GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU vs GeForce RTX 4060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU

2022Core: 1552 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4060
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060

2023Core: 1830 MHzBoost: 2460 MHz

Popular choices:

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 3050 A Laptop GPU

2022

Why buy it

  • Measures 1mm instead of 240mm, a 239mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 4060 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 65.4 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4060

2023

Why buy it

  • 69.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 65.4 vs 0 G3D/$ ($299 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with DLSS 3.5 + Frame Generation (2023).
  • 100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
  • More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 23900% longer card at 240mm vs 1mm.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4060 better than GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU?
Yes. GeForce RTX 4060 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 69.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 73.9% higher PassMark G3D performance, 96 vs 80 Tensor cores, and 8 GB vs 4 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2023 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 4060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2022, 73.9% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of 4 GB, and 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. 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 4060 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 4060 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $299 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 69.2% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 73.9% 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 3050 A Laptop GPU still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around an unclear MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 4060 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 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
1080p
low101 FPS167 FPS
medium89 FPS152 FPS
high76 FPS134 FPS
ultra63 FPS115 FPS
1440p
low93 FPS137 FPS
medium78 FPS114 FPS
high65 FPS99 FPS
ultra54 FPS90 FPS
4K
low45 FPS86 FPS
medium42 FPS74 FPS
high30 FPS62 FPS
ultra27 FPS55 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
1080p
low238 FPS392 FPS
medium200 FPS334 FPS
high156 FPS268 FPS
ultra121 FPS211 FPS
1440p
low159 FPS240 FPS
medium129 FPS209 FPS
high104 FPS169 FPS
ultra83 FPS137 FPS
4K
low85 FPS119 FPS
medium69 FPS98 FPS
high57 FPS82 FPS
ultra43 FPS63 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
1080p
low499 FPS812 FPS
medium405 FPS642 FPS
high337 FPS551 FPS
ultra253 FPS440 FPS
1440p
low356 FPS535 FPS
medium303 FPS443 FPS
high253 FPS379 FPS
ultra190 FPS329 FPS
4K
low220 FPS365 FPS
medium185 FPS297 FPS
high141 FPS234 FPS
ultra108 FPS186 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
1080p
low323 FPS746 FPS
medium269 FPS613 FPS
high243 FPS536 FPS
ultra214 FPS440 FPS
1440p
low245 FPS594 FPS
medium201 FPS486 FPS
high168 FPS421 FPS
ultra147 FPS330 FPS
4K
low131 FPS358 FPS
medium113 FPS308 FPS
high98 FPS285 FPS
ultra81 FPS220 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU and GeForce RTX 4060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,240 points. Launch price was $249.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060

The GeForce RTX 4060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 18 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1830 MHz to 2460 MHz. It has 3072 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,548 points. Launch price was $299.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU scores 11,240 versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 19,548 — the GeForce RTX 4060 leads by 73.9%. The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4060 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 2460 MHz. Ray tracing: 20 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 24 (GeForce RTX 4060) with 80 Tensor cores vs 96.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
G3D Mark Score
11,240
19,548+74%
Architecture
Ampere
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
2560
3072+20%
Compute (TFLOPS)
9.098 TFLOPS
15.11 TFLOPS+66%
Boost Clock
1777 MHz
2460 MHz+38%
ROPs
32
48+50%
TMUs
80
96+20%
L1 Cache
2.5 MB
3 MB+20%
L2 Cache
2 MB
24 MB+1100%
Ray Tracing Cores
20
24+20%
Tensor Cores
80
96+20%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060 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 3050 A Laptop GPU lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 4060 supports the newer DLSS 3.5 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
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 3050 A Laptop GPU comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 4060 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 128 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) — a 112.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4060. Bus width: 64-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
VRAM Capacity
4 GB
8 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
128 GB/s
272 GB/s+113%
Bus Width
64-bit
128-bit+100%
L2 Cache
2 MB
24 MB+1100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12_2 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060). Maximum simultaneous displays: 0 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
DirectX
12_2
12 Ultimate
Max Displays
0
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
Encoder
NVENC 7th Gen
NVENC 8th gen
Decoder
NVDEC 5th Gen
NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 115W — a 12.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 4060 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 4060). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs 8-pin. Card length: 1mm vs 240mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 73°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
TDP
130W
115W-12%
Recommended PSU
500W-9%
550W
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
8-pin
Length
1mm
240mm
Height
111mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
80°C
73°C-9%
Perf/Watt
86.5
170.0+97%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4060 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2022).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPUGeForce RTX 4060
MSRP
$299
Codename
GA106
AD107
Release
January 4 2022
May 18 2023
Ranking
#211
#84