs
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
H.264,H.265,AV1,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile's 95W — a 56.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 85.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile
TDP
170W
95W-44%
Recommended PSU
550W-15%
650W
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
242mm
0mm
Height
112mm
0mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75-12%
85
Perf/Watt
100.0
297.7+198%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile (2025 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile
MSRP
$329
Codename
GA106
GN22-X11
Release
January 12 2021
January 2 2025
Ranking
#114
#não classificado

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