GeForce RTX 3060 vs Radeon 860M

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Radeon 860M

2025Core: 600 MHzBoost: 3000 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 3060

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.

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

2021

Why buy it

  • 296.6% more average FPS across 39 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 0 G3D/$ ($329 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 1033.3% higher power demand at 170W vs 15W.

Radeon 860M

2025

Why buy it

  • Draws 15W instead of 170W, a 155W reduction.
  • More future proof: RDNA 3.5 (2024−2025) on 4nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 39 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than Radeon 860M?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 3060 averages 296.6% more FPS across 39 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 4,838 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Radeon 860M is a 2025 model from an older generation with FSR upscaling. 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 3060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 251.3% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 2 GB, and the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of FSR upscaling. 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 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3060 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $329 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 296.6% more estimated average FPS across 39 tracked games in our benchmark data and 251.3% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. Radeon 860M is the newer 2025 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture and lower power draw (15W vs 170W) than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.
When does Radeon 860M make more sense than GeForce RTX 3060?
Yes. Radeon 860M is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (15W vs 170W), and staying closer to an unclear MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3060. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3060 currently gives you 251.3% higher G3D Mark and 296.6% more estimated average FPS across 39 tracked games in our benchmark data. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
1080p
low149 FPS46 FPS
medium131 FPS30 FPS
high118 FPS21 FPS
ultra99 FPS11 FPS
1440p
low126 FPS35 FPS
medium104 FPS20 FPS
high92 FPS11 FPS
ultra80 FPS6 FPS
4K
low67 FPS12 FPS
medium58 FPS8 FPS
high39 FPS5 FPS
ultra32 FPS4 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
1080p
low354 FPS97 FPS
medium310 FPS63 FPS
high249 FPS41 FPS
ultra195 FPS30 FPS
1440p
low222 FPS63 FPS
medium196 FPS32 FPS
high160 FPS24 FPS
ultra128 FPS18 FPS
4K
low110 FPS25 FPS
medium94 FPS14 FPS
high77 FPS12 FPS
ultra60 FPS9 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
1080p
low765 FPS218 FPS
medium612 FPS174 FPS
high510 FPS145 FPS
ultra382 FPS109 FPS
1440p
low535 FPS163 FPS
medium432 FPS131 FPS
high366 FPS109 FPS
ultra287 FPS82 FPS
4K
low367 FPS109 FPS
medium298 FPS87 FPS
high221 FPS73 FPS
ultra176 FPS54 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
1080p
low523 FPS182 FPS
medium452 FPS145 FPS
high383 FPS129 FPS
ultra319 FPS98 FPS
1440p
low428 FPS121 FPS
medium371 FPS99 FPS
high298 FPS86 FPS
ultra245 FPS64 FPS
4K
low279 FPS72 FPS
medium259 FPS59 FPS
high225 FPS47 FPS
ultra186 FPS33 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and Radeon 860M

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. 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: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.

AMD

Radeon 860M

The Radeon 860M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Marchar 2025. It features the RDNA 3.5 architecture. The core clock ranges from 600 MHz to 3000 MHz. It has 512 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 15W. Manufactured using 4 nm process technology. It features 8 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,838 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 versus the Radeon 860M's 4,838 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 251.3%. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the Radeon 860M uses RDNA 3.5, both on 8 nm vs 4 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 512 (Radeon 860M). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 3.072 TFLOPS (Radeon 860M). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 3000 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 8 (Radeon 860M) with 112 Tensor cores.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
G3D Mark Score
16,995+251%
4,838
Architecture
Ampere
RDNA 3.5
Process Node
8 nm
4 nm
Shading Units
3584+600%
512
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS+315%
3.072 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1777 MHz
3000 MHz+69%
ROPs
48+500%
8
TMUs
112+250%
32
L1 Cache
3.5 MB+5733%
0.06 MB
L2 Cache
3 MB+200%
1 MB
Ray Tracing Cores
28+250%
8

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon 860M relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon 860M has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs System. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 1 MB (Radeon 860M) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
VRAM Capacity
12 GB+500%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
360 GB/s
System
Bus Width
192-bit
System
L2 Cache
3 MB+200%
1 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the Radeon 860M's 15W — a 167.6% difference. The Radeon 860M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 350W (Radeon 860M). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
TDP
170W
15W-91%
Recommended PSU
550W
350W-36%
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
242mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
75
Perf/Watt
100.0
322.5+223%
💰

Value Analysis

The Radeon 860M is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060Radeon 860M
MSRP
$329
Codename
GA106
Krackan Point
Release
January 12 2021
Marchar 2025
Ranking
#114
#449