GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile vs GeForce RTX 4070

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile

2021Core: 900 MHzBoost: 1425 MHz

Popular choices:

RTX 4070
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4070

2023Core: 1920 MHzBoost: 2475 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

  • Draws 80W instead of 200W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 4070 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 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 4070 is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 44.9 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $599 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 4070

2023

Why buy it

  • 62.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 44.9 vs 0 G3D/$ ($599 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 (12 GB vs 6 GB).
  • More future proof: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 150% higher power demand at 200W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 4070 better than GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile?
Yes. GeForce RTX 4070 is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 62.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 80.2% higher PassMark G3D performance, 184 vs 120 Tensor cores, and 12 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 4070 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2023 generation instead of 2021, 80.2% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 12 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 4070 is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 4070 is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $599 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 62.1% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 80.2% 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 4070 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 4070
1080p
low84 FPS183 FPS
medium73 FPS167 FPS
high60 FPS151 FPS
ultra39 FPS131 FPS
1440p
low74 FPS150 FPS
medium65 FPS124 FPS
high47 FPS110 FPS
ultra30 FPS101 FPS
4K
low28 FPS92 FPS
medium26 FPS78 FPS
high17 FPS65 FPS
ultra15 FPS58 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low288 FPS544 FPS
medium247 FPS454 FPS
high195 FPS353 FPS
ultra151 FPS299 FPS
1440p
low200 FPS351 FPS
medium174 FPS288 FPS
high140 FPS235 FPS
ultra107 FPS197 FPS
4K
low104 FPS172 FPS
medium87 FPS144 FPS
high71 FPS125 FPS
ultra51 FPS101 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low672 FPS884 FPS
medium538 FPS713 FPS
high448 FPS643 FPS
ultra336 FPS569 FPS
1440p
low499 FPS684 FPS
medium403 FPS549 FPS
high336 FPS483 FPS
ultra252 FPS424 FPS
4K
low336 FPS467 FPS
medium269 FPS373 FPS
high220 FPS326 FPS
ultra168 FPS277 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
1080p
low257 FPS751 FPS
medium218 FPS612 FPS
high184 FPS536 FPS
ultra150 FPS497 FPS
1440p
low198 FPS615 FPS
medium175 FPS500 FPS
high148 FPS433 FPS
ultra118 FPS395 FPS
4K
low126 FPS384 FPS
medium109 FPS324 FPS
high87 FPS301 FPS
ultra68 FPS272 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile and GeForce RTX 4070

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 4070

The GeForce RTX 4070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in April 12 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1920 MHz to 2475 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 200W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,919 points. Launch price was $599.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile scores 14,938 versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 26,919 — the GeForce RTX 4070 leads by 80.2%. The GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 4070 uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,840 (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 4070). Raw compute: 10.94 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 29.15 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 4070). Boost clocks: 1425 MHz vs 2475 MHz. Ray tracing: 30 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 4070) with 120 Tensor cores vs 184.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
G3D Mark Score
14,938
26,919+80%
Architecture
Ampere
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
3840
5888+53%
Compute (TFLOPS)
10.94 TFLOPS
29.15 TFLOPS+166%
Boost Clock
1425 MHz
2475 MHz+74%
ROPs
48
64+33%
TMUs
120
184+53%
L1 Cache
3.8 MB
5.8 MB+53%
L2 Cache
3 MB
36 MB+1100%
Ray Tracing Cores
30
46+53%
Tensor Cores
120
184+53%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070 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 4070 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 4070
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 4070 has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 4070 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 336 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 504 GB/s (GeForce RTX 4070) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce RTX 4070. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 36 MB (GeForce RTX 4070) — the GeForce RTX 4070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
12 GB+100%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6X
Memory Bandwidth
336 GB/s
504 GB/s+50%
Bus Width
192-bit
192-bit
L2 Cache
3 MB
36 MB+1100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 4070). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 1 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
DirectX
12.2
12.2
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 8th Gen NVENC (2x) (GeForce RTX 4070). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 4070).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
Encoder
7th Gen NVENC
8th Gen NVENC (2x)
Decoder
5th Gen NVDEC
5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile draws 80W versus the GeForce RTX 4070's 200W — a 85.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 4070). Power connectors: Mobile vs 8-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 304mm, occupying 0 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
TDP
80W-60%
200W
Recommended PSU
500W-23%
650W
Power Connector
Mobile
8-pin
Length
0mm
304mm
Height
0mm
137mm
Slots
0-100%
3
Temp (Load)
80°C
80°C
Perf/Watt
186.7+39%
134.6
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 4070 is the newer GPU (2023 vs 2021).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3060 MobileGeForce RTX 4070
MSRP
$599
Codename
GA106
AD104
Release
January 12 2021
April 12 2023
Ranking
#214
#32