RX 7800 XT vs RTX 3060
Few matchups in the midrange graphics card class come up as often as the RX 7800 XT against the RTX 3060. If you only read one line, make it this: the RX 7800 XT takes 1 of 2 compared areas, and the memory gap is the one to look at first. That $170 launch price gap between the RX 7800 XT and the RTX 3060 will shape the verdict as much as any spec.
At a glance
- Memory RX 7800 XT wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 3060 wins
- Price RTX 3060 wins
- GPU & Performance7.8
- Memory10.0
- Power & Thermals0.0
- GPU & Performance2.0
- Memory3.8
- Power & Thermals8.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The RX 7800 XT has 4 GB more VRAM
The spread here is large: 16 GB on the RX 7800 XT versus 12 GB on the RTX 3060. Expect to notice it. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
-
The RTX 3060 has 93 W lower board power
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the RTX 3060 makes its strongest case: 170 W against 263 W. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RX 7800 XT’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
-
The RX 7800 XT has 73% more memory bandwidth
The RX 7800 XT clearly leads on memory bandwidth, and 624 GB/s versus 360 GB/s is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. The RX 7800 XT has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
-
The RX 7800 XT has a wider 256-bit memory bus
On memory bus, the RX 7800 XT posts 256-bit against 192-bit for the RTX 3060, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. The RX 7800 XT’s wider bus supports higher bandwidth, which helps most at high resolutions.
-
The RTX 3060 has a smaller 550 W PSU requirement
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 550 W for the RTX 3060 versus 700 W for the RX 7800 XT. Recommendations include a safety margin for the rest of the system, so they’re a guide rather than a hard limit.
Design & Size
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Slot width | 2 slots | N/A (not specified) |
GPU & Performance
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the gpu & performance details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Memory
RX 7800 XT leads
When it comes to memory, the RX 7800 XT is comfortably ahead. The RX 7800 XT delivers 4 GB more VRAM. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter. Weighing only memory, the RX 7800 XT comes out ahead.
VRAM
RX 7800 XT: 16 GB RTX 3060: 12 GB Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RX 7800 XT’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
Memory bandwidth
RX 7800 XT: 624 GB/s RTX 3060: 360 GB/s Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
Features
The features data here comes as names and types, not scores. Check the table to see what each one uses.
Power & Thermals
RTX 3060 leads
Here the RTX 3060 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The RTX 3060 answers with 93 W lower board power. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill. If power & thermals is your priority, the RTX 3060 is the card to pick.
Total board power
RX 7800 XT: 263 W RTX 3060: 170 W The RTX 3060 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
Recommended PSU
RX 7800 XT: 700 W RTX 3060: 550 W The recommended power supply tells you whether your current PSU can handle the card without an upgrade.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 | Ampere |
| GPU die | Navi 32 | GA106 |
| Process | TSMC N5 (GCD) + N6 (MCD) chiplets | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 3,840 | 3,584 |
| Ray tracing units | 60 Most ray tracing units | 28 Fewest ray tracing units |
| Base clock | N/A (not specified) | 1,320 MHz Lowest base clock |
| Boost clock | 2,430 MHz | 1,777 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 37.3 TFLOPS Most compute in class | 12.7 TFLOPS |
Memory
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 16 GB (winner) | 12 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 256-bit (winner) | 192-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 624 GB/s (winner) Most memory bandwidth | 360 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | FSR 3 | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | FSR 3 Frame Generation, AFMF 2 | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 263 W Most power-hungry in class | 170 W (winner) |
| Recommended PSU | 700 W Biggest PSU requirement | 550 W (winner) |
| Power connector | 2x 8-pin | N/A (not specified) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Slot width | 2 slots | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $499 | $329 (winner) Lowest price in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 52% apart, a difference of $170. The value question is simple: are 4 GB more VRAM and 73% more memory bandwidth worth $170 to you? If so, the RX 7800 XT makes sense.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2023; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RX 7800 XT if…
- you want more video memory for the years ahead (16 GB vs 12 GB)
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (624 GB/s vs 360 GB/s)
- you want the wider memory bus (256-bit vs 192-bit)
Choose the RTX 3060 if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (170 W vs 263 W)
- you want to keep your current power supply (550 W vs 700 W recommended PSU)
- you want more value for your money ($170 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RX 7800 XT or the RTX 3060?
If value matters, the RTX 3060 is the smarter buy: it costs $170 less than the RX 7800 XT at launch.
Does the RX 7800 XT perform better than the RTX 3060?
Performance is driven by RDNA 3 in the RX 7800 XT and Ampere in the RTX 3060; the spec table below shows the rest of the hardware.
Is the RX 7800 XT cheaper than the RTX 3060?
Going by launch prices, the RTX 3060 costs $170 less than the RX 7800 XT. Prices as of September 2023; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
AMD makes the RX 7800 XT, NVIDIA makes the RTX 3060, and both want the same spot on your shortlist. Here’s where I land. What I like most about the RTX 3060 here is 93 W lower board power. On the other side, the RX 7800 XT brings 4 GB more VRAM, and I wouldn’t dismiss that.
Put simply, the RX 7800 XT suits people who care about memory, while the RTX 3060 suits people who put power & thermals first.
My pick: the RTX 3060, with the RX 7800 XT only for people who’d use every extra it offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.