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 8GB

2022

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 46.2 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Draws 170W instead of 290W, a 120W reduction.
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU across 45 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 192), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

2021

Why buy it

✅26.5% more average FPS across 45 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅71.4% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (192 vs 112).

Trade-offs

❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 46.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌70.6% higher power demand at 290W vs 170W.

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

2022

GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

2021

Why buy it

✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 46.2 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Draws 170W instead of 290W, a 120W reduction.
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅26.5% more average FPS across 45 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅71.4% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (192 vs 112).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU across 45 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 192), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 46.2 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌70.6% higher power demand at 290W vs 170W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 8GB better than GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 0.1% higher PassMark G3D performance. It also comes from 2022 instead of 2021, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2021. That makes it the safer long-run choice for modern games.

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

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $329 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting lower estimated average FPS across 45 tracked games in our benchmark data and 0.1% 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 3070 Laptop GPU still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 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 8GB 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 8GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	144 FPS	161 FPS
medium	127 FPS	143 FPS
high	110 FPS	126 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	106 FPS
1440p
low	122 FPS	135 FPS
medium	101 FPS	110 FPS
high	86 FPS	97 FPS
ultra	74 FPS	87 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	81 FPS
medium	58 FPS	69 FPS
high	38 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	32 FPS	47 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	344 FPS	507 FPS
medium	295 FPS	434 FPS
high	238 FPS	359 FPS
ultra	184 FPS	306 FPS
1440p
low	215 FPS	305 FPS
medium	187 FPS	253 FPS
high	155 FPS	224 FPS
ultra	123 FPS	188 FPS
4K
low	106 FPS	142 FPS
medium	89 FPS	120 FPS
high	76 FPS	105 FPS
ultra	58 FPS	84 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	684 FPS	684 FPS
medium	547 FPS	547 FPS
high	456 FPS	456 FPS
ultra	342 FPS	342 FPS
1440p
low	513 FPS	513 FPS
medium	411 FPS	410 FPS
high	342 FPS	342 FPS
ultra	257 FPS	256 FPS
4K
low	342 FPS	342 FPS
medium	274 FPS	274 FPS
high	218 FPS	228 FPS
ultra	171 FPS	171 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
1080p
low	509 FPS	602 FPS
medium	445 FPS	528 FPS
high	378 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	316 FPS	342 FPS
1440p
low	413 FPS	490 FPS
medium	362 FPS	410 FPS
high	291 FPS	340 FPS
ultra	239 FPS	256 FPS
4K
low	270 FPS	293 FPS
medium	253 FPS	270 FPS
high	220 FPS	228 FPS
ultra	171 FPS	171 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 8GB and GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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: 15,208 points.

GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 31 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1575 MHz to 1770 MHz. It has 6144 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 290W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 48 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 15,196 points. Launch price was $599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB scores 15,208 and the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU reaches 15,196 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.1% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 6,144 (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 21.75 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1770 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 48 (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU) with 112 Tensor cores vs 192.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	15,208	15,196
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	3584	6144+71%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	21.75 TFLOPS+71%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz	1770 MHz
ROPs	48	96+100%
TMUs	112	192+71%
L1 Cache	3.5 MB	6 MB+71%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%
Ray Tracing Cores	28	48+71%
Tensor Cores	112	192+71%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 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)

Both cards feature 8 GB of GDDR6. Memory bandwidth: 240 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU) — a 86.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU) — the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	240 GB/s	448 GB/s+87%
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit+100%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 1.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3+8%	1.2
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4+300%	1

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	7th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU's 290W — a 52.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
TDP	170W-41%	290W
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	Mobile
Length	242mm	0mm
Height	112mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	89.5+71%	52.4