GeForce RTX 3060 vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
GeForce RTX 3060
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RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
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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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 15.7% higher G3D Mark score. 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 | RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-15.7%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+15.7%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace / 5nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
While current pricing data is unavailable, the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU 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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
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.
RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1110 MHz to 1545 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,656 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU's 19,656 — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU leads by 15.7%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 5,120 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 15.82 TFLOPS (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1545 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 40 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) with 112 Tensor cores vs 160.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995 | 19,656+16% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584 | 5120+43% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS | 15.82 TFLOPS+24% |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+15% | 1545 MHz |
| ROPs | 48 | 64+33% |
| TMUs | 112 | 160+43% |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB | 5 MB+43% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 48 MB+1500% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 40+43% |
| Tensor Cores | 112 | 160+43% |
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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 12 GB of GDDR6. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 432 GB/s (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) — a 20% advantage for the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 48 MB (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 432 GB/s+20% |
| Bus Width | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 48 MB+1500% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12 Ultimate (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 Ultimate |
| 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 8th gen (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | NVENC 8th gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU's 100W — a 51.9% difference. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 150W (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 100W-41% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 150W-73% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 75-6% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0 | 196.6+97% |
Value Analysis
The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2021).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | — |
| Codename | GA106 | AD104 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | March 21 2023 |
| Ranking | #114 | #81 |
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