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 Ti

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,200 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 113.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 50.9 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 450W, a 250W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 304mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 across 26 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4090 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

GeForce RTX 4090

2022

Why buy it

✅65.7% more average FPS across 26 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌
300.8% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 50.9 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
❌125% higher power demand at 450W vs 200W.
❌25.6% longer card at 304mm vs 242mm.

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

2020

GeForce RTX 4090

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,200 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Delivers 113.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 50.9 vs 23.8 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs $1,599 MSRP).
✅Draws 200W instead of 450W, a 250W reduction.
✅Measures 242mm instead of 304mm, a 62mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅65.7% more average FPS across 26 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4090 across 26 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4090 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.

Trade-offs

❌
300.8% HIGHER MSRP
$1,599 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 50.9 G3D/$ ($1,599 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
❌125% higher power demand at 450W vs 200W.
❌25.6% longer card at 304mm vs 242mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4090 better than GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4090 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 4090 averages 65.7% more FPS across 26 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 38,112 vs 20,312 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 4090 is a 2022 card with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation, while GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is a 2020 model from an older generation with DLSS Super Resolution. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

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

GeForce RTX 4090 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2020, 87.6% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 24 GB instead of 8 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) instead of DLSS Super Resolution. 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 4090 is about 300.8% more expensive on MSRP at $1,599 MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and you are getting 65.7% more estimated average FPS across 26 tracked games in our benchmark data and 87.6% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3060 Ti still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium. If you are comfortable paying the premium for the stronger gaming result, GeForce RTX 4090 is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3060 Ti still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

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

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is still a strong gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. This mostly comes down to price. If you want to stay closer to $399 MSRP, it remains a strong choice; if you are comfortable paying more, GeForce RTX 4090 earns that extra money with a clearly stronger gaming result and a more complete overall package.

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 Ti Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4090 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
1080p
low	152 FPS	283 FPS
medium	137 FPS	262 FPS
high	118 FPS	224 FPS
ultra	100 FPS	196 FPS
1440p
low	131 FPS	261 FPS
medium	107 FPS	217 FPS
high	91 FPS	173 FPS
ultra	82 FPS	156 FPS
4K
low	77 FPS	180 FPS
medium	65 FPS	149 FPS
high	50 FPS	114 FPS
ultra	43 FPS	102 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Open GeForce RTX 4090

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
1080p
low	425 FPS	910 FPS
medium	366 FPS	726 FPS
high	296 FPS	567 FPS
ultra	248 FPS	478 FPS
1440p
low	272 FPS	728 FPS
medium	229 FPS	607 FPS
high	190 FPS	494 FPS
ultra	156 FPS	397 FPS
4K
low	133 FPS	396 FPS
medium	114 FPS	335 FPS
high	96 FPS	309 FPS
ultra	73 FPS	265 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Open GeForce RTX 4090

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
1080p
low	859 FPS	999 FPS
medium	693 FPS	999 FPS
high	602 FPS	999 FPS
ultra	457 FPS	858 FPS
1440p
low	658 FPS	988 FPS
medium	529 FPS	902 FPS
high	452 FPS	832 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	643 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	580 FPS
medium	346 FPS	504 FPS
high	275 FPS	455 FPS
ultra	221 FPS	388 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Open GeForce RTX 4090

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
1080p
low	580 FPS	999 FPS
medium	514 FPS	971 FPS
high	424 FPS	855 FPS
ultra	373 FPS	764 FPS
1440p
low	478 FPS	830 FPS
medium	427 FPS	728 FPS
high	335 FPS	641 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	561 FPS
4K
low	285 FPS	606 FPS
medium	266 FPS	538 FPS
high	234 FPS	480 FPS
ultra	195 FPS	420 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Open GeForce RTX 4090

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and GeForce RTX 4090

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1410 MHz to 1665 MHz. It has 4864 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 38 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 20,312 points. Launch price was $399.

GeForce RTX 4090

The GeForce RTX 4090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2022. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2235 MHz to 2520 MHz. It has 16384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 450W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 128 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 38,112 points. Launch price was $1,599.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti scores 20,312 versus the GeForce RTX 4090's 38,112 — the GeForce RTX 4090 leads by 87.6%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4090 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 4,864 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 16,384 (GeForce RTX 4090). Raw compute: 16.2 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 82.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4090). Boost clocks: 1665 MHz vs 2520 MHz. Ray tracing: 38 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 128 (GeForce RTX 4090) with 152 Tensor cores vs 512.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
G3D Mark Score	20,312	38,112+88%
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	4864	16384+237%
Compute (TFLOPS)	16.2 TFLOPS	82.58 TFLOPS+410%
Boost Clock	1665 MHz	2520 MHz+51%
ROPs	80	176+120%
TMUs	152	512+237%
L1 Cache	4.8 MB	16 MB+233%
L2 Cache	4 MB	72 MB+1700%
Ray Tracing Cores	38	128+237%
Tensor Cores	152	512+237%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090 is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. 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 Ti lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4090 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4090 has 24 GB. The GeForce RTX 4090 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 1008 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4090) — a 125% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4090. Bus width: 256-bit vs 384-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 72 MB (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 4090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	24 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth	448 GB/s	1008 GB/s+125%
Bus Width	256-bit	384-bit+50%
L2 Cache	4 MB	72 MB+1700%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4090). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (Ampere) (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4090). Decoder: NVDEC (Ampere) vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
Encoder	NVENC (Ampere)	8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder	NVDEC (Ampere)	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti draws 200W versus the GeForce RTX 4090's 450W — a 76.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 1000W (GeForce RTX 4090). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 16-pin (12VHPWR). Card length: 242mm vs 304mm, occupying 2 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	GeForce RTX 4090
TDP	200W-56%	450W
Recommended PSU	600W-40%	1000W
Power Connector	8-pin	16-pin (12VHPWR)
Length	242mm	304mm
Height	112mm	137mm
Slots	2-33%	3
Temp (Load)	75-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	101.6+20%	84.7

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti launched at $399 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4090 launched at $1599. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti costs 75% less ($1200 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 50.9 (GeForce RTX 3060 Ti) vs 23.8 (GeForce RTX 4090) — the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti offers 113.9% better value. The GeForce RTX 4090 is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).