GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
GeForce RTX 3070
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GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
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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 3070
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 32.2% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+32.2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-32.2%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3070 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $200 versus $340 for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, it costs 41% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 124.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+124.7%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($200) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($340) |
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 3070 and GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
GeForce RTX 3070
The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 11 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1260 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 70 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,777 points. Launch price was $799.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3070 scores 22,172 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 16,777 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 32.2%. The GeForce RTX 3070 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Raw compute: 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Boost clocks: 1725 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 70 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) with 184 Tensor cores vs 280.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 22,172+32% | 16,777 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 5888 | 8960+52% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 20.31 TFLOPS | 30.64 TFLOPS+51% |
| Boost Clock | 1725 MHz | 1710 MHz |
| ROPs | 96 | 96 |
| TMUs | 184 | 280+52% |
| L1 Cache | 5.8 MB | 8.8 MB+52% |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 6 MB+50% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 46 | 70+52% |
| Tensor Cores | 184 | 280+52% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3070 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — a 24.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448 GB/s+24% | 360 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 256-bit+33% | 192-bit |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB | 6 MB+50% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.4+8% | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3070 draws 220W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 350W — a 45.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 3070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 650W (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 220W-37% | 350W |
| Recommended PSU | 650W | 550W-15% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 242mm |
| Height | 112mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.8+110% | 47.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $200, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329 and now averages $340. The GeForce RTX 3070 costs 41.2% less ($140 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 110.9 (GeForce RTX 3070) vs 49.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 124.9% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $499 | $329-34% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $200-41% | $340 |
| Performance per Dollar | 110.9+125% | 49.3 |
| Codename | GA104 | GA102 |
| Release | September 1 2020 | January 11 2022 |
| Ranking | #63 | #38 |
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