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 $6,670 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $6,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1067.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 4.4 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $6,999 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅Draws 170W instead of 300W, a 130W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 48 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 440), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell

2025

Why buy it

✅78.3% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅292.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (440 vs 112).
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (48 GB vs 12 GB).
✅More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌
2027.4% HIGHER MSRP
$6,999 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 4.4 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($6,999 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌76.5% higher power demand at 300W vs 170W.
❌10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell

2025

Why buy it

✅Costs $6,670 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $6,999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1067.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 4.4 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs $6,999 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅Draws 170W instead of 300W, a 130W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 267mm, a 25mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅78.3% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅292.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (440 vs 112).
✅300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (48 GB vs 12 GB).
✅More future proof: Blackwell 2.0 (2025−2026) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 48 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 440), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌
2027.4% HIGHER MSRP
$6,999 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 4.4 vs 51.7 G3D/$ ($6,999 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌76.5% higher power demand at 300W vs 170W.
❌10.3% longer card at 267mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell better than GeForce RTX 3060?

Yes. RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 78.3% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data, 82.2% higher PassMark G3D performance, 440 vs 112 Tensor cores, and 48 GB vs 12 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2025 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 PRO 5000 Blackwell is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2025 generation instead of 2021, 82.2% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 48 GB instead of 12 GB, and the stronger feature stack with no meaningful modern upscaling stack instead of DLSS Super Resolution. 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?

RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell is about 2027.4% more expensive on MSRP at $6,999 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and you are getting 78.3% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and 82.2% 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 PRO 5000 Blackwell 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 PRO 5000 Blackwell 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 PRO 5000 Blackwell Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
1080p
low	149 FPS	275 FPS
medium	131 FPS	255 FPS
high	118 FPS	218 FPS
ultra	99 FPS	190 FPS
1440p
low	126 FPS	260 FPS
medium	104 FPS	216 FPS
high	92 FPS	172 FPS
ultra	80 FPS	155 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	179 FPS
medium	58 FPS	149 FPS
high	39 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	100 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
1080p
low	354 FPS	774 FPS
medium	310 FPS	613 FPS
high	249 FPS	462 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	396 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	605 FPS
medium	196 FPS	496 FPS
high	160 FPS	390 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	309 FPS
4K
low	110 FPS	322 FPS
medium	94 FPS	266 FPS
high	77 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	60 FPS	199 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
1080p
low	765 FPS	931 FPS
medium	612 FPS	762 FPS
high	510 FPS	689 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	597 FPS
1440p
low	535 FPS	721 FPS
medium	432 FPS	590 FPS
high	366 FPS	522 FPS
ultra	287 FPS	446 FPS
4K
low	367 FPS	501 FPS
medium	298 FPS	415 FPS
high	221 FPS	367 FPS
ultra	176 FPS	305 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
1080p
low	523 FPS	963 FPS
medium	452 FPS	883 FPS
high	383 FPS	774 FPS
ultra	319 FPS	697 FPS
1440p
low	428 FPS	748 FPS
medium	371 FPS	669 FPS
high	298 FPS	588 FPS
ultra	245 FPS	520 FPS
4K
low	279 FPS	556 FPS
medium	259 FPS	499 FPS
high	225 FPS	445 FPS
ultra	186 FPS	348 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Open RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell

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 PRO 5000 Blackwell

The RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 18 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1740 MHz to 2377 MHz. It has 14080 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 110 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 30,968 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell's 30,968 — the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell leads by 82.2%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 14,080 (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 66.94 TFLOPS (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 2377 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 110 (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell) with 112 Tensor cores vs 440.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
G3D Mark Score	16,995	30,968+82%
Architecture	Ampere	Blackwell 2.0
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	3584	14080+293%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	66.94 TFLOPS+425%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	2377 MHz+34%
ROPs	48	176+267%
TMUs	112	440+293%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	13.8 MB+294%
L2 Cache	3 MB	96 MB+3100%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	110+293%
Tensor Cores	112	440+293%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
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 PRO 5000 Blackwell has 48 GB. The RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1024 GB/s (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell) — a 184.4% advantage for the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell. Bus width: 192-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 96 MB (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell) — the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
VRAM Capacity	12 GB	48 GB+300%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR7
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s	1024 GB/s+184%
Bus Width	192-bit	384-bit+100%
L2 Cache	3 MB	96 MB+3100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 Ultimate (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
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 NVENC (9th Gen) (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC (6th Gen). Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
Encoder	NVENC 7th Gen	NVENC (9th Gen)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th Gen	NVDEC (6th Gen)
Codecs	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell's 300W — a 55.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 650W (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060	RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell
TDP	170W-43%	300W
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	PCIe-powered
Length	242mm	267mm
Height	112mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75	75
Perf/Watt	100.0	103.2+3%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP, while the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell launched at $6999. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 95.3% less ($6670 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 4.4 (RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 1075% better value. The RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2021).