RTX 4000 Ada Generation vs GeForce RTX 3060
RTX 4000 Ada Generation
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GeForce RTX 3060
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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 RTX 4000 Ada Generation
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 41.5% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3060 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+41.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-41.5%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (2 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $289 versus $1,547 for the RTX 4000 Ada Generation, it costs 81% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 278.3% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+278.3%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($1,547) | ✅More affordable ($289) |
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 RTX 4000 Ada Generation and GeForce RTX 3060
RTX 4000 Ada Generation
The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 9 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1560 MHz. It has 6144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 48 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 24,046 points.
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.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the RTX 4000 Ada Generation scores 24,046 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the RTX 4000 Ada Generation leads by 41.5%. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 6,144 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 26.73 TFLOPS (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1560 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 48 RT cores (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 192 Tensor cores vs 112.
| Feature | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 24,046+41% | 16,995 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 6144+71% | 3584 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 26.73 TFLOPS+110% | 12.74 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1560 MHz | 1777 MHz+14% |
| ROPs | 64+33% | 48 |
| TMUs | 192+71% | 112 |
| L1 Cache | 6 MB+71% | 3.5 MB |
| L2 Cache | 48 MB+1500% | 3 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 48+71% | 28 |
| Tensor Cores | 192+71% | 112 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the RTX 4000 Ada Generation 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.The RTX 4000 Ada Generation supports the newer DLSS 3.5 (including Frame Gen/Ray Reconstruction), whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2.0.
| Feature | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 3.5 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | DLSS 3.0 (Native) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | Yes (DLSS 3.5) | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The RTX 4000 Ada Generation comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 160-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 48 MB (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the RTX 4000 Ada Generation has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2 GB | 12 GB+500% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 ECC | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 360 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 160-bit | 192-bit+20% |
| L2 Cache | 48 MB+1500% | 3 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (3x) (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).
| Feature | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 8th Gen NVENC (3x) | NVENC 7th Gen |
| Decoder | 5th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC 5th Gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The RTX 4000 Ada Generation draws 70W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 83.3% difference. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 1x 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75.
| Feature | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 70W-59% | 170W |
| Recommended PSU | 750W | 550W-27% |
| Power Connector | 1x 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 75-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 343.5+244% | 100.0 |
Value Analysis
The RTX 4000 Ada Generation launched at $1999 MSRP and currently averages $1547, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 and now averages $289. The GeForce RTX 3060 costs 81.3% less ($1258 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 15.5 (RTX 4000 Ada Generation) vs 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 279.4% better value. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2021).
| Feature | RTX 4000 Ada Generation | GeForce RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1999 | $329-84% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $1547 | $289-81% |
| Performance per Dollar | 15.5 | 58.8+279% |
| Codename | AD104 | GA106 |
| Release | August 9 2023 | January 12 2021 |
| Ranking | #47 | #114 |
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