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 3090

2020

Why buy it

✅+17.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅141.2% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 136).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
275.7% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 56.8 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
❌118.8% higher power demand at 350W vs 160W.

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,100 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 220% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 56.8 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 160W instead of 350W, a 190W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (22,651 vs 26,594).
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (136 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3090

2020

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

2023

Why buy it

✅+17.4% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅141.2% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (328 vs 136).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (24 GB vs 8 GB).

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,100 less on MSRP ($399 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 220% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 56.8 vs 17.7 G3D/$ ($399 MSRP vs $1,499 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
✅More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.
✅Draws 160W instead of 350W, a 190W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌
275.7% HIGHER MSRP
$1,499 MSRPvs$399 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 17.7 vs 56.8 G3D/$ ($1,499 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
❌118.8% higher power demand at 350W vs 160W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (22,651 vs 26,594).
❌Less VRAM, with 8 GB vs 24 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (136 vs 328), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3090 better than GeForce RTX 4060 Ti?

Yes, but this is not really about a huge raw performance gap. The broader synthetic picture is also very close at 26,594 vs 22,651 in G3D Mark. The bigger reason to prefer GeForce RTX 3090 is the overall package: you are getting DLSS Super Resolution.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020, better upscaling support with DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution (2023) instead of DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) and better frame-generation support with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023) 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 3090 is about 275.7% more expensive on MSRP at $1,499 MSRP versus $399 MSRP, and you are getting 17.4% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 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 3090 is the one to buy. If staying closer to budget matters more, GeForce RTX 4060 Ti still makes more sense on price alone and remains capable enough for modern gaming.

When does GeForce RTX 4060 Ti make more sense than GeForce RTX 3090?

Yes. GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is still an excellent gaming GPU in 2026: it is excellent for 1080p, very strong for 1440p, and still capable at 4K with sensible settings or upscaling. It makes more sense if your priority is newer architecture, lower power draw (160W vs 350W), future-proofing, and staying closer to $399 MSRP more than squeezing out the extra headroom of GeForce RTX 3090. The trade-off is that GeForce RTX 3090 currently gives you 17.4% higher G3D Mark. GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 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 3090 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
1080p
low	328 FPS	177 FPS
medium	313 FPS	162 FPS
high	259 FPS	142 FPS
ultra	203 FPS	124 FPS
1440p
low	313 FPS	143 FPS
medium	262 FPS	118 FPS
high	202 FPS	101 FPS
ultra	161 FPS	93 FPS
4K
low	181 FPS	93 FPS
medium	149 FPS	79 FPS
high	106 FPS	66 FPS
ultra	94 FPS	59 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3090 Open GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
1080p
low	702 FPS	425 FPS
medium	599 FPS	359 FPS
high	472 FPS	292 FPS
ultra	413 FPS	237 FPS
1440p
low	500 FPS	270 FPS
medium	420 FPS	229 FPS
high	331 FPS	186 FPS
ultra	276 FPS	154 FPS
4K
low	242 FPS	117 FPS
medium	201 FPS	95 FPS
high	167 FPS	77 FPS
ultra	141 FPS	60 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3090 Open GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
1080p
low	999 FPS	855 FPS
medium	957 FPS	693 FPS
high	798 FPS	609 FPS
ultra	598 FPS	510 FPS
1440p
low	898 FPS	660 FPS
medium	718 FPS	527 FPS
high	598 FPS	452 FPS
ultra	449 FPS	382 FPS
4K
low	569 FPS	447 FPS
medium	479 FPS	355 FPS
high	399 FPS	308 FPS
ultra	299 FPS	255 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3090 Open GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
1080p
low	904 FPS	775 FPS
medium	841 FPS	639 FPS
high	733 FPS	558 FPS
ultra	598 FPS	492 FPS
1440p
low	707 FPS	613 FPS
medium	658 FPS	503 FPS
high	570 FPS	435 FPS
ultra	449 FPS	378 FPS
4K
low	513 FPS	375 FPS
medium	479 FPS	322 FPS
high	399 FPS	298 FPS
ultra	299 FPS	255 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3090 Open GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3090 and GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

GeForce RTX 3090

The GeForce RTX 3090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 82 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,594 points. Launch price was $1,499.

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 2310 MHz to 2535 MHz. It has 4352 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 160W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 34 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,651 points. Launch price was $399.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3090 scores 26,594 versus the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti's 22,651 — the GeForce RTX 3090 leads by 17.4%. The GeForce RTX 3090 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 4,352 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). Raw compute: 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 22.06 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). Boost clocks: 1695 MHz vs 2535 MHz. Ray tracing: 82 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 34 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) with 328 Tensor cores vs 136.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
G3D Mark Score	26,594+17%	22,651
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	10496+141%	4352
Compute (TFLOPS)	35.58 TFLOPS+61%	22.06 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1695 MHz	2535 MHz+50%
ROPs	112+133%	48
TMUs	328+141%	136
L1 Cache	10.3 MB+140%	4.3 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB	32 MB+433%
Ray Tracing Cores	82+141%	34
Tensor Cores	328+141%	136

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is support for DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3090 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3090 is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction	No	Yes (DLSS 3.5)
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3090 comes with 24 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3090 offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 288 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) — a 225% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Bus width: 384-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 32 MB (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
VRAM Capacity	24 GB+200%	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6X	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	936 GB/s+225%	288 GB/s
Bus Width	384-bit+200%	128-bit
L2 Cache	6 MB	32 MB+433%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	8th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3090 draws 350W versus the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti's 160W — a 74.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 312mm vs 240mm, occupying 3 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 70°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3090	GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
TDP	350W	160W-54%
Recommended PSU	750W	550W-27%
Power Connector	2x 8-pin	8-pin
Length	312mm	240mm
Height	140mm	111mm
Slots	3	2-33%
Temp (Load)	85°C	70°C-18%
Perf/Watt	76.0	141.6+86%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3090 launched at $1499 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti launched at $399. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti costs 73.4% less ($1100 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 17.7 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 56.8 (GeForce RTX 4060 Ti) — the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti offers 220.9% better value. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2020).