GeForce RTX 3060 vs RADEON 9800 XT

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 RADEON 9800 XT 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 RADEON 9800 XT: 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

✅14548.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $170 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 45122.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅4700% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

❌34.4% longer card at 242mm vs 180mm.

RADEON 9800 XT

2022

Why buy it

✅Measures 180mm instead of 242mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.
✅More future proof: RDNA 3.0 (2022−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
❌GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
51.7% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$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 14548.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 29715.8% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 57), 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 256 MB of VRAM. 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 to buy today. It is $170 cheaper on MSRP at $329 vs $499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 45122.1% (51.7 vs 0.1), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs RADEON 9800 XT 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.

RADEON 9800 XT

The RADEON 9800 XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 3 2022. It features the RDNA 3.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1387 MHz to 2394 MHz. It has 5376 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 84 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 57 points. Launch price was $899.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the RADEON 9800 XT's 57 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 29715.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the RADEON 9800 XT uses RDNA 3.0, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 5,376 (RADEON 9800 XT). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 51.48 TFLOPS (RADEON 9800 XT). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 2394 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 84 (RADEON 9800 XT) with 112 Tensor cores.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RADEON 9800 XT
G3D Mark Score	16,995+29716%	57
Architecture	Ampere	RDNA 3.0
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	3584	5376+50%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	51.48 TFLOPS+304%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	2394 MHz+35%
ROPs	48	192+300%
TMUs	112	336+200%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB+17%	3 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	84+200%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The RADEON 9800 XT leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RADEON 9800 XT
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the RADEON 9800 XT carries 256 MB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 4700% 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 RADEON 9800 XT. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 6 MB (RADEON 9800 XT) — the RADEON 9800 XT has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RADEON 9800 XT
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+4700%	0.25 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	192-bit+200%	64-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB	6 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 9_0 (RADEON 9800 XT). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RADEON 9800 XT
DirectX	12 Ultimate+33%	9_0
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the RADEON 9800 XT's 300W — a 55.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (RADEON 9800 XT). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Legacy. Card length: 242mm vs 180mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RADEON 9800 XT
TDP	170W-43%	300W
Recommended PSU	550W	350W-36%
Power Connector	8-pin	Legacy
Length	242mm	180mm
Height	112mm	—
Slots	2	1-50%
Temp (Load)	75	—
Perf/Watt	100.0+49900%	0.2

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Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3060 came in at $329, while the RADEON 9800 XT launched at $499. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3060 was 34.1% cheaper ($170 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.1 (RADEON 9800 XT) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 51600% better value. The newer card here is RADEON 9800 XT (2022 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RADEON 9800 XT
MSRP	$329-34%	$499
Performance per Dollar	51.7+51600%	0.1
Codename	GA106	Navi 31
Release	January 12 2021	November 3 2022
Ranking	#114	#21

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