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

✅22.5% 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).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌112.5% higher power demand at 170W vs 80W.

Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

2019

Why buy it

✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅Draws 80W instead of 170W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

2019

Why buy it

✅22.5% 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).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅Draws 80W instead of 170W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌112.5% higher power demand at 170W vs 80W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 22.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 39.6% higher PassMark G3D performance, and 12 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2021 instead of 2019, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

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 2019, 39.6% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB, and the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. 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 priced in an unclear MSRP range at $329 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 22.5% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 39.6% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around an unclear 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 4000 with Max-Q Design Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
1080p
low	149 FPS	127 FPS
medium	131 FPS	109 FPS
high	118 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	62 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	103 FPS
medium	104 FPS	85 FPS
high	92 FPS	65 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	45 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	45 FPS
medium	58 FPS	39 FPS
high	39 FPS	28 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	23 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
1080p
low	354 FPS	174 FPS
medium	310 FPS	139 FPS
high	249 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	134 FPS
medium	196 FPS	105 FPS
high	160 FPS	90 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	74 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	78 FPS
medium	94 FPS	63 FPS
high	77 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	40 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
1080p
low	765 FPS	548 FPS
medium	612 FPS	438 FPS
high	510 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	274 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	411 FPS
medium	432 FPS	329 FPS
high	366 FPS	274 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	205 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	274 FPS
medium	298 FPS	219 FPS
high	221 FPS	183 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	137 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
1080p
low	523 FPS	247 FPS
medium	452 FPS	214 FPS
high	383 FPS	172 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	145 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	189 FPS
medium	371 FPS	167 FPS
high	298 FPS	131 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	108 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	112 FPS
medium	259 FPS	94 FPS
high	225 FPS	76 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	58 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design

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 4000 with Max-Q Design

The Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 27 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 780 MHz to 1380 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 80W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,173 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design's 12,173 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 39.6%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design uses Turing, both on 8 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2,560 (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 7.066 TFLOPS (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1380 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 40 (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design) with 112 Tensor cores vs 320.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
G3D Mark Score	16,995+40%	12,173
Architecture	Ampere	Turing
Process Node	8 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	3584+40%	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS+80%	7.066 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+29%	1380 MHz
ROPs	48	64+33%
TMUs	112	160+43%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB+40%	2.5 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	40+43%
Tensor Cores	112	320+186%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3060 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 50% 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 4 MB (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design) — the Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+50%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.2 (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
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 7th Gen NVENC (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). 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 4000 with Max-Q Design).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
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 4000 with Max-Q Design's 80W — a 72% difference. The Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 500W (Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	Quadro RTX 4000 with Max-Q Design
TDP	170W	80W-53%
Recommended PSU	550W	500W-9%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	0mm
Height	112mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	100.0	152.2+52%