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

✅+174.2% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅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).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform 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 PassMark G3D performance (6,197 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 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

RTX A500 Embedded GPU

2022

Why buy it

✅+174.2% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅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).
✅More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

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

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (6,197 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 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than RTX A500 Embedded GPU?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 6,197 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while RTX A500 Embedded GPU is a 2022 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 174.2% 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 priced in an unclear MSRP range at $329 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 174.2% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. RTX A500 Embedded GPU is the newer 2022 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture and lower power draw (20W vs 170W) than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does RTX A500 Embedded GPU make more sense than GeForce RTX 3060?

Yes. RTX A500 Embedded GPU 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 (20W vs 170W), and staying closer to an unclear MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3060. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3060 currently gives you 174.2% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%.

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 A500 Embedded GPU Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A500 Embedded GPU
1080p
low	149 FPS	81 FPS
medium	131 FPS	70 FPS
high	118 FPS	57 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	37 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	71 FPS
medium	104 FPS	62 FPS
high	92 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	28 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	26 FPS
medium	58 FPS	24 FPS
high	39 FPS	16 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	14 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX A500 Embedded GPU

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A500 Embedded GPU
1080p
low	354 FPS	115 FPS
medium	310 FPS	90 FPS
high	249 FPS	70 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	53 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	86 FPS
medium	196 FPS	64 FPS
high	160 FPS	52 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	40 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	51 FPS
medium	94 FPS	39 FPS
high	77 FPS	31 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	23 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX A500 Embedded GPU

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A500 Embedded GPU
1080p
low	765 FPS	279 FPS
medium	612 FPS	223 FPS
high	510 FPS	186 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	139 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	209 FPS
medium	432 FPS	167 FPS
high	366 FPS	139 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	105 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	139 FPS
medium	298 FPS	112 FPS
high	221 FPS	93 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	70 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX A500 Embedded GPU

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX A500 Embedded GPU
1080p
low	523 FPS	156 FPS
medium	452 FPS	127 FPS
high	383 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	89 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	112 FPS
medium	371 FPS	93 FPS
high	298 FPS	80 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	66 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	66 FPS
medium	259 FPS	54 FPS
high	225 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	32 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX A500 Embedded GPU

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX A500 Embedded GPU

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 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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 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 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the RTX A500 Embedded GPU 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. 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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 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.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX 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%