GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs M1 8-Core GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

2023Core: 2310 MHzBoost: 2535 MHz
VS

M1 8-Core GPU

2020Core: 1278 MHz

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs M1 8-Core GPU 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 M1 8-Core 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 4060 Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • +248% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 2 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 433.3% higher power demand at 160W vs 30W.

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 30W instead of 160W, a 130W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 17,400).
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • 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.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 248% in PassMark G3D (17,400 vs 5,000), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
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 2 GB of VRAM, the newer feature stack, with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023), while M1 8-Core GPU is limited to no meaningful modern upscaling stack and no comparable frame-generation support, 34 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU vs M1 8-Core GPU 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.

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU scores 17,400 versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 5,000 — the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU leads by 248%. Shader units: 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 8 (M1 8-Core GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUM1 8-Core GPU
G3D Mark Score
17,400+248%
5,000
Process Node
5 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
4352+54300%
8

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 M1 8-Core GPU does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The M1 8-Core GPU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUM1 8-Core GPU
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
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU has 8 GB of VRAM, while the M1 8-Core GPU carries 2 GB. GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU gives you 300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 256 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) — a 276.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU and Unified on the M1 8-Core GPU.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUM1 8-Core GPU
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+300%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
256 GB/s+276%
68 GB/s
Bus Width
128-bit
Unified
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs N/A (M1 8-Core GPU). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.1 (Rosetta 2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUM1 8-Core GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
N/A
OpenGL
4.6+12%
4.1 (Rosetta 2)
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (8th Gen) (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs Apple M1 Video Decoder. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUM1 8-Core GPU
Encoder
NVENC (8th Gen)
Apple M1 Video Encoder
Decoder
NVDEC (5th Gen)
Apple M1 Video Decoder
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9
H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU draws 160W versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 30W — a 136.8% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU) vs 350W (M1 8-Core GPU). Power connectors: Mobile vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUM1 8-Core GPU
TDP
160W
30W-81%
Recommended PSU
650W
350W-46%
Power Connector
Mobile
PCIe-powered
Slots
0
0
Temp (Load)
80°C
Perf/Watt
108.8
166.7+53%
💰

Value Analysis

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

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUM1 8-Core GPU
MSRP
$0
Codename
AD106
Release
May 18 2023
November 10 2020
Ranking
#59
#428

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