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

✅+56.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $471 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $800 MSRP).
✅Delivers 280.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 13.6 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $800 MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Quadro RTX 3000 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 576), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quadro RTX 3000

2018

Why buy it

✅1.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅414.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (576 vs 112).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,858 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 6 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
❌
143.2% HIGHER MSRP
$800 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($800 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Quadro RTX 3000

2018

Why buy it

✅+56.5% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $471 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $800 MSRP).
✅Delivers 280.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 13.6 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $800 MSRP).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅1.6% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅414.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (576 vs 112).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than Quadro RTX 3000 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 576), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (10,858 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 6 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
❌
143.2% HIGHER MSRP
$800 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 13.6 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($800 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than Quadro RTX 3000?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. Quadro RTX 3000 averages 1.6% more FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 10,858 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Quadro RTX 3000 is a 2018 model from an older generation with DLSS Super Resolution. 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 2018, 56.5% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 6 GB, and a 8nm process instead of 12nm. 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 $471 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $800 MSRP, and you are getting lower estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and 56.5% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 280.6%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is Quadro RTX 3000 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. Quadro RTX 3000 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 $800 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 RTX 3000 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
1080p
low	149 FPS	123 FPS
medium	131 FPS	113 FPS
high	118 FPS	98 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	84 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	106 FPS
medium	104 FPS	91 FPS
high	92 FPS	77 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	68 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	56 FPS
medium	58 FPS	50 FPS
high	39 FPS	41 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	37 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro RTX 3000

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
1080p
low	354 FPS	451 FPS
medium	310 FPS	391 FPS
high	249 FPS	317 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	244 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	296 FPS
medium	196 FPS	244 FPS
high	160 FPS	211 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	173 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	143 FPS
medium	94 FPS	126 FPS
high	77 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	86 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro RTX 3000

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
1080p
low	765 FPS	489 FPS
medium	612 FPS	391 FPS
high	510 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	244 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	366 FPS
medium	432 FPS	293 FPS
high	366 FPS	244 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	183 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	244 FPS
medium	298 FPS	195 FPS
high	221 FPS	163 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	122 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro RTX 3000

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
1080p
low	523 FPS	489 FPS
medium	452 FPS	391 FPS
high	383 FPS	326 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	244 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	366 FPS
medium	371 FPS	293 FPS
high	298 FPS	244 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	183 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	244 FPS
medium	259 FPS	195 FPS
high	225 FPS	163 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	122 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro RTX 3000

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and Quadro RTX 3000

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 RTX 3000

The Quadro RTX 3000 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 13 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1770 MHz. It has 4608 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 260W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 72 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,858 points. Launch price was $9,999.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Quadro RTX 3000's 10,858 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 56.5%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Quadro RTX 3000 uses Turing, both on 8 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 4,608 (Quadro RTX 3000). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 16.31 TFLOPS (Quadro RTX 3000). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1770 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 72 (Quadro RTX 3000) with 112 Tensor cores vs 576.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
G3D Mark Score	16,995+57%	10,858
Architecture	Ampere	Turing
Process Node	8 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	3584	4608+29%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	16.31 TFLOPS+28%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	1770 MHz
ROPs	48	96+100%
TMUs	112	288+157%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	4.5 MB+29%
L2 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	72+157%
Tensor Cores	112	576+414%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro RTX 3000 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 6 MB (Quadro RTX 3000) — the Quadro RTX 3000 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+100%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.1 (Quadro RTX 3000). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.0. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.1
Vulkan	1.3+30%	1.0
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 7th Gen NVENC (Quadro RTX 3000). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Quadro RTX 3000).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	7th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Quadro RTX 3000's 260W — a 41.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 500W (Quadro RTX 3000). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 3000
TDP	170W-35%	260W
Recommended PSU	550W	500W-9%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	0mm
Height	112mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75-12%	85°C
Perf/Watt	100.0+139%	41.8

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the Quadro RTX 3000 launched at $800. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 58.9% less ($471 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 13.6 (Quadro RTX 3000) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 280.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2018).