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 8GB

2022

Why buy it

✅Costs $170 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Draws 170W instead of 220W, a 50W reduction.
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 40 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 184), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

✅33.5% more average FPS across 40 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).

Trade-offs

❌
51.7% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌29.4% higher power demand at 220W vs 170W.

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

2022

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $170 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Draws 170W instead of 220W, a 50W reduction.
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅33.5% more average FPS across 40 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).

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 40 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (112 vs 184), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Trade-offs

❌
51.7% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$329 MSRP
❌29.4% higher power demand at 220W vs 170W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 better than GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 33.5% more average FPS across 40 tracked games in our benchmark data, 45.8% higher PassMark G3D performance, and 184 vs 112 Tensor cores. It also comes from 2020 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 8GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the safer long-run choice for modern games.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 3070 is about 51.7% more expensive on MSRP at $499 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and you are getting 33.5% more estimated average FPS across 40 tracked games in our benchmark data and 45.8% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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, GeForce RTX 3070 is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 3060 8GB still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

When does GeForce RTX 3060 8GB make more sense than GeForce RTX 3070?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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 newer architecture, lower power draw (170W vs 220W), future-proofing, and staying closer to $329 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3070. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3070 currently gives you 45.8% higher G3D Mark and 33.5% more estimated average FPS across 40 tracked games in our benchmark data. GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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.

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3070 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low	183 FPS	158 FPS
medium	163 FPS	140 FPS
high	140 FPS	123 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	104 FPS
1440p
low	154 FPS	134 FPS
medium	127 FPS	109 FPS
high	108 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	86 FPS
4K
low	73 FPS	80 FPS
medium	63 FPS	67 FPS
high	42 FPS	52 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	45 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3070

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low	350 FPS	470 FPS
medium	298 FPS	405 FPS
high	240 FPS	327 FPS
ultra	185 FPS	277 FPS
1440p
low	214 FPS	294 FPS
medium	182 FPS	246 FPS
high	149 FPS	213 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	179 FPS
4K
low	104 FPS	141 FPS
medium	85 FPS	120 FPS
high	71 FPS	105 FPS
ultra	54 FPS	83 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3070

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low	684 FPS	885 FPS
medium	547 FPS	712 FPS
high	456 FPS	619 FPS
ultra	342 FPS	499 FPS
1440p
low	513 FPS	692 FPS
medium	411 FPS	557 FPS
high	342 FPS	473 FPS
ultra	257 FPS	374 FPS
4K
low	342 FPS	479 FPS
medium	274 FPS	388 FPS
high	228 FPS	330 FPS
ultra	171 FPS	249 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3070

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low	545 FPS	600 FPS
medium	478 FPS	527 FPS
high	402 FPS	433 FPS
ultra	333 FPS	385 FPS
1440p
low	434 FPS	489 FPS
medium	382 FPS	433 FPS
high	305 FPS	339 FPS
ultra	248 FPS	297 FPS
4K
low	285 FPS	292 FPS
medium	268 FPS	270 FPS
high	228 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	171 FPS	200 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3070

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 8GB and GeForce RTX 3070

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 12 2022. 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: 15,208 points.

GeForce RTX 3070

The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB scores 15,208 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 45.8%. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1725 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 3070) with 112 Tensor cores vs 184.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
G3D Mark Score	15,208	22,172+46%
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	3584	5888+64%
Compute (TFLOPS)	12.74 TFLOPS	20.31 TFLOPS+59%
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+3%	1725 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)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
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)

Both cards feature 8 GB of GDDR6. Memory bandwidth: 240 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) — a 86.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	240 GB/s	448 GB/s+87%
Bus Width	128-bit	256-bit+100%
L2 Cache	3 MB	4 MB+33%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	NVENC 7th gen
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 25.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3060 8GB	GeForce RTX 3070
TDP	170W-23%	220W
Recommended PSU	550W-15%	650W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	242mm	242mm
Height	112mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	75°C
Perf/Watt	89.5	100.8+13%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB launched at $329 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB costs 34.1% less ($170 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 46.2 (GeForce RTX 3060 8GB) vs 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB offers 4.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).