GeForce RTX 3060 vs Radeon HD 8950
GeForce RTX 3060
Popular choices:
Radeon HD 8950
Popular choices:
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
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2012). 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 Radeon HD 8950 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 501% higher G3D Mark score and 300% more VRAM (12 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 8950.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+501%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-501%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) |
| 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 | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $289 versus $499 for the Radeon HD 8950, it costs 42% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 937.6% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+937.6%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($289) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($499) |
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 Radeon HD 8950
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.
Radeon HD 8950
The Radeon HD 8950 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in January 31 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1250 MHz. It has 1792 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,828 points. Launch price was $449.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Radeon HD 8950's 2,828 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 501%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Radeon HD 8950 uses GCN 1.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1,792 (Radeon HD 8950). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2.867 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 8950). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1250 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+501% | 2,828 |
| Architecture | Ampere | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+100% | 1792 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+344% | 2.867 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+42% | 1250 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+50% | 32 |
| TMUs | 112 | 112 |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+695% | 0.44 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+300% | 0.75 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 Radeon HD 8950 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 8950 has 3 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.75 MB (Radeon HD 8950) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+300% | 3 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 256-bit+33% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+300% | 0.75 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12_0 (Radeon HD 8950). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12_0 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs VCE 1.0 (Radeon HD 8950). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs UVD 3.1.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | VCE 1.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | UVD 3.1 |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | — |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Radeon HD 8950's 200W — a 16.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 500W (Radeon HD 8950). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 6-pin + 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W-15% | 200W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 500W-9% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 6-pin + 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 267mm |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+609% | 14.1 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the Radeon HD 8950 launched at $499 and now averages $499. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 42.1% less ($210 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 5.7 (Radeon HD 8950) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 931.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2012).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8950 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-34% | $499 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289-42% | $499 |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8+932% | 5.7 |
| Codename | GA106 | Tahiti |
| Release | January 12 2021 | January 31 2012 |
| Ranking | #114 | #454 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce RTX 3060 and Radeon HD 8950
