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 GTX 1060 (Mobile)

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 115W instead of 170W, a 55W reduction.
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅36.2% more average FPS across 48 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).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌47.8% higher power demand at 170W vs 115W.

GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)

2023

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 115W instead of 170W, a 55W reduction.
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅36.2% more average FPS across 48 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).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌47.8% higher power demand at 170W vs 115W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 3060 averages 36.2% more FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 16,995 vs 8,160 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3060 is a 2021 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) is a 2023 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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 GTX 1060 (Mobile) is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2021, the stronger feature stack with no meaningful modern upscaling stack instead of DLSS Super Resolution, and a 5nm process instead of 8nm. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.

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 36.2% more estimated average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data and 108.3% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) is the newer 2023 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture, lower power draw (115W vs 170W), and future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.

When does GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) make more sense than GeForce RTX 3060?

Yes. GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) 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 (115W vs 170W), future-proofing, 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 108.3% higher G3D Mark and 36.2% more estimated average FPS across 48 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.

GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3060 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	106 FPS	149 FPS
medium	95 FPS	131 FPS
high	83 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	99 FPS
1440p
low	95 FPS	126 FPS
medium	83 FPS	104 FPS
high	71 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	59 FPS	80 FPS
4K
low	50 FPS	67 FPS
medium	47 FPS	58 FPS
high	35 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	31 FPS	32 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)Open GeForce RTX 3060

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	216 FPS	354 FPS
medium	182 FPS	310 FPS
high	153 FPS	249 FPS
ultra	114 FPS	195 FPS
1440p
low	135 FPS	222 FPS
medium	109 FPS	196 FPS
high	90 FPS	160 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	128 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	110 FPS
medium	53 FPS	94 FPS
high	51 FPS	77 FPS
ultra	41 FPS	60 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)Open GeForce RTX 3060

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	367 FPS	765 FPS
medium	294 FPS	612 FPS
high	245 FPS	510 FPS
ultra	184 FPS	382 FPS
1440p
low	275 FPS	535 FPS
medium	220 FPS	432 FPS
high	184 FPS	366 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	287 FPS
4K
low	184 FPS	367 FPS
medium	147 FPS	298 FPS
high	122 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	176 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)Open GeForce RTX 3060

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low	367 FPS	523 FPS
medium	294 FPS	452 FPS
high	245 FPS	383 FPS
ultra	184 FPS	319 FPS
1440p
low	275 FPS	428 FPS
medium	220 FPS	371 FPS
high	184 FPS	298 FPS
ultra	138 FPS	245 FPS
4K
low	184 FPS	279 FPS
medium	147 FPS	259 FPS
high	122 FPS	225 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	186 FPS

Open GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)Open GeForce RTX 3060

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) and GeForce RTX 3060

GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)

The GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 3 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1545 MHz to 1890 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,160 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 GTX 1060 (Mobile) scores 8,160 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 108.3%. The GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) is built on Ada Lovelace while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 3,072 (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 11.61 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1890 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 24 RT cores (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 96 Tensor cores vs 112.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score	8,160	16,995+108%
Architecture	Ada Lovelace	Ampere
Process Node	5 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	3072	3584+17%
Compute (TFLOPS)	11.61 TFLOPS	12.74 TFLOPS+10%
Boost Clock	1890 MHz+6%	1777 MHz
ROPs	48	48
TMUs	96	112+17%
L1 Cache	3 MB	3.5 MB+17%
L2 Cache	32 MB+967%	3 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	24	28+17%
Tensor Cores	96	112+17%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3060 supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	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 GTX 1060 (Mobile) comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 87.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 32 MB (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	12 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	360 GB/s+88%
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	32 MB+967%	3 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) 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 GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
DirectX	12	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 6th Gen (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: NVDEC 3rd Gen vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265 (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
Encoder	NVENC 6th Gen	NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder	NVDEC 3rd Gen	NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265	AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) draws 115W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 38.6% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile) is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 242mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 70 vs 75.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 (Mobile)	GeForce RTX 3060
TDP	115W-32%	170W
Recommended PSU	500W-9%	550W
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	8-pin
Length	0mm	242mm
Height	0mm	112mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	70-7%	75
Perf/Watt	71.0	100.0+41%