GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile vs GeForce RTX 4060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile

2021Core: 900 MHzBoost: 1425 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4060
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060

2023Core: 1830 MHzBoost: 2460 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 Mobile

2021

Why buy it

  • 25% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (120 vs 96).
  • Draws 80W instead of 115W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4060 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 6 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

  • 25.5% 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).
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).
  • More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (96 vs 120), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
  • 43.8% higher power demand at 115W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4060 better than GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile?
Yes. GeForce RTX 4060 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 25.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 30.9% higher PassMark G3D performance, and 8 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2023 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 4060 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2021, 30.9% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of 6 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 25.5% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 30.9% 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 3060 Mobile still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is very strong for 1080p, good for 1440p, and more limited at 4K. 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 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
1080p
low84 FPS167 FPS
medium73 FPS152 FPS
high60 FPS134 FPS
ultra39 FPS115 FPS
1440p
low74 FPS137 FPS
medium65 FPS114 FPS
high47 FPS99 FPS
ultra30 FPS90 FPS
4K
low28 FPS86 FPS
medium26 FPS74 FPS
high17 FPS62 FPS
ultra15 FPS55 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
1080p
low288 FPS392 FPS
medium247 FPS334 FPS
high195 FPS268 FPS
ultra151 FPS211 FPS
1440p
low200 FPS240 FPS
medium174 FPS209 FPS
high140 FPS169 FPS
ultra107 FPS137 FPS
4K
low104 FPS119 FPS
medium87 FPS98 FPS
high71 FPS82 FPS
ultra51 FPS63 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
1080p
low672 FPS812 FPS
medium538 FPS642 FPS
high448 FPS551 FPS
ultra336 FPS440 FPS
1440p
low499 FPS535 FPS
medium403 FPS443 FPS
high336 FPS379 FPS
ultra252 FPS329 FPS
4K
low336 FPS365 FPS
medium269 FPS297 FPS
high220 FPS234 FPS
ultra168 FPS186 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
1080p
low257 FPS746 FPS
medium218 FPS613 FPS
high184 FPS536 FPS
ultra150 FPS440 FPS
1440p
low198 FPS594 FPS
medium175 FPS486 FPS
high148 FPS421 FPS
ultra118 FPS330 FPS
4K
low126 FPS358 FPS
medium109 FPS308 FPS
high87 FPS285 FPS
ultra68 FPS220 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile and GeForce RTX 4060

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile

The GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 900 MHz to 1425 MHz. It has 3840 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 80W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 30 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 14,938 points.

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 3060 Mobile scores 14,938 versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 19,548 — the GeForce RTX 4060 leads by 30.9%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4060 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,840 (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 3,072 (GeForce RTX 4060). Raw compute: 10.94 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 15.11 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4060). Boost clocks: 1425 MHz vs 2460 MHz. Ray tracing: 30 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 24 (GeForce RTX 4060) with 120 Tensor cores vs 96.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
G3D Mark Score
14,938
19,548+31%
Architecture
Ampere
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
3840+25%
3072
Compute (TFLOPS)
10.94 TFLOPS
15.11 TFLOPS+38%
Boost Clock
1425 MHz
2460 MHz+73%
ROPs
48
48
TMUs
120+25%
96
L1 Cache
3.8 MB+27%
3 MB
L2 Cache
3 MB
24 MB+700%
Ray Tracing Cores
30+25%
24
Tensor Cores
120+25%
96

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 3060 Mobile 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 3060 Mobile is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce 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 3060 Mobile comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 4060 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 4060 offers 33.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 272 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4060) — a 23.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 24 MB (GeForce RTX 4060) — the GeForce RTX 4060 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
8 GB+33%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
336 GB/s+24%
272 GB/s
Bus Width
192-bit+50%
128-bit
L2 Cache
3 MB
24 MB+700%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4060). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
DirectX
12.2+2%
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.2
1.3+8%
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
1
4+300%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 7th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs NVENC 8th gen (GeForce RTX 4060). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4060).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
Encoder
7th Gen NVENC
NVENC 8th gen
Decoder
5th Gen NVDEC
NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile draws 80W versus the GeForce RTX 4060's 115W — a 35.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 4060). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 240mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 73°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
TDP
80W-30%
115W
Recommended PSU
500W-9%
550W
Power Connector
Mobile
8-pin
Length
0mm
240mm
Height
0mm
111mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
80°C
73°C-9%
Perf/Watt
186.7+10%
170.0
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4060 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4060
MSRP
$299
Codename
GA106
AD107
Release
January 12 2021
May 18 2023
Ranking
#214
#84