GeForce RTX 4060 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060

2023Core: 1830 MHzBoost: 2460 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

2023Core: 975 MHzBoost: 1500 MHz

GeForce RTX 4060 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded 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 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded 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 4060 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded 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

2023

Why buy it

  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 65.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 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 (96 vs 160), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • 128.6% longer card at 240mm vs 105mm.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • 9.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 66.7% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (160 vs 96).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
  • Measures 105mm instead of 240mm, a 135mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 65.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 9.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 29.3% in PassMark G3D (25,267 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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is limited to no meaningful modern upscaling stack and no comparable frame-generation support. That still leaves it as the safer long-term option on hardware alone.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 4060 makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 4060 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 975 MHz to 1500 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,267 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4060 scores 19,548 versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 25,267 — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU leads by 29.3%. The GeForce RTX 4060 is built on Ada Lovelace while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on a 5 nm process. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 5,120 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Raw compute: 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 15.82 TFLOPS (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Boost clocks: 2460 MHz vs 1500 MHz. Ray tracing: 24 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 40 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) with 96 Tensor cores vs 160.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
G3D Mark Score
19,548
25,267+29%
Architecture
Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
5 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
3072
5120+67%
Compute (TFLOPS)
15.11 TFLOPS
15.82 TFLOPS+5%
Boost Clock
2460 MHz+64%
1500 MHz
ROPs
48
64+33%
TMUs
96
160+67%
L1 Cache
3 MB
5 MB+67%
L2 Cache
24 MB
48 MB+100%
Ray Tracing Cores
24
40+67%
Tensor Cores
96
160+67%

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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 4060 is capped at DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded 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 has 8 GB of VRAM, while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU carries 12 GB. RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 432 GB/s (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — a 58.8% advantage for the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce RTX 4060 and 192-bit on the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU. L2 Cache: 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 48 MB (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
12 GB+50%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
272 GB/s
432 GB/s+59%
Bus Width
128-bit
192-bit+50%
L2 Cache
24 MB
48 MB+100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate (12_2)
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

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

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Encoder
NVENC 8th gen
NVENC 8th Gen
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
H.264,H.265,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 4060 draws 115W versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 115W — a 0% difference. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 650W (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 240mm vs 105mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 73°C vs 85.

FeatureGeForce RTX 4060RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
TDP
115W
115W
Recommended PSU
550W-15%
650W
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
240mm
105mm
Height
111mm
82mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
73°C-14%
85
Perf/Watt
170.0
219.7+29%