GeForce RTX 4060 Ti vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

2023Core: 2310 MHzBoost: 2535 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

2023Core: 1110 MHzBoost: 1545 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4060 Ti

Performance Spectrum - GPU

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.

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 4060 Ti

2023

Why buy it

  • 14.2% more average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 56.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (136 vs 160), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • 60% higher power demand at 160W vs 100W.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • 17.6% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (160 vs 136).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
  • Draws 100W instead of 160W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4060 Ti across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 56.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $399 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4060 Ti better than RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU?
Yes. GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 14.2% more average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data, 15.2% higher PassMark G3D performance, and DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 15.2% more raw performance headroom and better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $399 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 14.2% more estimated average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data and 15.2% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.
Is RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around an unclear MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
1080p
low177 FPS143 FPS
medium162 FPS124 FPS
high142 FPS109 FPS
ultra124 FPS77 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS114 FPS
medium118 FPS95 FPS
high101 FPS76 FPS
ultra93 FPS53 FPS
4K
low93 FPS51 FPS
medium79 FPS44 FPS
high66 FPS33 FPS
ultra59 FPS28 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
1080p
low425 FPS379 FPS
medium359 FPS327 FPS
high292 FPS265 FPS
ultra237 FPS230 FPS
1440p
low270 FPS282 FPS
medium229 FPS236 FPS
high186 FPS190 FPS
ultra154 FPS156 FPS
4K
low117 FPS132 FPS
medium95 FPS113 FPS
high77 FPS95 FPS
ultra60 FPS72 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
1080p
low855 FPS826 FPS
medium693 FPS680 FPS
high609 FPS590 FPS
ultra510 FPS442 FPS
1440p
low660 FPS628 FPS
medium527 FPS510 FPS
high452 FPS442 FPS
ultra382 FPS332 FPS
4K
low447 FPS406 FPS
medium355 FPS324 FPS
high308 FPS268 FPS
ultra255 FPS212 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
1080p
low775 FPS301 FPS
medium639 FPS260 FPS
high558 FPS217 FPS
ultra492 FPS190 FPS
1440p
low613 FPS239 FPS
medium503 FPS211 FPS
high435 FPS177 FPS
ultra378 FPS151 FPS
4K
low375 FPS142 FPS
medium322 FPS121 FPS
high298 FPS96 FPS
ultra255 FPS79 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4060 Ti and RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 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: 22,651 points. Launch price was $399.

NVIDIA

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1110 MHz to 1545 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,656 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti scores 22,651 versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU's 19,656 — the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti leads by 15.2%. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is built on Ada Lovelace while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs 5,120 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs 15.82 TFLOPS (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 2535 MHz vs 1545 MHz. Ray tracing: 34 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs 40 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) with 136 Tensor cores vs 160.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score
22,651+15%
19,656
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
5 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
4352
5120+18%
Compute (TFLOPS)
22.06 TFLOPS+39%
15.82 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
2535 MHz+64%
1545 MHz
ROPs
48
64+33%
TMUs
136
160+18%
L1 Cache
4.3 MB
5 MB+16%
L2 Cache
32 MB
48 MB+50%
Ray Tracing Cores
34
40+18%
Tensor Cores
136
160+18%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is capped at DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop 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
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU has 12 GB. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 288 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs 432 GB/s (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) — a 50% advantage for the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs 48 MB (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
12 GB+50%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
288 GB/s
432 GB/s+50%
Bus Width
128-bit
192-bit+50%
L2 Cache
32 MB
48 MB+50%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs 12 Ultimate (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
DirectX
12.2+2%
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs NVENC 8th gen (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
Encoder
8th Gen NVENC
NVENC 8th gen
Decoder
5th Gen NVDEC
NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti draws 160W versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU's 100W — a 46.2% difference. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) vs 150W (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060 TiRTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
TDP
160W
100W-38%
Recommended PSU
550W
150W-73%
Power Connector
8-pin
Mobile
Length
240mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
70°C-13%
80°C
Perf/Watt
141.6
196.6+39%