GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design vs GeForce RTX 3060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design

2020Core: 930 MHzBoost: 1155 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 3060
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

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 2070 Super with Max-Q Design

2020

Why buy it

  • 185.7% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (320 vs 112).
  • Draws 80W instead of 170W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3060 across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3060 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 51.7 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3060

2021

Why buy it

  • 21.3% 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).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 8 GB).
  • More future proof: Ampere on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 320), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • 112.5% higher power demand at 170W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3060 better than GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 21.3% more average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data, 26.4% higher PassMark G3D performance, and 12 GB vs 8 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2021 instead of 2020, 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 a newer 2021 generation instead of 2020, 26.4% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 GB instead of 8 GB, and a 8nm process instead of 12nm. 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 21.3% more estimated average FPS across 48 tracked games in our benchmark data and 26.4% 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 2070 Super with Max-Q Design still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design 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 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low111 FPS149 FPS
medium93 FPS131 FPS
high78 FPS118 FPS
ultra52 FPS99 FPS
1440p
low94 FPS126 FPS
medium79 FPS104 FPS
high59 FPS92 FPS
ultra38 FPS80 FPS
4K
low39 FPS67 FPS
medium35 FPS58 FPS
high22 FPS39 FPS
ultra18 FPS32 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low252 FPS354 FPS
medium213 FPS310 FPS
high179 FPS249 FPS
ultra154 FPS195 FPS
1440p
low197 FPS222 FPS
medium163 FPS196 FPS
high137 FPS160 FPS
ultra112 FPS128 FPS
4K
low115 FPS110 FPS
medium98 FPS94 FPS
high79 FPS77 FPS
ultra58 FPS60 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low605 FPS765 FPS
medium484 FPS612 FPS
high403 FPS510 FPS
ultra302 FPS382 FPS
1440p
low454 FPS535 FPS
medium363 FPS432 FPS
high302 FPS366 FPS
ultra227 FPS287 FPS
4K
low302 FPS367 FPS
medium242 FPS298 FPS
high202 FPS221 FPS
ultra151 FPS176 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
1080p
low247 FPS523 FPS
medium214 FPS452 FPS
high172 FPS383 FPS
ultra146 FPS319 FPS
1440p
low189 FPS428 FPS
medium167 FPS371 FPS
high131 FPS298 FPS
ultra108 FPS245 FPS
4K
low112 FPS279 FPS
medium94 FPS259 FPS
high76 FPS225 FPS
ultra58 FPS186 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design and GeForce RTX 3060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design

The GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 2 2020. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 930 MHz to 1155 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 80W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 13,444 points.

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.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design scores 13,444 versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 16,995 — the GeForce RTX 3060 leads by 26.4%. The GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3060 uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) vs 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060). Raw compute: 5.914 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) vs 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060). Boost clocks: 1155 MHz vs 1777 MHz. Ray tracing: 40 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) vs 28 (GeForce RTX 3060) with 320 Tensor cores vs 112.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
G3D Mark Score
13,444
16,995+26%
Architecture
Turing
Ampere
Process Node
12 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
2560
3584+40%
Compute (TFLOPS)
5.914 TFLOPS
12.74 TFLOPS+115%
Boost Clock
1155 MHz
1777 MHz+54%
ROPs
64+33%
48
TMUs
160+43%
112
L1 Cache
2.5 MB
3.5 MB+40%
L2 Cache
4 MB+33%
3 MB
Ray Tracing Cores
40+43%
28
Tensor Cores
320+186%
112

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce 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 2070 Super with Max-Q Design 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: 352 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) — a 2.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 256-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) vs 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) — the GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
12 GB+50%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
352 GB/s
360 GB/s+2%
Bus Width
256-bit+33%
192-bit
L2 Cache
4 MB+33%
3 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) vs NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060). Decoder: NVDEC 4th Gen vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) vs AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060).

FeatureGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
Encoder
NVENC 7th Gen
NVENC 7th Gen
Decoder
NVDEC 4th Gen
NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265,VP9,AV1
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design draws 80W versus the GeForce RTX 3060's 170W — a 72% difference. The GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q Design) 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: 75 vs 75.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
TDP
80W-53%
170W
Recommended PSU
500W-9%
550W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
8-pin
Length
0mm
242mm
Height
0mm
112mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
75
75
Perf/Watt
168.1+68%
100.0
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 2070 Super with Max-Q DesignGeForce RTX 3060
MSRP
$329
Codename
TU104
GA106
Release
April 2 2020
January 12 2021
Ranking
#188
#114