GeForce RTX 3060 vs Quadro

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

✅425.8% more average FPS across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $671 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 933.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 5.0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌126.7% higher power demand at 170W vs 75W.

Quadro

1999

Why buy it

✅Draws 75W instead of 170W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 1999-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
204% HIGHER MSRP
$1,000 MSRPvs$329 MSRP

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Quadro

1999

Why buy it

✅425.8% more average FPS across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $671 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).
✅Delivers 933.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 5.0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,000 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).

Why buy it

✅Draws 75W instead of 170W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌126.7% higher power demand at 170W vs 75W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Poor future-proofing: 1999-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already a legacy-tier option for modern games.
❌
204% HIGHER MSRP
$1,000 MSRPvs$329 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than Quadro?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 3060 averages 425.8% more FPS across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 5,000 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Quadro is a 1999 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 a newer 2021 generation instead of 1999, 239.9% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 2 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 about $671 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $1,000 MSRP, and you are getting 425.8% more estimated average FPS across 44 tracked games in our benchmark data and 239.9% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 933.1%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is Quadro still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. Quadro is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $1,000 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.

GeForce RTX 3060 Benchmark Check

Quadro Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
1080p
low	149 FPS	19 FPS
medium	131 FPS	12 FPS
high	118 FPS	7 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	4 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	13 FPS
medium	104 FPS	7 FPS
high	92 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	2 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	5 FPS
medium	58 FPS	3 FPS
high	39 FPS	2 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	1 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
1080p
low	354 FPS	29 FPS
medium	310 FPS	13 FPS
high	249 FPS	9 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	6 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	9 FPS
medium	196 FPS	4 FPS
high	160 FPS	3 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	2 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	3 FPS
medium	94 FPS	1 FPS
high	77 FPS	1 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	1 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
1080p
low	765 FPS	225 FPS
medium	612 FPS	180 FPS
high	510 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	112 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	169 FPS
medium	432 FPS	135 FPS
high	366 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	84 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	105 FPS
medium	298 FPS	90 FPS
high	221 FPS	69 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	50 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
1080p
low	523 FPS	138 FPS
medium	452 FPS	109 FPS
high	383 FPS	76 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	48 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	81 FPS
medium	371 FPS	60 FPS
high	298 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	30 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	43 FPS
medium	259 FPS	30 FPS
high	225 FPS	23 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	15 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

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

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.

Quadro

The Quadro is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in 1999. It features the Celsius architecture. The core clock speed is 135 MHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 220 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Quadro's 5,000 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 239.9%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Quadro uses Celsius, both on 8 nm vs 220 nm.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
G3D Mark Score	16,995+240%	5,000
Architecture	Ampere	Celsius
Process Node	8 nm	220 nm
ROPs	48+1100%	4
TMUs	112+2700%	4

✨

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

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
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 Quadro has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 64-bit.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+500%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 1.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
Max Displays	4+300%	1

🎬

Media & Encoding

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

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

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Quadro's 75W — a 77.6% difference. The Quadro is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (Quadro). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro
TDP	170W	75W-56%
Recommended PSU	550W	350W-36%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	—
Height	112mm	—
Slots	2	1-50%
Temp (Load)	75	—
Perf/Watt	100.0+50%	66.7

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the Quadro launched at $1000. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 67.1% less ($671 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 5.0 (Quadro) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 934% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 1999).