GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q
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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 GTX 1050 Max-Q
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 333% higher G3D Mark score and 500% more VRAM (12 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+333%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-333%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2018 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| 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
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3060 remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.
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 GTX 1050 Max-Q
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 GTX 1050 Max-Q
The GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 3 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1190 MHz to 1328 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,925 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q's 3,925 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 333%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 640 (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1.7 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1328 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+333% | 3,925 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Pascal |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+460% | 640 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+649% | 1.7 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+34% | 1328 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+200% | 16 |
| TMUs | 112+180% | 40 |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+1422% | 0.23 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+200% | 1 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 GTX 1050 Max-Q relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| 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 GTX 1050 Max-Q has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 112.1 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) — a 221.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1 MB (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+500% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+221% | 112.1 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+200% | 1 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (12_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs NVENC (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC (3rd Gen). Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265 (HEVC),VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | NVENC (6th Gen) |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | NVDEC (3rd Gen) |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | H.264,H.265 (HEVC),VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q's 75W — a 77.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 75W-56% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+91% | 52.3 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2018).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | — |
| Codename | GA106 | GP107 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | January 3 2018 |
| Ranking | #114 | #498 |
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