GeForce RTX 3060 vs M1 8-Core GPU

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 M1 8-Core GPU 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 M1 8-Core GPU: 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

✅+239.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌466.7% higher power demand at 170W vs 30W.

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 30W instead of 170W, a 140W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB 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.
❌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 based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 239.9% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 5,000), 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 2 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, 28 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2021 generation instead of 2020. 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.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs M1 8-Core GPU 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.

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 5,000 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 239.9%. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 8 (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	M1 8-Core GPU
G3D Mark Score	16,995+240%	5,000
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	3584+44700%	8

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The M1 8-Core GPU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	M1 8-Core GPU
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 M1 8-Core GPU carries 2 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 500% 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 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) — a 429.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Memory bus width is 192-bit on the GeForce RTX 3060 and Unified on the M1 8-Core GPU.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	M1 8-Core GPU
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+500%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s+429%	68 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit	Unified

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs N/A (M1 8-Core GPU). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.1 (Rosetta 2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	M1 8-Core GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	N/A
OpenGL	4.6+12%	4.1 (Rosetta 2)
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs Apple M1 Video Decoder. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	M1 8-Core GPU
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	Apple M1 Video Encoder
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	Apple M1 Video Decoder
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 30W — a 140% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (M1 8-Core GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	M1 8-Core GPU
TDP	170W	30W-82%
Recommended PSU	550W	350W-36%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	—
Height	112mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75	—
Perf/Watt	100.0	166.7+67%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the M1 8-Core GPU launched at $0. On MSRP, M1 8-Core GPU was 100+% cheaper ($329 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	M1 8-Core GPU
MSRP	$329	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	51.7	Infinity
Codename	GA106	—
Release	January 12 2021	November 10 2020
Ranking	#114	#428

Search GeForce RTX 3060 on Amazon

Search M1 8-Core GPU on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.