GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce GTX 950A
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce GTX 950A
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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 950A
Why is GeForce RTX 3060 better than GeForce GTX 950A?
Comparing the powerful GeForce RTX 3060 Ti to the legacy budget GeForce GTX 950A highlights a monumental jump in graphical muscle. The RTX 3060 Ti is roughly 1500% faster, representing the jump from a core that struggles with basic 1080p settings to a card that masters 1440p Ultra with high refresh rates and cinematic graphics. This is a transformative upgrade for any gaming rig.
Technically, the RTX 3060 Ti features 8GB of dedicated fast GDDR6 VRAM and specialized hardware for Ray Tracing and DLSS support. The GTX 950A is a mobile-based legacy solution with limited memory and an architecture that cannot handle modern DirectX 12 shaders at playable frame rates. Moving to an RTX 3060 Ti desktop provides a level of detail and speed that turns unplayable legacy stutters into silk-smooth cinematic immersion for any software in 2026.
There is no contest here; the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the absolute winner. it provides a level of speed and visual fidelity that makes the most demanding games look like high-resolution cinema. The GeForce GTX 950A is now strictly for basic office use on legacy notebooks or a piece of hardware history. if you are looking to revitalize your digital environment 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 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 GTX 950A 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 553.9% 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 950A.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 950A |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+553.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-553.9%) |
| 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 GTX 950A offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $30 versus $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 90% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 47.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 950A |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+47.3%) |
| 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 950A
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 950A
The GeForce GTX 950A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 993 MHz to 1124 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,599 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce GTX 950A's 2,599 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 553.9%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 950A uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 640 (GeForce GTX 950A). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1.439 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 950A). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1124 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 950A |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+554% | 2,599 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+460% | 640 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+785% | 1.439 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+58% | 1124 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 GTX 950A relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 950A |
|---|---|---|
| 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 950A 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 32 GB/s (GeForce GTX 950A) — a 1025% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2 MB (GeForce GTX 950A) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 950A |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+500% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | DDR3 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+1025% | 32 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+50% | 2 MB |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce GTX 950A's 75W — a 77.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 950A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (GeForce GTX 950A). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 950A |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 75W-56% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 350W-36% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 1x 6-pin |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+188% | 34.7 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the GeForce GTX 950A launched at $159 and now averages $30. The GeForce GTX 950A costs 89.6% less ($259 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 86.6 (GeForce GTX 950A) — the GeForce GTX 950A offers 47.3% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce GTX 950A |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $159-52% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $30-90% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8 | 86.6+47% |
| Codename | GA106 | GM107 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | March 13 2015 |
| Ranking | #114 | #621 |
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