GeForce RTX 3060 vs Intel UHD Graphics

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’
VS
Intel

Intel UHD Graphics

2021Core: 350 MHzBoost: 750 MHz

Popular choices:

β€’RTX 3060β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’

Performance Spectrum - GPU

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…+1024.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • βœ…Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • βœ…Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • βœ…100+% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs Unknown).
  • βœ…More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • ❌1600% higher power demand at 170W vs 10W.

Intel UHD Graphics

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 10W instead of 170W, a 160W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (1,511 vs 16,995).
  • ❌Less VRAM, with Unknown vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • ❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • ❌Very weak future-proofing: 2021-era hardware with Unknown of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
  • ❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than Intel UHD Graphics?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 1,511 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Intel UHD Graphics is a 2021 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 1024.8% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of Unknown, better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, and a 8nm process instead of 10nm. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3060 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3060 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $329 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 1024.8% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.
Is Intel UHD Graphics still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. Intel UHD Graphics is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still fine for 1080p, but 1440p and especially 4K require more compromise. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around an unclear MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3060 is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
1080p
low149 FPS30 FPS
medium131 FPS22 FPS
high118 FPS14 FPS
ultra99 FPS8 FPS
1440p
low126 FPS22 FPS
medium104 FPS14 FPS
high92 FPS7 FPS
ultra80 FPS4 FPS
4K
low67 FPS9 FPS
medium58 FPS6 FPS
high39 FPS3 FPS
ultra32 FPS2 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
1080p
low354 FPS68 FPS
medium310 FPS49 FPS
high249 FPS33 FPS
ultra195 FPS23 FPS
1440p
low222 FPS48 FPS
medium196 FPS26 FPS
high160 FPS19 FPS
ultra128 FPS14 FPS
4K
low110 FPS23 FPS
medium94 FPS14 FPS
high77 FPS11 FPS
ultra60 FPS8 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
1080p
low765 FPS68 FPS
medium612 FPS54 FPS
high510 FPS45 FPS
ultra382 FPS34 FPS
1440p
low535 FPS51 FPS
medium432 FPS41 FPS
high366 FPS34 FPS
ultra287 FPS25 FPS
4K
low367 FPS34 FPS
medium298 FPS27 FPS
high221 FPS23 FPS
ultra176 FPS17 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
1080p
low523 FPS68 FPS
medium452 FPS54 FPS
high383 FPS45 FPS
ultra319 FPS34 FPS
1440p
low428 FPS15 FPS
medium371 FPS12 FPS
high298 FPS12 FPS
ultra245 FPS9 FPS
4K
low279 FPS11 FPS
medium259 FPS8 FPS
high225 FPS7 FPS
ultra186 FPS5 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and Intel UHD Graphics

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.

Intel

Intel UHD Graphics

The Intel UHD Graphics is manufactured by Intel. It was released in January 11 2021. It features the Generation 11.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 350 MHz to 750 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 10 nm+ process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,511 points.

⚑

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Intel UHD Graphics's 1,511 β€” the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 1024.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Intel UHD Graphics uses Generation 11.0, both on 8 nm vs 10 nm+. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 256 (Intel UHD Graphics). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.384 TFLOPS (Intel UHD Graphics). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 750 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
G3D Mark Score
16,995+1025%
1,511
Architecture
Ampere
Generation 11.0
Process Node
8 nm
10 nm+
Shading Units
3584+1300%
256
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+3218%
0.384 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+137%
750 MHz
ROPs
48+500%
8
TMUs
112+600%
16
✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Intel UHD Graphics relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
πŸ’Ύ

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Intel UHD Graphics has 0 MB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 100+% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs System.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
VRAM Capacity
12 GB
Shared System RAM
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
360 GB/s
System
Bus Width
192-bit
System
πŸ”Œ

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Intel UHD Graphics's 10W β€” a 177.8% difference. The Intel UHD Graphics is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1W (Intel UHD Graphics). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Integrated.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
TDP
170W
10W-94%
Recommended PSU
550W
1W-100%
Power Connector
8-pin
Integrated
Length
242mm
β€”
Height
112mm
β€”
Slots
2
β€”
Temp (Load)
75
β€”
Perf/Watt
100.0
151.1+51%
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the Intel UHD Graphics launched at $0. The Intel UHD Graphics costs 100+% less ($329 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs Infinity (Intel UHD Graphics) β€” the Intel UHD Graphics offers Infinity% better value.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Intel UHD Graphics
MSRP
$329
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
51.7
Infinity
Codename
GA106
Jasper Lake GT1
Release
January 12 2021
January 11 2021
Ranking
#114
#666