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

✅Costs $1,670 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 399.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 10.3 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (16,995 vs 20,669).
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌142.9% higher power demand at 170W vs 70W.

RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

2023

Why buy it

✅+21.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 170W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌
507.6% HIGHER MSRP
$1,999 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 10.3 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,670 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 399.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 10.3 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $1,999 MSRP).
✅500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅+21.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 70W instead of 170W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (16,995 vs 20,669).
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌142.9% higher power demand at 170W vs 70W.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌
507.6% HIGHER MSRP
$1,999 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 10.3 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($1,999 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation better than GeForce RTX 3060?

Yes. RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 21.6% higher PassMark G3D performance and 192 vs 112 Tensor cores. It also comes from 2023 instead of 2021, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2021, 21.6% more raw performance headroom, better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of DLSS Super Resolution, and a 5nm process instead of 8nm. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is about 507.6% more expensive on MSRP at $1,999 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and you are getting 21.6% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3060 still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

Is GeForce RTX 3060 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $329 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

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

RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
1080p
low	149 FPS	102 FPS
medium	131 FPS	87 FPS
high	118 FPS	70 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	48 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	81 FPS
medium	104 FPS	68 FPS
high	92 FPS	49 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	33 FPS
medium	58 FPS	30 FPS
high	39 FPS	22 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	20 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
1080p
low	354 FPS	279 FPS
medium	310 FPS	221 FPS
high	249 FPS	177 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	155 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	203 FPS
medium	196 FPS	154 FPS
high	160 FPS	126 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	103 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	93 FPS
medium	94 FPS	72 FPS
high	77 FPS	62 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	48 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
1080p
low	765 FPS	465 FPS
medium	612 FPS	404 FPS
high	510 FPS	341 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	288 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	339 FPS
medium	432 FPS	295 FPS
high	366 FPS	256 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	208 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	229 FPS
medium	298 FPS	192 FPS
high	221 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	113 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
1080p
low	523 FPS	208 FPS
medium	452 FPS	171 FPS
high	383 FPS	151 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	119 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	146 FPS
medium	371 FPS	124 FPS
high	298 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	87 FPS
medium	259 FPS	72 FPS
high	225 FPS	58 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	43 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

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.

RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

The RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 720 MHz to 1560 MHz. It has 6144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 48 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,669 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation's 20,669 — the RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation leads by 21.6%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 6,144 (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 19.17 TFLOPS (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1560 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 48 (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation) with 112 Tensor cores vs 192.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
G3D Mark Score	16,995	20,669+22%
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	3584	6144+71%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	19.17 TFLOPS+50%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+14%	1560 MHz
ROPs	48	64+33%
TMUs	112	192+71%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	6 MB+71%
L2 Cache	3 MB	48 MB+1500%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	48+71%
Tensor Cores	112	192+71%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation 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 RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
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 RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 280 GB/s (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation) — a 28.6% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 160-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 48 MB (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation) — the RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+500%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6 ECC
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s+29%	280 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit+20%	160-bit
L2 Cache	3 MB	48 MB+1500%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.2 (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
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 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation). 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,AV1 (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation's 70W — a 83.3% difference. The RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 750W (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation
TDP	170W	70W-59%
Recommended PSU	550W-27%	750W
Power Connector	8-pin	1x 8-pin
Length	242mm	267mm
Height	112mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	100.0	295.3+195%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation launched at $1999. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 83.5% less ($1670 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 10.3 (RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 401.9% better value. The RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2021).