GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 2060
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce RTX 2060
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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
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 20.4% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (12 GB vs 6 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 2060.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+20.4%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-20.4%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | Turing (2018−2022) (12nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (6 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 2060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $120 versus $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 58% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 100% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+100%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) | ✅More affordable ($120) |
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 RTX 2060
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 RTX 2060
The GeForce RTX 2060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 7 2019. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1365 MHz to 1680 MHz. It has 1920 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,114 points. Launch price was $349.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 14,114 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 20.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 2060 uses Turing, both on 8 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1,920 (GeForce RTX 2060). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 6.451 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1680 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 30 (GeForce RTX 2060) with 112 Tensor cores vs 240.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+20% | 14,114 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Turing |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 12 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+87% | 1920 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+97% | 6.451 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+6% | 1680 MHz |
| ROPs | 48 | 48 |
| TMUs | 112 | 120+7% |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+84% | 1.9 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 3 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 30+7% |
| Tensor Cores | 112 | 240+114% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2060 has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060) — a 7.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+100% | 6 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+7% | 336 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 3 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 2060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| 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 (Turing) (GeForce RTX 2060). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC (Turing). Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce RTX 2060).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | NVENC (Turing) |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | NVDEC (Turing) |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | H.264,H.265,VP9,VP8,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 2060's 160W — a 6.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 2060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 2060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 229mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 72.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 160W-6% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 500W-9% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 229mm |
| Height | 112mm | 113mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | 72-4% |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+13% | 88.2 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the GeForce RTX 2060 launched at $349 and now averages $120. The GeForce RTX 2060 costs 58.5% less ($169 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 117.6 (GeForce RTX 2060) — the GeForce RTX 2060 offers 100% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2019).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-6% | $349 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $120-58% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8 | 117.6+100% |
| Codename | GA106 | TU106 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | January 7 2019 |
| Ranking | #114 | #168 |
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