GeForce RTX 3060 vs RTX A500 Embedded GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
RTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

RTX A500 Embedded GPU

2022Core: 435 MHzBoost: 1335 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3060 vs RTX A500 Embedded GPU Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

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 RTX A500 Embedded GPU 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 RTX A500 Embedded GPU: 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

  • 132.1% 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).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 4 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 750% higher power demand at 170W vs 20W.
  • 195.1% longer card at 242mm vs 82mm.

RTX A500 Embedded GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • Draws 20W instead of 170W, a 150W reduction.
  • Measures 82mm instead of 242mm, a 160mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $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 132.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 174.2% in PassMark G3D (16,995 vs 6,197), 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 4 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, and 28 vs 16 ray-tracing units. 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce RTX 3060 vs RTX A500 Embedded GPU Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

RTX A500 Embedded GPU

The RTX A500 Embedded GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 30 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 435 MHz to 1335 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 20W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 16 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,197 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the RTX A500 Embedded GPU's 6,197 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 174.2%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the RTX A500 Embedded GPU uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2,048 (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 5.468 TFLOPS (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1335 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 16 (RTX A500 Embedded GPU) with 112 Tensor cores vs 64.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A500 Embedded GPU
G3D Mark Score
16,995+174%
6,197
Architecture
Ampere
Ampere
Process Node
8 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
3584+75%
2048
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+133%
5.468 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+33%
1335 MHz
ROPs
48+50%
32
TMUs
112+75%
64
L1 Cache
3.5 MB+75%
2 MB
L2 Cache
3 MB+50%
2 MB
Ray Tracing Cores
28+75%
16
Tensor Cores
112+75%
64

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The RTX A500 Embedded GPU supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A500 Embedded GPU
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB of VRAM, while the RTX A500 Embedded GPU carries 4 GB. GeForce RTX 3060 gives you 200% 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 128-bit on the RTX A500 Embedded GPU. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2 MB (RTX A500 Embedded GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A500 Embedded GPU
VRAM Capacity
12 GB+200%
4 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Bus Width
192-bit+50%
128-bit
L2 Cache
3 MB+50%
2 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12_2 (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A500 Embedded GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12_2
Max Displays
4
0
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC 7th Gen (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC 5th Gen.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A500 Embedded GPU
Encoder
NVENC 7th Gen
NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder
NVDEC 5th Gen
NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the RTX A500 Embedded GPU's 20W — a 157.9% difference. The RTX A500 Embedded GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (RTX A500 Embedded GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 82mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A500 Embedded GPU
TDP
170W
20W-88%
Recommended PSU
550W
350W-36%
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
242mm
82mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75
Perf/Watt
100.0
309.9+210%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is RTX A500 Embedded GPU (2022 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A500 Embedded GPU
MSRP
$329
Codename
GA106
GA107S
Release
January 12 2021
March 30 2022
Ranking
#114
#389

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