GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce3

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023Core: 2310 MHzBoost: 2535 MHz
RTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce3

2015Core: 928 MHzBoost: 941 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce3 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 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce3 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 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce3: 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 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • 17338.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 12598.4% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 65 MB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 0.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • 384.8% higher power demand at 160W vs 33W.

GeForce3

2015

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 0.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Draws 33W instead of 160W, a 127W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 65 MB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 2015 hardware with 65 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 17338.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 347900% in PassMark G3D (17,400 vs 5), 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: 8 GB vs 65 MB of VRAM, the newer feature stack, with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while GeForce3 is limited to no meaningful modern upscaling stack and no comparable frame-generation support, a 5nm process instead of 28nm, and 34 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce3 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce3 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 4060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce3 Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce3

The GeForce3 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU scores 17,400 versus the GeForce3's 5 — the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU leads by 347900%. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce3 uses Maxwell, both on 5 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 384 (GeForce3). Raw compute: 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce3). Boost clocks: 2535 MHz vs 941 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce3
G3D Mark Score
17,400+347900%
5
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
Maxwell
Process Node
5 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
4352+1033%
384
Compute (TFLOPS)
22.06 TFLOPS+2952%
0.7227 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
2535 MHz+169%
941 MHz
ROPs
48+500%
8
TMUs
136+467%
24
L1 Cache
4.3 MB+2163%
0.19 MB
L2 Cache
32 MB+3100%
1 MB

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 GeForce3 does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce3 supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is capped at DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce3
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
Yes (DLSS 3.5)
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce3 carries 65 MB. GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU gives you 12598.4% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and 64-bit on the GeForce3. L2 Cache: 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 1 MB (GeForce3) — the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce3
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+12598%
0.063 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Bus Width
128-bit+100%
64-bit
L2 Cache
32 MB+3100%
1 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 8.1 (GeForce3). Vulkan: 1.4 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 1.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce3
DirectX
12 Ultimate+48%
8.1
Vulkan
1.4
N/A
OpenGL
4.6+254%
1.3
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (8th Gen) (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs None (GeForce3). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs None. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce3).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce3
Encoder
NVENC (8th Gen)
None
Decoder
NVDEC (5th Gen)
None
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9
MPEG-1,MPEG-2
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU draws 160W versus the GeForce3's 33W — a 131.6% difference. The GeForce3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (GeForce3). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce3
TDP
160W
33W-79%
Recommended PSU
650W
350W-46%
Power Connector
Mobile
PCIe-powered
Length
165mm
Height
100mm
Slots
0-100%
1
Temp (Load)
80°C-6%
85
Perf/Watt
108.8+54300%
0.2
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (2023 vs 2015).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUGeForce3
MSRP
$499
Codename
AD106
GM108
Release
May 18 2023
March 13 2015
Ranking
#59
#810

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