GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce GTX 480M
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce GTX 480M
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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 480M
Why is GeForce RTX 3060 better than GeForce GTX 480M?
The comparison between the GeForce GTX 480M and the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly graphics technology has advanced. The GTX 480M was the absolute pinnacle of mobile graphics in 2010, a bulky and power-hungry chip that defined high-end \"desktop replacement\" laptops of its time. The RTX 3060 Ti is a modern mid-range desktop legend from the Ampere generation.\n\nThe performance gap here is astronomical. The RTX 3060 Ti offers tens of thousands of times more compute power, features dedicated Ray Tracing and Tensor cores, and supports AI technologies like DLSS that didn't exist when the 480M was released. In fact, many modern games will not even launch on the GTX 480M due to its lack of support for current DirectX versions. The RTX 3060 Ti is a high-performance 1440p card, whereas the 480M struggled with 1080p settings in the titles of its own era.\n\nUltimately, the GTX 480M is now a collector's item, representing an important step in the history of mobile gaming. The RTX 3060 Ti is a modern workhorse that provides a level of fidelity and speed that would have been purely science fiction in 2010.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2010). 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 GTX 480M 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 928.1% 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 480M.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 480M |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+928.1%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-928.1%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014)) |
| 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 480M
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 480M
The GeForce GTX 480M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 25 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 425 MHz. It has 352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,653 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce GTX 480M's 1,653 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 928.1%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 480M uses Fermi, both on 8 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 352 (GeForce GTX 480M). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.5984 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 480M).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 480M |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+928% | 1,653 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Fermi |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+918% | 352 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+2029% | 0.5984 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 48+50% | 32 |
| TMUs | 112+155% | 44 |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+407% | 0.69 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+500% | 0.5 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 480M relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 480M |
|---|---|---|
| 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 480M has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.5 MB (GeForce GTX 480M) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 480M |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+500% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+500% | 0.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 480M). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.0. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 480M |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.3+8% | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6+15% | 4.0 |
| Max Displays | 4+100% | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 480M). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 480M).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 480M |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | PureVideo HD VP4 |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce GTX 480M's 100W — a 51.9% difference. The GeForce GTX 480M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 480M). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 95°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 480M |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 100W-41% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75-21% | 95°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+506% | 16.5 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2010).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 480M |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | — |
| Codename | GA106 | GF100 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | May 25 2010 |
| Ranking | #114 | #743 |
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