GeForce RTX 3060 vs Radeon HD 8990
GeForce RTX 3060
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Radeon HD 8990
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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
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3060 is significantly newer (2021 vs 2013). 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 8990 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 225.9% 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 8990.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8990 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+225.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-225.9%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2013 / 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 | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $289 versus $999 for the Radeon HD 8990, it costs 71% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 1026.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8990 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1026.7%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($289) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($999) |
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 8990
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 8990
The Radeon HD 8990 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 24 2013. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 950 MHz to 1000 MHz. It has 2048 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 375W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,214 points. Launch price was $999.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Radeon HD 8990's 5,214 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 225.9%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Radeon HD 8990 uses GCN 1.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2,048 (Radeon HD 8990). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 8990). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1000 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8990 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995+226% | 5,214 |
| Architecture | Ampere | GCN 1.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+75% | 2048 ×2 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS+211% | 4.096 TFLOPS ×2 |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+78% | 1000 MHz |
| ROPs | 48+50% | 32 ×2 |
| TMUs | 112 | 128 ×2+14% |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+600% | 0.5 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 8990 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8990 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 8990 has 3 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 288 GB/s x2 (Radeon HD 8990) — a 700.6% advantage for the Radeon HD 8990. Bus width: 192-bit vs 384-bit x2. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 0.75 MB (Radeon HD 8990) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8990 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+300% | 3 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+25% | 288 GB/s x2 |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 384-bit x2+100% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+300% | 0.75 MB |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Radeon HD 8990's 375W — a 75.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 750W (Radeon HD 8990). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8990 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W-55% | 375W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W-27% | 750W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | — |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0+619% | 13.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the Radeon HD 8990 launched at $999 and now averages $999. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 71.1% less ($710 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 5.2 (Radeon HD 8990) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 1030.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2013).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | Radeon HD 8990 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329-67% | $999 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289-71% | $999 |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8+1031% | 5.2 |
| Codename | GA106 | Malta |
| Release | January 12 2021 | April 24 2013 |
| Ranking | #114 | #412 |
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