GeForce RTX 3060 vs GRID K1

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
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VS

GRID K1

2013Core: 745 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3060 vs GRID K1 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 GRID K1: 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

  • +2510.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Costs $3,811 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $4,140 MSRP).
  • Delivers 32750.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $4,140 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 clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

GRID K1

2013

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (651 vs 16,995).
  • Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • 2013 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • 1158.4% HIGHER MSRP
    $4,140 MSRPvs$329 MSRP

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 2510.6% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 651), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
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, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, and 28 vs 0 ray-tracing units. 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 $3,811 cheaper on MSRP at $329 vs $4,140, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 32750.7% (51.7 vs 0.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs GRID K1 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

GRID K1

The GRID K1 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 11 2013. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock speed is 745 MHz. It has 1536 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 225W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 651 points. Launch price was $5,199.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GRID K1's 651 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 2510.6%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GRID K1 uses Kepler, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1,536 (GRID K1). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2.289 TFLOPS ×2 (GRID K1).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GRID K1
G3D Mark Score
16,995+2511%
651
Architecture
Ampere
Kepler
Process Node
8 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
3584+133%
1536 ×2
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+457%
2.289 TFLOPS ×2
ROPs
48+50%
32 ×2
TMUs
112
128 ×2+14%
L1 Cache
3.5 MB+2592%
0.13 MB
L2 Cache
3 MB+500%
0.5 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The GRID K1 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GRID K1
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the GRID K1 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 GRID K1. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.5 MB (GRID K1) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GRID K1
VRAM Capacity
12 GB+2300%
0.5 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Bus Width
192-bit+200%
64-bit
L2 Cache
3 MB+500%
0.5 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12_0 (GRID K1). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GRID K1
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12_0
Max Displays
4
0
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GRID K1's 225W — a 27.8% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (GRID K1). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GRID K1
TDP
170W-24%
225W
Recommended PSU
550W
350W-36%
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
242mm
267mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75
Perf/Watt
100.0+3348%
2.9
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the GRID K1 launched at $4140. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3060 was 92.1% cheaper ($3811 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.2 (GRID K1) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 25750% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2013).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060GRID K1
MSRP
$329-92%
$4140
Performance per Dollar
51.7+25750%
0.2
Codename
GA106
GK104
Release
January 12 2021
May 11 2013
Ranking
#114
#611

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