GeForce RTX 4090 vs GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce RTX 4090
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GeForce RTX 3060
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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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 4090
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4090 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 124.3% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (24 GB vs 12 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3060.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+124.3%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-124.3%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (24 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (304mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $289 versus $1,649 for the GeForce RTX 4090, it costs 82% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 154.4% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+154.4%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($1,649) | ✅More affordable ($289) |
Performance Check
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 7800X3D 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 4090 and GeForce RTX 3060
GeForce RTX 4090
The GeForce RTX 4090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2235 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 16384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 450W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 128 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38,112 points. Launch price was $1,599.
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 38,112 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 124.3%. The GeForce RTX 4090 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 2520 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 128 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 512 Tensor cores vs 112.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 38,112+124% | 16,995 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 16384+357% | 3584 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 82.58 TFLOPS+548% | 12.74 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 2520 MHz+42% | 1777 MHz |
| ROPs | 176+267% | 48 |
| TMUs | 512+357% | 112 |
| L1 Cache | 16 MB+357% | 3.5 MB |
| L2 Cache | 72 MB+2300% | 3 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 128+357% | 28 |
| Tensor Cores | 512+357% | 112 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. 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 GeForce RTX 3060 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4090 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 (including Frame Gen/Ray Reconstruction), whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2.0.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 3.5 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | DLSS 3.0 (Native) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | Yes (DLSS 3.5) | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 4090 comes with 24 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 4090 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 180% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Bus width: 384-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 4090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB+100% | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 1008 GB/s+180% | 360 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+100% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 72 MB+2300% | 3 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (2x) (GeForce RTX 4090) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 8th Gen NVENC (2x) | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 4090 draws 450W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 90.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 16-pin (12VHPWR) vs 8-pin. Card length: 304mm vs 242mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 450W | 170W-62% |
| Recommended PSU | 1000W | 550W-45% |
| Power Connector | 16-pin (12VHPWR) | 8-pin |
| Length | 304mm | 242mm |
| Height | 137mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 3 | 2-33% |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 84.7 | 100.0+18% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599 MSRP and currently averages $1649, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 82.5% less ($1360 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 23.1 (GeForce RTX 4090) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 154.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 4090 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2021).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4090 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1599 | $329-79% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1649 | $289-82% |
| Performance per Dollar | 23.1 | 58.8+155% |
| Codename | AD102 | GA106 |
| Release | September 20 2022 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #4 | #114 |
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