GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce 945M
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce 945M
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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 3060
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 945M
Why is GeForce RTX 3060 better than GeForce 945M?
Comparing the powerful GeForce RTX 3060 Ti to the legacy mobile GeForce 945M highlights nearly a decade of astronomical GPU progress. The RTX 3060 Ti is more than 4000% faster, representing the jump from a budget laptop chip of 2015 to a desktop card that masters 1440p Ultra with high refresh rates and cinematic graphics.
Technically, these two share no ground. The RTX 3060 Ti features 8GB of fast VRAM and specialized hardware for Ray Tracing and DLSS support. The GeForce 945M is based on a legacy architecture with tiny memory and lacks the core count or features to handle modern high-fidelity textures. Moving from any notebook with legacy graphics to an RTX 3060 Ti powered desktop is a life-changing improvement, providing the speed and fluidity needed for high-end rendering and professional creative work in 2026.
There is no contest here; the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the absolute winner. it provides a level of detail and speed that turns the most demanding games into fluid, immersive experiences. The GeForce 945M is now strictly for basic office use on legacy notebooks. If you are looking to revitalize your PC experience with a performance boost that is truly night and day, the 30-series desktop card is the definitive and superior choice.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2015). 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 GeForce 945M 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 705.8% higher G3D Mark score and 2300% more VRAM (12 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 945M.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+705.8%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-705.8%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $289 (vs $98), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 173.3% better value per dollar than the GeForce 945M.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+173.3%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) | ✅More affordable ($98) |
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 3060 and GeForce 945M
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.
GeForce 945M
The GeForce 945M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 27 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 1020 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,109 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce 945M's 2,109 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 705.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce 945M uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 640 (GeForce 945M). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1.306 TFLOPS (GeForce 945M). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1020 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+706% | 2,109 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+460% | 640 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+875% | 1.306 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+74% | 1020 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+200% | 16 |
| TMUs | 112+180% | 40 |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+1029% | 0.31 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce 945M relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce 945M has 512 MB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 2300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 80 GB/s (GeForce 945M) — a 350% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2 MB (GeForce 945M) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+2300% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+350% | 80 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce 945M). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.3+18% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4+100% | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC (Maxwell) (GeForce 945M). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs PureVideo HD (VP6). Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265,MPEG-2 (GeForce 945M).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | NVENC (Maxwell) |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | PureVideo HD (VP6) |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | H.264,H.265,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce 945M's 75W — a 77.6% difference. The GeForce 945M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (GeForce 945M). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Legacy. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 75W-56% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | Legacy |
| Length | 242mm | 0mm |
| Height | 112mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | 75 |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+256% | 28.1 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 945M costs 66.1% less ($191 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 21.5 (GeForce 945M) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 173.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce 945M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $98-66% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8+173% | 21.5 |
| Codename | GA106 | GM107 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | October 27 2015 |
| Ranking | #114 | #671 |
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