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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($470 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 33.9 vs 26.8 G3D/$ ($470 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Turing (2018−2022) on 12nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Measures 229mm instead of 267mm, a 38mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (272 vs 288), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 2070

2018

Why buy it

✅5.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (288 vs 272).

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 8 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
❌
27.4% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$470 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.8 vs 33.9 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $470 MSRP).
❌16.6% longer card at 267mm vs 229mm.

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB

2021

GeForce RTX 2070

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $129 less on MSRP ($470 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 33.9 vs 26.8 G3D/$ ($470 MSRP vs $599 MSRP).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Turing (2018−2022) on 12nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Measures 229mm instead of 267mm, a 38mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅5.9% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (288 vs 272).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (272 vs 288), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 8 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
❌
27.4% HIGHER MSRP
$599 MSRPvs$470 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 26.8 vs 33.9 G3D/$ ($599 MSRP vs $470 MSRP).
❌16.6% longer card at 267mm vs 229mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 2070 better than GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?

Yes, but this is not really about a huge raw performance gap. The broader synthetic picture is also very close at 15,935 vs 16,068 in G3D Mark. The bigger reason to prefer GeForce RTX 2070 is the overall package: you are getting DLSS Super Resolution.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2021 generation instead of 2018 and more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB. That extra memory headroom makes it the safer pick for newer games, heavier textures, and higher settings over time.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB can still make sense if you find it at the right price, especially around $470 MSRP. GeForce RTX 2070 is still the smarter buy for most people, though, because the raw performance is close while the overall package is cleaner. GeForce RTX 2070 is about 27.4% more expensive on MSRP at $599 MSRP versus $470 MSRP, and you are getting 0.8% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the newer 2021 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture and future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does GeForce RTX 2060 12GB make more sense than GeForce RTX 2070?

Yes. GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, future-proofing, and staying closer to $470 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 2070. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 2070 currently gives you 0.8% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 2060 12GB still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 2070 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
1080p
low	155 FPS	152 FPS
medium	137 FPS	134 FPS
high	124 FPS	117 FPS
ultra	105 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	132 FPS	131 FPS
medium	107 FPS	107 FPS
high	95 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	86 FPS	81 FPS
4K
low	75 FPS	74 FPS
medium	64 FPS	63 FPS
high	49 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	42 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 2070

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
1080p
low	317 FPS	321 FPS
medium	269 FPS	269 FPS
high	218 FPS	219 FPS
ultra	177 FPS	184 FPS
1440p
low	210 FPS	218 FPS
medium	180 FPS	182 FPS
high	146 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	122 FPS
4K
low	111 FPS	123 FPS
medium	93 FPS	105 FPS
high	77 FPS	85 FPS
ultra	59 FPS	64 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 2070

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
1080p
low	717 FPS	723 FPS
medium	574 FPS	578 FPS
high	478 FPS	482 FPS
ultra	359 FPS	362 FPS
1440p
low	538 FPS	542 FPS
medium	430 FPS	434 FPS
high	359 FPS	362 FPS
ultra	269 FPS	271 FPS
4K
low	359 FPS	362 FPS
medium	287 FPS	289 FPS
high	239 FPS	241 FPS
ultra	179 FPS	181 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 2070

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
1080p
low	432 FPS	434 FPS
medium	366 FPS	367 FPS
high	296 FPS	297 FPS
ultra	255 FPS	257 FPS
1440p
low	360 FPS	361 FPS
medium	308 FPS	309 FPS
high	239 FPS	239 FPS
ultra	198 FPS	199 FPS
4K
low	205 FPS	206 FPS
medium	169 FPS	170 FPS
high	157 FPS	158 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	124 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 2060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 2070

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 2060 12GB and GeForce RTX 2070

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 7 2021. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1470 MHz to 1650 MHz. It has 2176 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 184W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,935 points.

GeForce RTX 2070

The GeForce RTX 2070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 17 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1620 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 175W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 36 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,068 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB scores 15,935 and the GeForce RTX 2070 reaches 16,068 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 2070 uses Turing, both on a 12 nm process. Shader units: 2,176 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 2070). Raw compute: 7.181 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 7.465 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2070). Boost clocks: 1650 MHz vs 1620 MHz. Ray tracing: 34 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 36 (GeForce RTX 2070) with 272 Tensor cores vs 288.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
G3D Mark Score	15,935	16,068
Architecture	Turing	Turing
Process Node	12 nm	12 nm
Shading Units	2176	2304+6%
Compute (TFLOPS)	7.181 TFLOPS	7.465 TFLOPS+4%
Boost Clock	1650 MHz+2%	1620 MHz
ROPs	48	64+33%
TMUs	136	144+6%
L1 Cache	2.1 MB	2.3 MB+10%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
Ray Tracing Cores	34	36+6%
Tensor Cores	272	288+6%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 2070 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2070) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 2070. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2070) — the GeForce RTX 2070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+50%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s	448 GB/s+33%
Bus Width	192-bit	256-bit+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 12.1 (GeForce RTX 2070). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
DirectX	12.1	12.1
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 6.0 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs NVENC 6.0 (GeForce RTX 2070). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP9 vs PureVideo HD VP9. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (GeForce RTX 2070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
Encoder	NVENC 6.0	NVENC 6.0
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP9	PureVideo HD VP9
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB draws 184W versus the GeForce RTX 2070's 175W — a 5% difference. The GeForce RTX 2070 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 2070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 267mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 88°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 2060 12GB	GeForce RTX 2070
TDP	184W	175W-5%
Recommended PSU	550W	550W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	229mm	267mm
Height	113mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	88°C	80°C-9%
Perf/Watt	86.6	91.8+6%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB launched at $470 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 2070 launched at $599. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB costs 21.5% less ($129 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 33.9 (GeForce RTX 2060 12GB) vs 26.8 (GeForce RTX 2070) — the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB offers 26.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2018).