GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce GTX 555
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce GTX 555
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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
Why is GeForce RTX 3060 better than GeForce GTX 555?
The matchup between the ancient GeForce GTX 555 and the powerhouse GeForce RTX 3060 Ti reveals the extreme progress made in GPU power over several scientific generations. The RTX 3060 Ti is roughly 8000% more powerful, representing the jump from a card that can no longer run modern Windows smoothly to a desktop icon that masters 1440p Ultra.
Technically, these two share no ground. The RTX 3060 Ti features 8GB of fast VRAM and specialized hardware for Ray Tracing and DLSS. The GTX 555 is limited by its 1GB of ancient memory and a legacy architecture that cannot even fully support modern DirectX standards. Moving from an antique system to a 3060 Ti powered desktop is a life-changing improvement, providing the speed and visual fidelity needed for the most demanding digital environments in 2026.
There is no contest here; the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the absolute winner. it represents over a decade of progress and provides the stability and detail needed for a world-class PC experience. The GeForce GTX 555 is strictly piece of hardware history. if you are looking to revitalize your digital life with a performance boost that is truly night and day, the RTX 3060 Ti is the definitive choice for enthusiasts.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2011). 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 555 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 959.5% higher G3D Mark score and 1100% more VRAM (12 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 555.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+959.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-959.5%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / Fermi 2.0 (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 | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $289 (vs $30), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 10% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTX 555.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+10%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) | ✅More affordable ($30) |
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 555
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 555
The GeForce GTX 555 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 14 2011. It features the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 720 MHz. It has 144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,604 points. Launch price was $149.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce GTX 555's 1,604 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 959.5%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 555 uses Fermi 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 144 (GeForce GTX 555). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.4147 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 555).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+960% | 1,604 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Fermi 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+2389% | 144 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+2972% | 0.4147 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 48+200% | 16 |
| TMUs | 112+367% | 24 |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+1742% | 0.19 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+689% | 0.38 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 555 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 555 has 1 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 1100% 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 0.38 MB (GeForce GTX 555) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+1100% | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+689% | 0.38 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 555). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.3+8% | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4+100% | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 555). 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 555).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 555's 70W — a 83.3% difference. The GeForce GTX 555 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 450W (GeForce GTX 555). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 210mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 70W-59% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 450W-18% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 210mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+337% | 22.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the GeForce GTX 555 launched at $150 and now averages $30. The GeForce GTX 555 costs 89.6% less ($259 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 53.5 (GeForce GTX 555) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 9.9% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2011).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 555 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $150-54% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $30-90% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8+10% | 53.5 |
| Codename | GA106 | GF116 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | May 14 2011 |
| Ranking | #114 | #849 |
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