GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs GeForce 256

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

#1

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

MSRP: $399|Avg: $280

100%

#2

GeForce RTX 5060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

96%

#3

Radeon RX 5600 XT

MSRP: $279|Avg: $180

95%

#4

Radeon RX 9060

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

95%

#5

GeForce RTX 5050

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

95%

#6

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

MSRP: $249|Avg: $150

94%

#7

Arc A580

MSRP: $179|Avg: $179

93%

#8

Radeon RX 9060 XT

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

93%

#9

Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

92%

#10

Radeon RX 7600

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

91%

#11

Radeon RX 6600

MSRP: $329|Avg: $180

90%

#12

GeForce RTX 4060

MSRP: $299|Avg: $299

90%

#13

Arc B570

MSRP: $219|Avg: $219

89%

#14

Arc B580

MSRP: $249|Avg: $249

88%

#15

Radeon RX 6500 XT

MSRP: $199|Avg: $150

88%

#16

GeForce RTX 3070

MSRP: $499|Avg: $200

88%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce 256

#737

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

361900%

#739

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

328067%

#740

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

327200%

#744

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

297533%

#745

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

295500%

#747

GeForce2 MX/MX 400

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

100%

#748

GeForce4 MX 440

MSRP: $149|Avg: $49

100%

#749

RADEON 7200

MSRP: $99|Avg: $45

100%

#750

GeForce 256

MSRP: $199|Avg: $20

100%

#751

GeForce2 MX

MSRP: $129|Avg: $49

67%

#752

GeForce4 440

MSRP: $469|Avg: $49

33%

#753

GeForce3

MSRP: $499|Avg: $49

33%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 406140% higher G3D Mark score and 1500% more VRAM (8 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 256.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce 256
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+406140%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-406140%)
Longevity	🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)	Pascal (2016−2021) (14nm)
Ecosystem	✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	🎮 High Capacity (8 GB)	❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt	⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $280 (vs $20), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 28917.1% better value per dollar than the GeForce 256.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce 256
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+28917.1%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($280)	✅More affordable ($20)

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.

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Benchmark Check

GeForce 256 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and GeForce 256

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 4864 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 38 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $399.

GeForce 256

The GeForce 256 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 20 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 937 MHz to 1038 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti scores 20,312 versus the GeForce 256's 5 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti leads by 406140%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is built on Ampere while the GeForce 256 uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 384 (GeForce 256). Raw compute: 16.2 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 0.7972 TFLOPS (GeForce 256). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 1038 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce 256
G3D Mark Score	20,312+406140%	5
Architecture	Ampere	Pascal
Process Node	8 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	4864+1167%	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	16.2 TFLOPS+1932%	0.7972 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1665 MHz+60%	1038 MHz
ROPs	80+400%	16
TMUs	152+533%	24
L1 Cache	4.8 MB+3329%	0.14 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	0.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce 256 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce 256
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2.0	FSR 1.0 (Software)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce 256 has 512 MB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 1500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 0.5 MB (GeForce 256) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce 256
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+1500%	0.5 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s	Unknown
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	0.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 7.0 (GeForce 256). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 1.2. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 1.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce 256
DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)+71%	7.0
OpenGL	4.6+283%	1.2
Max Displays	4+300%	1

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs None (GeForce 256). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs MPEG-2 Motion Comp. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs MPEG-2 (GeForce 256).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce 256
Encoder	NVENC (Ampere)	None
Decoder	NVDEC (Ampere)	MPEG-2 Motion Comp
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1	MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti draws 200W versus the GeForce 256's 10W — a 181% difference. The GeForce 256 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 350W (GeForce 256). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Legacy. Card length: 242mm vs 165mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 60°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce 256
TDP	200W	10W-95%
Recommended PSU	600W	350W-42%
Power Connector	8-pin	Legacy
Length	242mm	165mm
Height	112mm	100mm
Slots	2	1-50%
Temp (Load)	75	60°C-20%
Perf/Watt	101.6+20220%	0.5

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $280, while the GeForce 256 launched at $199 and now averages $20. The GeForce 256 costs 92.9% less ($260 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 72.5 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 0.3 (GeForce 256) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 24066.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2019).