GeForce RTX 3060 vs RTX A4500 Mobile

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060

2021Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
NVIDIA

RTX A4500 Mobile

2022Core: 930 MHzBoost: 1500 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

  • 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).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than RTX A4500 Mobile across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 184), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • 21.4% higher power demand at 170W vs 140W.

RTX A4500 Mobile

2022

Why buy it

  • 12.2% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 64.3% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (184 vs 112).
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 12 GB).
  • Draws 140W instead of 170W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • 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).

Quick Answers

So, is RTX A4500 Mobile better than GeForce RTX 3060?
Yes. RTX A4500 Mobile is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 12.2% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data, 2.3% higher PassMark G3D performance, 184 vs 112 Tensor cores, and 16 GB vs 12 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2022 instead of 2021, 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 better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. 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?
RTX A4500 Mobile is priced in an unclear MSRP range at an unclear MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and you are getting 12.2% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and a lower G3D Mark (16,613 vs 16,995). GeForce RTX 3060 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, RTX A4500 Mobile is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3060 still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.
When does GeForce RTX 3060 make more sense than RTX A4500 Mobile?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. It makes more sense if your priority is future-proofing and staying closer to $329 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of RTX A4500 Mobile. The trade-off is that RTX A4500 Mobile currently gives you a lower G3D Mark (16,613 vs 16,995) and 12.2% more estimated average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data. GeForce RTX 3060 still holds the G3D-per-dollar lead, so the performance win comes with a real value premium.

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 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
1080p
low149 FPS166 FPS
medium131 FPS148 FPS
high118 FPS125 FPS
ultra99 FPS90 FPS
1440p
low126 FPS146 FPS
medium104 FPS124 FPS
high92 FPS91 FPS
ultra80 FPS66 FPS
4K
low67 FPS70 FPS
medium58 FPS60 FPS
high39 FPS43 FPS
ultra32 FPS38 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
1080p
low354 FPS354 FPS
medium310 FPS306 FPS
high249 FPS251 FPS
ultra195 FPS209 FPS
1440p
low222 FPS250 FPS
medium196 FPS206 FPS
high160 FPS179 FPS
ultra128 FPS145 FPS
4K
low110 FPS127 FPS
medium94 FPS108 FPS
high77 FPS94 FPS
ultra60 FPS72 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
1080p
low765 FPS748 FPS
medium612 FPS598 FPS
high510 FPS498 FPS
ultra382 FPS374 FPS
1440p
low535 FPS561 FPS
medium432 FPS449 FPS
high366 FPS374 FPS
ultra287 FPS280 FPS
4K
low367 FPS374 FPS
medium298 FPS299 FPS
high221 FPS249 FPS
ultra176 FPS187 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
1080p
low523 FPS282 FPS
medium452 FPS246 FPS
high383 FPS201 FPS
ultra319 FPS173 FPS
1440p
low428 FPS216 FPS
medium371 FPS193 FPS
high298 FPS159 FPS
ultra245 FPS133 FPS
4K
low279 FPS131 FPS
medium259 FPS112 FPS
high225 FPS90 FPS
ultra186 FPS72 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX A4500 Mobile

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.

NVIDIA

RTX A4500 Mobile

The RTX A4500 Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 22 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 930 MHz to 1500 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 140W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,613 points.

Graphics Performance

The GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 and the RTX A4500 Mobile reaches 16,613 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.3% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the RTX A4500 Mobile uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 5,888 (RTX A4500 Mobile). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 17.66 TFLOPS (RTX A4500 Mobile). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1500 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 46 (RTX A4500 Mobile) with 112 Tensor cores vs 184.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
G3D Mark Score
16,995+2%
16,613
Architecture
Ampere
Ampere
Process Node
8 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
3584
5888+64%
Compute (TFLOPS)
12.74 TFLOPS
17.66 TFLOPS+39%
Boost Clock
1777 MHz+18%
1500 MHz
ROPs
48
96+100%
TMUs
112
184+64%
L1 Cache
3.5 MB
5.8 MB+66%
L2 Cache
3 MB
4 MB+33%
Ray Tracing Cores
28
46+64%
Tensor Cores
112
184+64%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The RTX A4500 Mobile supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3060 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the RTX A4500 Mobile has 16 GB. The RTX A4500 Mobile offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 4 MB (RTX A4500 Mobile) — the RTX A4500 Mobile has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
VRAM Capacity
12 GB
16 GB+33%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Bus Width
192-bit+50%
128-bit
L2 Cache
3 MB
4 MB+33%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.2 (RTX A4500 Mobile). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 1.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12.2+2%
Vulkan
1.3+8%
1.2
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4+300%
1
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 7th Gen NVENC (RTX A4500 Mobile). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (RTX A4500 Mobile).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
Encoder
NVENC 7th Gen
7th Gen NVENC
Decoder
NVDEC 5th Gen
5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs
AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the RTX A4500 Mobile's 140W — a 19.4% difference. The RTX A4500 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 650W (RTX A4500 Mobile). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
TDP
170W
140W-18%
Recommended PSU
550W-15%
650W
Power Connector
8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
242mm
0mm
Height
112mm
0mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75-6%
80°C
Perf/Watt
100.0
118.7+19%
💰

Value Analysis

The RTX A4500 Mobile is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060RTX A4500 Mobile
MSRP
$329
Codename
GA106
GA104
Release
January 12 2021
March 22 2022
Ranking
#114
#119