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 Laptop 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 3090 vs GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop 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 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅37.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 17.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅141.2% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 136).
✅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 Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
❌118.8% higher power demand at 350W vs 160W.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

✅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 160W instead of 350W, a 190W 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 (136 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 17.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).

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 37.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 52.8% in PassMark G3D (26,594 vs 17,400), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 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 3090 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and strong 1440p, GeForce RTX 3090 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 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 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2310 MHz to 2535 MHz. It has 4352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,400 points. Launch price was $399.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3090 scores 26,594 versus the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU's 17,400 — the GeForce RTX 3090 leads by 52.8%. The GeForce RTX 3090 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1695 MHz vs 2535 MHz. Ray tracing: 82 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 34 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) with 328 Tensor cores vs 136.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	26,594+53%	17,400
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	10496+141%	4352
Compute (TFLOPS)	35.58 TFLOPS+61%	22.06 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1695 MHz	2535 MHz+50%
ROPs	112+133%	48
TMUs	328+141%	136
L1 Cache	10.3 MB+140%	4.3 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB	32 MB+433%
Ray Tracing Cores	82+141%	34
Tensor Cores	328+141%	136

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 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 Laptop GPU 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 Laptop GPU
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 Laptop GPU 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 256 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) — a 265.6% 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 Laptop GPU. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	24 GB+200%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	936 GB/s+266%	256 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+200%	128-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB	32 MB+433%

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.4	1.4
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 Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC (8th Gen)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC (5th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3090 draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU's 160W — a 74.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
TDP	350W	160W-54%
Recommended PSU	750W	650W-13%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	Mobile
Length	312mm	—
Height	140mm	—
Slots	3	0-100%
Temp (Load)	85°C	80°C-6%
Perf/Watt	76.0	108.8+43%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (2023 vs 2020).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
MSRP	$1499	—
Codename	GA102	AD106
Release	September 1 2020	May 18 2023
Ranking	#37	#59

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