GeForce RTX 3060 vs RTX A400

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

✅+184.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 16.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 44.3 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $135 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌240% higher power demand at 170W vs 50W.

RTX A400

2024

Why buy it

✅Costs $194 less on MSRP ($135 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 50W instead of 170W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,983 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌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 44.3 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($135 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

RTX A400

2024

Why buy it

✅+184.1% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 16.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 44.3 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $135 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Costs $194 less on MSRP ($135 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 50W instead of 170W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌240% higher power demand at 170W vs 50W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,983 vs 16,995).
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌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 44.3 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($135 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than RTX A400?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 5,983 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while RTX A400 is a 2024 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 184.1% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 4 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 143.7% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $135 MSRP, and you are getting 184.1% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 16.6%. RTX A400 is the newer 2024 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture and lower power draw (50W vs 170W) than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does RTX A400 make more sense than GeForce RTX 3060?

Yes. RTX A400 is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (50W vs 170W), and staying closer to $135 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3060. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3060 currently gives you 184.1% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 16.6%.

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 A400 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A400
1080p
low	149 FPS	45 FPS
medium	131 FPS	31 FPS
high	118 FPS	23 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	11 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	36 FPS
medium	104 FPS	22 FPS
high	92 FPS	12 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	6 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	11 FPS
medium	58 FPS	8 FPS
high	39 FPS	5 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	3 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX A400

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A400
1080p
low	354 FPS	73 FPS
medium	310 FPS	48 FPS
high	249 FPS	32 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	22 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	46 FPS
medium	196 FPS	25 FPS
high	160 FPS	19 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	14 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	23 FPS
medium	94 FPS	14 FPS
high	77 FPS	11 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	8 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX A400

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A400
1080p
low	765 FPS	269 FPS
medium	612 FPS	215 FPS
high	510 FPS	179 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	135 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	202 FPS
medium	432 FPS	162 FPS
high	366 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	101 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	135 FPS
medium	298 FPS	108 FPS
high	221 FPS	90 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	67 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX A400

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A400
1080p
low	523 FPS	147 FPS
medium	452 FPS	117 FPS
high	383 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	79 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	108 FPS
medium	371 FPS	87 FPS
high	298 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	58 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	63 FPS
medium	259 FPS	50 FPS
high	225 FPS	40 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	29 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX A400

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX A400

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 A400

The RTX A400 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 16 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 727 MHz to 1762 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 6 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,983 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the RTX A400's 5,983 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 184.1%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the RTX A400 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 768 (RTX A400). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2.706 TFLOPS (RTX A400). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1762 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 6 (RTX A400) with 112 Tensor cores vs 24.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A400
G3D Mark Score	16,995+184%	5,983
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	3584+367%	768
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS+371%	2.706 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	1762 MHz
ROPs	48+200%	16
TMUs	112+367%	24
Ray Tracing Cores	28+367%	6
Tensor Cores	112+367%	24

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The RTX A400 supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A400
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the RTX A400 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A400
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+200%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Bus Width	192-bit+50%	128-bit

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the RTX A400's 50W — a 109.1% difference. The RTX A400 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (RTX A400). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A400
TDP	170W	50W-71%
Recommended PSU	550W	350W-36%
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	—
Height	112mm	—
Slots	2	—
Temp (Load)	75	—
Perf/Watt	100.0	119.7+20%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the RTX A400 launched at $135. The RTX A400 costs 59% less ($194 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 44.3 (RTX A400) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 16.7% better value. The RTX A400 is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2021).