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 GeForce3 Ti 500 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 GeForce3 Ti 500: 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

✅14548.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).
✅Delivers 600837.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅2300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 512 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 680), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌32.2% longer card at 242mm vs 183mm.

GeForce3 Ti 500

2025

Why buy it

✅507.1% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (680 vs 112).
✅Measures 183mm instead of 242mm, a 59mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.
✅More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
6.1% HIGHER MSRP
$349 MSRPvs$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 14548.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 566400% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 3), 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 512 MB of VRAM and the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 $20 cheaper on MSRP at $329 vs $349, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 600837.7% (51.7 vs 0.0), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce3 Ti 500 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.

GeForce3 Ti 500

The GeForce3 Ti 500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 30 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2017 MHz to 2407 MHz. It has 21760 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 575W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 170 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3 points. Launch price was $1,999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce3 Ti 500's 3 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 566400%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce3 Ti 500 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 21,760 (GeForce3 Ti 500). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 104.8 TFLOPS (GeForce3 Ti 500). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 2407 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 170 (GeForce3 Ti 500) with 112 Tensor cores vs 680.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce3 Ti 500
G3D Mark Score	16,995+566400%	3
Architecture	Ampere	Blackwell 2.0
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	3584	21760+507%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	104.8 TFLOPS+723%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	2407 MHz+35%
ROPs	48	176+267%
TMUs	112	680+507%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	21.3 MB+509%
L2 Cache	3 MB	96 MB+3100%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	170+507%
Tensor Cores	112	680+507%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce3 Ti 500 supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce3 Ti 500
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
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 GeForce3 Ti 500 carries 512 MB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 2300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 and 64-bit on the GeForce3 Ti 500. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 96 MB (GeForce3 Ti 500) — the GeForce3 Ti 500 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce3 Ti 500
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+2300%	0.5 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB	96 MB+3100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 8.1 (GeForce3 Ti 500). Vulkan: 1.3 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 1.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce3 Ti 500
DirectX	12 Ultimate+48%	8.1
Vulkan	1.3	N/A
OpenGL	4.6+207%	1.5
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs None (GeForce3 Ti 500). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs MPEG-2. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG-2 (GeForce3 Ti 500).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce3 Ti 500
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	None
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	MPEG-2
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce3 Ti 500's 575W — a 108.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (GeForce3 Ti 500). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 183mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce3 Ti 500
TDP	170W-70%	575W
Recommended PSU	550W	350W-36%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	183mm
Height	112mm	0mm
Slots	2	1-50%
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80
Perf/Watt	100.0	0.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the GeForce3 Ti 500 launched at $349. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3060 was 5.7% cheaper ($20 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.0 (GeForce3 Ti 500) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 100+% better value. The newer card here is GeForce3 Ti 500 (2025 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	GeForce3 Ti 500
MSRP	$329-6%	$349
Performance per Dollar	51.7	0.0
Codename	GA106	GB202
Release	January 12 2021	January 30 2025
Ranking	#114	#3

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