RTX 3060 vs RTX 4060: A Detailed Comparison – Which One Should You Buy?
RTX 3060 vs RTX 4060: A Detailed Comparison – Which One Should You Buy?
When it comes to budget-friendly gaming GPUs, NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 and RTX 4060 are two of the most popular options for 1080p and 1440p gaming. The RTX 3060 was released in 2021 as part of the Ampere lineup, while the RTX 4060, launched in 2023, belongs to the newer Ada Lovelace architecture. But how do these two GPUs compare in terms of performance, power efficiency, features, and value for money?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll analyze key specifications, gaming benchmarks, power consumption, and real-world performance to help you decide which GPU is the best for your gaming setup.
1. Specifications Comparison: RTX 3060 vs. RTX 4060
Before diving into real-world performance, let’s compare the core specifications of both GPUs.
| Feature | RTX 3060 | RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere (8nm) | Ada Lovelace (5nm) |
| CUDA Cores | 3584 | 3072 |
| Base Clock | 1320 MHz | 1830 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz | 2460 MHz |
| VRAM | 12GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 128-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 272 GB/s |
| TDP (Power Consumption) | 170W | 115W |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 2nd-Gen | 3rd-Gen |
| DLSS Support | DLSS 2 | DLSS 3 |
| PCIe Version | PCIe 4.0 (x16) | PCIe 4.0 (x8) |
Key Takeaways from the Specs
- CUDA Cores & Clock Speeds:
- The RTX 3060 has more CUDA cores (3584 vs. 3072), but the RTX 4060 has higher clock speeds, resulting in better overall efficiency.
- Memory (VRAM):
- The RTX 3060 has 12GB of VRAM, while the RTX 4060 has only 8GB.
- The RTX 4060 has a smaller memory bus (128-bit vs. 192-bit), which may limit performance in VRAM-heavy tasks like 4K gaming and content creation.
- Power Efficiency:
- The RTX 4060 is far more power-efficient (115W vs. 170W), making it ideal for smaller power supplies and cooler systems.
- DLSS & Ray Tracing:
- The RTX 4060 features DLSS 3, which includes Frame Generation, boosting FPS in supported games.
- The RTX 3060 only supports DLSS 2, which lacks this AI-powered frame-boosting technology.
- The RTX 4060 has 3rd-gen ray tracing cores, meaning better performance in ray-traced games.
2. Gaming Performance: 1080p & 1440p Benchmarks
1080p Gaming Performance
For 1080p gaming, the RTX 4060 has a performance edge, thanks to higher clock speeds and DLSS 3 support. Let’s compare some benchmarks in modern titles.
| Game (1080p Ultra Settings) | RTX 3060 (FPS) | RTX 4060 (FPS) | RTX 4060 (DLSS 3 ON) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 55 FPS | 65 FPS | 90+ FPS |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 85 FPS | 110 FPS | 140+ FPS |
| Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | 78 FPS | 95 FPS | N/A |
| Fortnite (Performance Mode) | 180 FPS | 200+ FPS | N/A |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 55 FPS | 70 FPS | 100+ FPS |
- The RTX 4060 outperforms the RTX 3060 in most 1080p titles, thanks to higher clock speeds and improved efficiency.
- DLSS 3 gives the RTX 4060 an even bigger advantage, allowing for much higher FPS in supported games.
1440p Gaming Performance
For 1440p gaming, the RTX 4060 still holds an advantage, though the VRAM difference (12GB vs. 8GB) starts to play a role in certain demanding games.
| Game (1440p High Settings) | RTX 3060 (FPS) | RTX 4060 (FPS) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 45 FPS | 55 FPS |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 50 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator | 40 FPS | 52 FPS |
| The Witcher 3 (Next-Gen) | 55 FPS | 68 FPS |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 65 FPS | 80 FPS |
- The RTX 4060 remains ahead but by a smaller margin than at 1080p.
- The RTX 3060’s 12GB VRAM helps in some VRAM-heavy games, making it slightly more future-proof for high-resolution textures.
3. Ray Tracing Performance
Both GPUs support ray tracing, but the RTX 4060 has a significant advantage due to 3rd-gen RT cores and DLSS 3.
| Game (Ray Tracing ON, 1080p High) | RTX 3060 (FPS, DLSS 2 ON) | RTX 4060 (FPS, DLSS 3 ON) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 35 FPS | 65 FPS |
| Control | 55 FPS | 80 FPS |
| Metro Exodus | 48 FPS | 72 FPS |
The RTX 4060 is significantly better at ray tracing, mainly because DLSS 3 helps maintain playable frame rates in demanding games.
4. Power Consumption & Efficiency
One of the biggest improvements in the RTX 4060 is power efficiency.
- RTX 3060: 170W TDP → Requires a 550W+ PSU
- RTX 4060: 115W TDP → Can run on a 450W+ PSU
The RTX 4060 consumes around 30-35% less power, making it a better choice for energy-efficient builds and small form-factor PCs.
5. Pricing & Value for Money
- The RTX 3060 is often available at a lower price, making it a better budget choice if you don’t need DLSS 3.
- The RTX 4060 provides better performance and efficiency, but its 8GB VRAM could be limiting for future games.
Which One Should You Buy?
| If You Want… | Buy This GPU |
|---|---|
| Best 1080p Gaming Performance | RTX 4060 |
| Best 1440p Gaming & VRAM Capacity | RTX 3060 |
| Ray Tracing & Future-Proofing | RTX 4060 |
| Best Budget Option | RTX 3060 |
| Lower Power Consumption | RTX 4060 |
Final Verdict: RTX 3060 vs. RTX 4060
The RTX 4060 is the superior GPU in terms of raw performance, efficiency, and ray tracing, but the RTX 3060 is still a great value option, especially for 1440p gaming with its 12GB VRAM.
If you’re building a power-efficient, future-proof system, go for the RTX 4060.
If you want more VRAM and don’t mind slightly lower performance, the RTX 3060 is still a solid choice. 🚀
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