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 3090 vs GeForce RTX 4060 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 3090 vs GeForce RTX 4060: 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 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅61.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅241.7% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 96).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌GeForce RTX 4060 is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌
401.3% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$299 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 65.4 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌204.3% higher power demand at 350W vs 115W.

GeForce RTX 4060

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,200 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 268.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 65.4 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
✅Draws 115W instead of 350W, a 235W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3090 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (96 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3090 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 61.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 36% in PassMark G3D (26,594 vs 19,548), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 4060 is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer feature stack, with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while GeForce RTX 3090 is limited to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm process instead of 8nm, and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 4060 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $1,200 cheaper on MSRP at $299 vs $1,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 268.5% (65.4 vs 17.7), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 3090 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 4060 Technical Specifications

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

GeForce RTX 3090

The GeForce RTX 3090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 82 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,594 points. Launch price was $1,499.

GeForce RTX 4060

The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3090 scores 26,594 versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 19,548 — the GeForce RTX 3090 leads by 36%. The GeForce RTX 3090 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4060 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060). Raw compute: 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060). Boost clocks: 1695 MHz vs 2460 MHz. Ray tracing: 82 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 24 (GeForce RTX 4060) with 328 Tensor cores vs 96.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060
G3D Mark Score	26,594+36%	19,548
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	10496+242%	3072
Compute (TFLOPS)	35.58 TFLOPS+135%	15.11 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1695 MHz	2460 MHz+45%
ROPs	112+133%	48
TMUs	328+242%	96
L1 Cache	10.3 MB+243%	3 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB	24 MB+300%
Ray Tracing Cores	82+242%	24
Tensor Cores	328+242%	96

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 4060 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The GeForce RTX 3090 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3090 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060
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 3090 has 24 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 3090 gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) — a 244.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Memory bus width is 384-bit on the GeForce RTX 3090 and 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 4060. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060
VRAM Capacity	24 GB+200%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	936 GB/s+244%	272 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+200%	128-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB	24 MB+300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3090) vs NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC 8th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3090 draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 115W — a 101.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 4060). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 312mm vs 240mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 73°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060
TDP	350W	115W-67%
Recommended PSU	750W	550W-27%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	8-pin
Length	312mm	240mm
Height	140mm	111mm
Slots	3	2-33%
Temp (Load)	85°C	73°C-14%
Perf/Watt	76.0	170.0+124%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3090 came in at $1499, while the GeForce RTX 4060 launched at $299. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 4060 was 80.1% cheaper ($1200 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 17.7 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 65.4 (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce RTX 4060 offers 269.5% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4060 (2023 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060
MSRP	$1499	$299-80%
Performance per Dollar	17.7	65.4+269%
Codename	GA102	AD107
Release	September 1 2020	May 18 2023
Ranking	#37	#84

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