GeForce RTX 4060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
GeForce RTX 4060
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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 4060
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 4060 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 16.5% 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 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+16.5%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-16.5%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) / 5nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | ✨ 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 4060 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $299 versus $340 for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, it costs 12% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 32.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+32.5%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($299) | ⚠️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 4060 and GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
GeForce RTX 4060
The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.
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 4060 scores 19,548 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 16,777 — the GeForce RTX 4060 leads by 16.5%. The GeForce RTX 4060 is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Raw compute: 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Boost clocks: 2460 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 24 RT cores (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 70 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) with 96 Tensor cores vs 280.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 19,548+17% | 16,777 |
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ampere |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 3072 | 8960+192% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 15.11 TFLOPS | 30.64 TFLOPS+103% |
| Boost Clock | 2460 MHz+44% | 1710 MHz |
| ROPs | 48 | 96+100% |
| TMUs | 96 | 280+192% |
| L1 Cache | 3 MB | 8.8 MB+193% |
| L2 Cache | 24 MB+300% | 6 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 24 | 70+192% |
| Tensor Cores | 96 | 280+192% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 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 12GB lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 (including Frame Gen/Ray Reconstruction), whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is capped at DLSS 2.0.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 GeForce RTX 4060 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: 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — a 32.4% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 272 GB/s | 360 GB/s+32% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 24 MB+300% | 6 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 8th gen | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 4060 draws 115W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 350W — a 101.1% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 240mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 73°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 115W-67% | 350W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 550W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 240mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 73°C-3% | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 170.0+255% | 47.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 4060 launched at $299 MSRP and currently averages $299, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329 and now averages $340. The GeForce RTX 4060 costs 12.1% less ($41 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 65.4 (GeForce RTX 4060) vs 49.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 4060 offers 32.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 4060 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2022).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $299-9% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $299-12% | $340 |
| Performance per Dollar | 65.4+33% | 49.3 |
| Codename | AD107 | GA102 |
| Release | May 18 2023 | January 11 2022 |
| Ranking | #84 | #38 |
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