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

✅Costs $7,171 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $7,500 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1834.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 2.7 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $7,500 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅Draws 170W instead of 300W, a 130W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (16,995 vs 20,023).
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 48 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.

L40S

2022

Why buy it

✅+17.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (48 GB vs 12 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌
2179.6% HIGHER MSRP
$7,500 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 2.7 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($7,500 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌76.5% higher power demand at 300W vs 170W.
❌10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

L40S

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $7,171 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $7,500 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1834.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 2.7 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $7,500 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅Draws 170W instead of 300W, a 130W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅+17.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (48 GB vs 12 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (16,995 vs 20,023).
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 48 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌
2179.6% HIGHER MSRP
$7,500 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 2.7 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($7,500 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌76.5% higher power demand at 300W vs 170W.
❌10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is L40S better than GeForce RTX 3060?

Yes. L40S is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 17.8% higher PassMark G3D performance and 48 GB vs 12 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2022 instead of 2021, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

L40S is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2021, 17.8% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 48 GB instead of 12 GB, and the stronger feature stack with no meaningful modern upscaling stack instead of DLSS Super Resolution. 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?

L40S is about 2179.6% more expensive on MSRP at $7,500 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and you are getting 17.8% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, L40S is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3060 still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

Is GeForce RTX 3060 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $329 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, L40S earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

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.

GeForce RTX 3060 Benchmark Check

L40S Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
1080p
low	149 FPS	287 FPS
medium	131 FPS	256 FPS
high	118 FPS	216 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	136 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	256 FPS
medium	104 FPS	214 FPS
high	92 FPS	158 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	98 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	117 FPS
medium	58 FPS	98 FPS
high	39 FPS	68 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	59 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open L40S

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
1080p
low	354 FPS	784 FPS
medium	310 FPS	629 FPS
high	249 FPS	478 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	416 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	646 FPS
medium	196 FPS	528 FPS
high	160 FPS	411 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	332 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	338 FPS
medium	94 FPS	273 FPS
high	77 FPS	240 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	201 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open L40S

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
1080p
low	765 FPS	901 FPS
medium	612 FPS	721 FPS
high	510 FPS	601 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	451 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	676 FPS
medium	432 FPS	541 FPS
high	366 FPS	451 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	338 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	451 FPS
medium	298 FPS	360 FPS
high	221 FPS	300 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	225 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open L40S

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
1080p
low	523 FPS	483 FPS
medium	452 FPS	422 FPS
high	383 FPS	376 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	288 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	345 FPS
medium	371 FPS	312 FPS
high	298 FPS	274 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	209 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	224 FPS
medium	259 FPS	193 FPS
high	225 FPS	153 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	117 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open L40S

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and L40S

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.

L40S

The L40S is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 13 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1110 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 18176 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 142 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,023 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the L40S's 20,023 — the L40S leads by 17.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the L40S uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 18,176 (L40S). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 91.61 TFLOPS (L40S). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 142 (L40S) with 112 Tensor cores vs 568.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
G3D Mark Score	16,995	20,023+18%
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	3584	18176+407%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	91.61 TFLOPS+619%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	2520 MHz+42%
ROPs	48	192+300%
TMUs	112	568+407%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	17.8 MB+409%
L2 Cache	3 MB	48 MB+1500%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	142+407%
Tensor Cores	112	568+407%

✨

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 L40S relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
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 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the L40S has 48 GB. The L40S offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 960 GB/s (L40S) — a 166.7% advantage for the L40S. Bus width: 192-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 48 MB (L40S) — the L40S has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
VRAM Capacity	12 GB	48 GB+300%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s	960 GB/s+167%
Bus Width	192-bit	384-bit+100%
L2 Cache	3 MB	48 MB+1500%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.2 (L40S). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC 8th Gen (L40S). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265,AV1 (L40S).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	NVENC 8th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	H.264,H.265,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the L40S's 300W — a 55.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 800W (L40S). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 16-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	L40S
TDP	170W-43%	300W
Recommended PSU	550W-31%	800W
Power Connector	8-pin	16-pin
Length	242mm	267mm
Height	112mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75-12%	85°C
Perf/Watt	100.0+50%	66.7

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the L40S launched at $7500. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 95.6% less ($7171 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2.7 (L40S) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 1814.8% better value. The L40S is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2021).