GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 3070

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1320 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 3070
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3070

2020Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1725 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 3060 Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • Draws 170W instead of 220W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 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.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 44.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $499 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

  • 38.9% more average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • 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 (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 29.4% higher power demand at 220W vs 170W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3070 better than GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3070 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 38.9% more average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data, 68.4% higher PassMark G3D performance, 184 vs 112 Tensor cores, and 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM. 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 Laptop GPU 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 the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3070 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $499 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 38.9% more estimated average FPS across 37 tracked games in our benchmark data and 68.4% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the newer 2022 card, so it still has a real case if you care more about newer architecture, lower power draw (170W vs 220W), and future-proofing than about squeezing out the strongest gaming value today.
When does GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU make more sense than GeForce RTX 3070?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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 an unclear MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3070. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3070 currently gives you 68.4% higher G3D Mark and 38.9% more estimated average FPS across 37 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low109 FPS158 FPS
medium98 FPS140 FPS
high84 FPS123 FPS
ultra70 FPS104 FPS
1440p
low95 FPS134 FPS
medium83 FPS109 FPS
high70 FPS96 FPS
ultra59 FPS86 FPS
4K
low48 FPS80 FPS
medium43 FPS67 FPS
high30 FPS52 FPS
ultra26 FPS45 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low357 FPS470 FPS
medium310 FPS405 FPS
high248 FPS327 FPS
ultra195 FPS277 FPS
1440p
low221 FPS294 FPS
medium190 FPS246 FPS
high154 FPS213 FPS
ultra123 FPS179 FPS
4K
low108 FPS141 FPS
medium89 FPS120 FPS
high72 FPS105 FPS
ultra55 FPS83 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low593 FPS885 FPS
medium474 FPS712 FPS
high395 FPS619 FPS
ultra296 FPS499 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS692 FPS
medium356 FPS557 FPS
high296 FPS473 FPS
ultra222 FPS374 FPS
4K
low296 FPS479 FPS
medium237 FPS388 FPS
high198 FPS330 FPS
ultra148 FPS249 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
1080p
low565 FPS600 FPS
medium474 FPS527 FPS
high395 FPS433 FPS
ultra296 FPS385 FPS
1440p
low444 FPS489 FPS
medium356 FPS433 FPS
high296 FPS339 FPS
ultra222 FPS297 FPS
4K
low296 FPS292 FPS
medium237 FPS270 FPS
high198 FPS238 FPS
ultra148 FPS200 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU and GeForce RTX 3070

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 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: 13,170 points.

NVIDIA

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 Laptop GPU scores 13,170 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 68.4%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1725 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 3070) with 112 Tensor cores vs 184.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
G3D Mark Score
13,170
22,172+68%
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)

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce 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)

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3070 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 192-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
8 GB+33%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
336 GB/s
448 GB/s+33%
Bus Width
192-bit
256-bit+33%
L2 Cache
3 MB
4 MB+33%
🖥️

Display & API Support

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

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.4
1.4
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

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

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
Encoder
NVENC (7th Gen)
NVENC 7th gen
Decoder
NVDEC (5th Gen)
NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode),VP9
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 25.6% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
TDP
170W-23%
220W
Recommended PSU
500W-23%
650W
Power Connector
Mobile
8-pin
Length
242mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
75°C
Perf/Watt
77.5
100.8+30%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 3070
MSRP
$499
Codename
GA106
GA104
Release
October 12 2022
September 1 2020
Ranking
#147
#63