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 3060 12GB

2022

Why buy it

✅41.9% more average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅150% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (280 vs 112).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌105.9% higher power demand at 350W vs 170W.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 170W instead of 350W, a 180W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 12GB across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 280), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

2022

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

✅41.9% more average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.0 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅150% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (280 vs 112).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).

Why buy it

✅Draws 170W instead of 350W, a 180W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌105.9% higher power demand at 350W vs 170W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 12GB across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 280), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.0 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 12GB better than GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 41.9% more average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data, 27.4% higher PassMark G3D performance, 280 vs 112 Tensor cores, and 12 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 27.4% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 6 GB, and 150.0% more ray-tracing hardware. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $329 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 41.9% more estimated average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data and 27.4% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around an unclear MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

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 3060 12GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	166 FPS	109 FPS
medium	151 FPS	98 FPS
high	133 FPS	84 FPS
ultra	113 FPS	70 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	95 FPS
medium	116 FPS	83 FPS
high	98 FPS	70 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	59 FPS
4K
low	80 FPS	48 FPS
medium	67 FPS	43 FPS
high	51 FPS	30 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	26 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	494 FPS	357 FPS
medium	425 FPS	310 FPS
high	360 FPS	248 FPS
ultra	323 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	372 FPS	221 FPS
medium	310 FPS	190 FPS
high	258 FPS	154 FPS
ultra	219 FPS	123 FPS
4K
low	193 FPS	108 FPS
medium	167 FPS	89 FPS
high	144 FPS	72 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	55 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	755 FPS	593 FPS
medium	604 FPS	474 FPS
high	503 FPS	395 FPS
ultra	377 FPS	296 FPS
1440p
low	566 FPS	444 FPS
medium	453 FPS	356 FPS
high	377 FPS	296 FPS
ultra	283 FPS	222 FPS
4K
low	377 FPS	296 FPS
medium	302 FPS	237 FPS
high	252 FPS	198 FPS
ultra	189 FPS	148 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	445 FPS	565 FPS
medium	396 FPS	474 FPS
high	330 FPS	395 FPS
ultra	288 FPS	296 FPS
1440p
low	366 FPS	444 FPS
medium	328 FPS	356 FPS
high	271 FPS	296 FPS
ultra	231 FPS	222 FPS
4K
low	237 FPS	296 FPS
medium	217 FPS	237 FPS
high	186 FPS	198 FPS
ultra	160 FPS	148 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 12GB Open GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

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.

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. 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: 13,170 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB scores 16,777 versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 13,170 — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB leads by 27.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 70 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) with 280 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	16,777+27%	13,170
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	8960+150%	3584
Compute (TFLOPS)	30.64 TFLOPS+141%	12.74 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1710 MHz	1777 MHz+4%
ROPs	96+100%	48
TMUs	280+150%	112
L1 Cache	8.8 MB+151%	3.5 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB+100%	3 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	70+150%	28
Tensor Cores	280+150%	112

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
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 3060 12GB comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU has 6 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) — a 7.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	12 GB+100%	6 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	360 GB/s+7%	336 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB+100%	3 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC (7th Gen)
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC (5th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU's 170W — a 69.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.