GeForce RTX 3060 Ti vs Radeon HD 6970

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

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is significantly newer (2020 vs 2010). The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The Radeon HD 6970 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 617.5% higher G3D Mark score and 300% more VRAM (8 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 6970.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	Radeon HD 6970
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+617.5%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-617.5%)
Longevity	🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / TeraScale 3 (2010−2013))
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	Standard Size (286mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $280 (vs $100), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 156.2% better value per dollar than the Radeon HD 6970.

Insight	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	Radeon HD 6970
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+156.2%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($280)	✅More affordable ($100)

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

Radeon HD 6970 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and Radeon HD 6970

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.

Radeon HD 6970

The Radeon HD 6970 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in December 14 2010. It features the TeraScale 3 architecture. The boost clock speed is 880 MHz. It has 1536 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,831 points. Launch price was $369.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti scores 20,312 versus the Radeon HD 6970's 2,831 — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti leads by 617.5%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is built on Ampere while the Radeon HD 6970 uses TeraScale 3, both on 8 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 1,536 (Radeon HD 6970). Raw compute: 16.2 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 2.703 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 6970). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 880 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	Radeon HD 6970
G3D Mark Score	20,312+617%	2,831
Architecture	Ampere	TeraScale 3
Process Node	8 nm	40 nm
Shading Units	4864+217%	1536
Compute (TFLOPS)	16.2 TFLOPS+499%	2.703 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1665 MHz+89%	880 MHz
ROPs	80+150%	32
TMUs	152+58%	96
L1 Cache	4.8 MB+2426%	0.19 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 Radeon HD 6970 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	Radeon HD 6970
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	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 6970 has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 300% 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 (Radeon HD 6970) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	Radeon HD 6970
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+300%	2 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 11.0 (Radeon HD 6970). Vulkan: 1.3 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 6.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	Radeon HD 6970
DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)+9%	11.0
Vulkan	1.3	N/A
OpenGL	4.6+5%	4.4
Max Displays	4	6+50%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs None (Radeon HD 6970). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs UVD 3.0. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC (Radeon HD 6970).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	Radeon HD 6970
Encoder	NVENC (Ampere)	None
Decoder	NVDEC (Ampere)	UVD 3.0
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1	MPEG-2,VC-1,H.264,MPEG-4,MVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti draws 200W versus the Radeon HD 6970's 250W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 550W (Radeon HD 6970). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 286mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 90.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	Radeon HD 6970
TDP	200W-20%	250W
Recommended PSU	600W	550W-8%
Power Connector	8-pin	6-pin + 8-pin
Length	242mm	286mm
Height	112mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75-17%	90
Perf/Watt	101.6+799%	11.3

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 MSRP and currently averages $280, while the Radeon HD 6970 launched at $369 and now averages $100. The Radeon HD 6970 costs 64.3% less ($180 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 72.5 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 28.3 (Radeon HD 6970) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 156.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the newer GPU (2020 vs 2010).