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 Quadro NVS 420 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 Quadro NVS 420: 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

✅4782.7% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅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).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌70% higher power demand at 170W vs 100W.
❌51.2% longer card at 242mm vs 160mm.

Quadro NVS 420

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 100W instead of 170W, a 70W reduction.
✅Measures 160mm instead of 242mm, a 82mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2018 hardware with 4 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌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. In our data, it leads by 4782.7% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 12305.1% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 137), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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 4 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 16nm, 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs Quadro NVS 420 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.

Quadro NVS 420

The Quadro NVS 420 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 21 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1227 MHz to 1647 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 137 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Quadro NVS 420's 137 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 12305.1%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Quadro NVS 420 uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2,304 (Quadro NVS 420). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 7.589 TFLOPS (Quadro NVS 420). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1647 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro NVS 420
G3D Mark Score	16,995+12305%	137
Architecture	Ampere	Pascal
Process Node	8 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	3584+56%	2304
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS+68%	7.589 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+8%	1647 MHz
ROPs	48	64+33%
TMUs	112	144+29%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB+317%	0.84 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro NVS 420 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro NVS 420
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 Quadro NVS 420 carries 4 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 200% 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 Quadro NVS 420. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2 MB (Quadro NVS 420) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro NVS 420
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+200%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 10_0 (Quadro NVS 420). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro NVS 420
DirectX	12 Ultimate+20%	10_0
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs PureVideo HD (Quadro NVS 420). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs PureVideo HD.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro NVS 420
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	PureVideo HD
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	PureVideo HD
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	—

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Quadro NVS 420's 100W — a 51.9% difference. The Quadro NVS 420 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (Quadro NVS 420). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro NVS 420
TDP	170W	100W-41%
Recommended PSU	550W	350W-36%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	160mm
Height	112mm	—
Slots	2	1-50%
Temp (Load)	75	—
Perf/Watt	100.0+7043%	1.4

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the Quadro NVS 420 launched at $0. On MSRP, Quadro NVS 420 was 100+% cheaper ($329 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs Infinity (Quadro NVS 420) — the Quadro NVS 420 offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3060 (2021 vs 2018).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro NVS 420
MSRP	$329	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	51.7	Infinity
Codename	GA106	GP104
Release	January 12 2021	February 21 2018
Ranking	#114	#266

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