GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile
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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 RTX 4090 Mobile
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 59.2% higher G3D Mark score and 33.3% more VRAM (16 GB vs 12 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3060.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-59.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+59.2%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 4nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (16 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile 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 RTX 4090 Mobile
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 4090 Mobile
The GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 3 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1335 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 9728 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. It features 76 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 27,048 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile's 27,048 — the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile leads by 59.2%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 9,728 (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 32.98 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1695 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 76 (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile) with 112 Tensor cores vs 304.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995 | 27,048+59% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 4 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584 | 9728+171% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS | 32.98 TFLOPS+159% |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+5% | 1695 MHz |
| ROPs | 48 | 112+133% |
| TMUs | 112 | 304+171% |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB | 9.5 MB+171% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 64 MB+2033% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 76+171% |
| Tensor Cores | 112 | 304+171% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile is support for DLSS 3 Frame Gen. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3060 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 3.5 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | DLSS 3.0 (Native) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | Yes (DLSS 3.5) |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile has 16 GB. The GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 576 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile) — a 60% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 64 MB (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile) — the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 16 GB+33% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 576 GB/s+60% |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 256-bit+33% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 64 MB+2033% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 1.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.2+2% |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4+300% | 1 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | 8th Gen NVENC |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | 5th Gen NVDEC |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile's 120W — a 34.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 120W-29% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-15% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 242mm | 0mm |
| Height | 112mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75-6% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0 | 225.4+125% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2021).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | — |
| Codename | GA106 | AD103 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | January 3 2023 |
| Ranking | #114 | #30 |
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