Radeon RX 6500 vs GeForce RTX 3060
Radeon RX 6500
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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. The Radeon RX 6500 is positioned at rank #118 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. 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 Radeon RX 6500
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 0). The GeForce RTX 3060 likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon RX 6500 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 123.3% higher G3D Mark score and 200% more VRAM (12 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon RX 6500.
| Insight | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-123.3%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+123.3%) |
| Longevity | Legacy (Standard Node) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $289 (vs $150), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 15.9% better value per dollar than the Radeon RX 6500.
| Insight | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+15.9%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($150) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($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 Radeon RX 6500 and GeForce RTX 3060
Radeon RX 6500
The Radeon RX 6500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in sem dados. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,610 points.
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 Radeon RX 6500 scores 7,610 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 123.3%.
| Feature | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 7,610 | 16,995+123% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 6500 is support for FSR 3 / AFMF. 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.
| Feature | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 3 (Native) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Driver) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon RX 6500 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 144 GB/s (Radeon RX 6500) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 150% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 64-bit vs 192-bit.
| Feature | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 12 GB+200% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 144 GB/s | 360 GB/s+150% |
| Bus Width | 64-bit | 192-bit+200% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (Radeon RX 6500) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: None (Radeon RX 6500) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: VCN 3.0 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 6500) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | None | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | VCN 3.0 | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon RX 6500 draws 75W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 77.6% difference. The Radeon RX 6500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (Radeon RX 6500) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 172mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75.
| Feature | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 75W-56% | 170W |
| Recommended PSU | 400W-27% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 172mm | 242mm |
| Height | 112mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 75-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 101.5+2% | 100.0 |
Value Analysis
The Radeon RX 6500 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $150, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The Radeon RX 6500 costs 48.1% less ($139 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 50.7 (Radeon RX 6500) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 16% better value.
| Feature | Radeon RX 6500 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-40% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150-48% | $289 |
| Performance per Dollar | 50.7 | 58.8+16% |
| Codename | — | GA106 |
| Release | sem dados | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #335 | #114 |
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