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 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 170W, a 40W reduction.
✅Measures 235mm instead of 242mm, a 7mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (80 vs 112), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅34.4% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅40% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (112 vs 80).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌30.8% higher power demand at 170W vs 130W.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $80 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 170W, a 40W reduction.
✅Measures 235mm instead of 242mm, a 7mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Why buy it

✅34.4% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅40% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (112 vs 80).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (80 vs 112), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌30.8% higher power demand at 170W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than GeForce RTX 3050 OEM?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 34.4% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data, 42.9% higher PassMark G3D performance, 112 vs 80 Tensor cores, and 12 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2021 instead of 2022, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.

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 42.9% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB, and 40.0% 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 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3060 is about 32.1% more expensive on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 34.4% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and 42.9% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 8.2%. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer 2022 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture and lower power draw (130W vs 170W) than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does GeForce RTX 3050 OEM make more sense than GeForce RTX 3060?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM 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 (130W vs 170W), and staying closer to $249 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3060. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3060 currently gives you 42.9% higher G3D Mark and 34.4% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 8.2%.

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 3050 OEM Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3060 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	130 FPS	149 FPS
medium	113 FPS	131 FPS
high	99 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	99 FPS
1440p
low	119 FPS	126 FPS
medium	96 FPS	104 FPS
high	81 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	69 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	67 FPS
medium	57 FPS	58 FPS
high	39 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	33 FPS	32 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Open GeForce RTX 3060

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	239 FPS	354 FPS
medium	206 FPS	310 FPS
high	164 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	163 FPS	222 FPS
medium	135 FPS	196 FPS
high	112 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	128 FPS
4K
low	88 FPS	110 FPS
medium	74 FPS	94 FPS
high	62 FPS	77 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	60 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Open GeForce RTX 3060

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	535 FPS	765 FPS
medium	428 FPS	612 FPS
high	357 FPS	510 FPS
ultra	268 FPS	382 FPS
1440p
low	401 FPS	535 FPS
medium	321 FPS	432 FPS
high	268 FPS	366 FPS
ultra	201 FPS	287 FPS
4K
low	268 FPS	367 FPS
medium	214 FPS	298 FPS
high	178 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	134 FPS	176 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Open GeForce RTX 3060

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	467 FPS	523 FPS
medium	414 FPS	452 FPS
high	335 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	268 FPS	319 FPS
1440p
low	372 FPS	428 FPS
medium	321 FPS	371 FPS
high	236 FPS	298 FPS
ultra	197 FPS	245 FPS
4K
low	199 FPS	279 FPS
medium	175 FPS	259 FPS
high	150 FPS	225 FPS
ultra	125 FPS	186 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Open GeForce RTX 3060

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 OEM and GeForce RTX 3060

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,892 points.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM scores 11,892 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 42.9%. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1755 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 20 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 80 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	11,892	16,995+43%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	3584+40%
Compute (TFLOPS)	8.986 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+42%
Boost Clock	1755 MHz	1777 MHz+1%
ROPs	32	48+50%
TMUs	80	112+40%
L1 Cache	2.5 MB	3.5 MB+40%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%
Ray Tracing Cores	20	28+40%
Tensor Cores	80	112+40%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
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 3050 OEM comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 60.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	12 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s	360 GB/s+61%
Bus Width	128-bit	192-bit+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB	3 MB+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	12.2+2%	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	8th Gen NVENC	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	5th Gen NVDEC	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 26.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 235mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	130W-24%	170W
Recommended PSU	450W-18%	550W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	235mm	242mm
Height	124mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75
Perf/Watt	91.5	100.0+9%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM costs 24.3% less ($80 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 47.8 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 51.7 (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 3060 offers 8.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2021).