RTX 3060 vs RTX 3060 Ti
If you’ve already settled on this family, the last step is deciding between the RTX 3060 and the RTX 3060 Ti. By our tally, the RTX 3060 Ti leads 1 of 3 areas. The gpu & performance section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the RTX 3060. That $70 launch price gap between the RTX 3060 Ti and the RTX 3060 will shape the verdict as much as any spec.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 3060 Ti wins
- Memory Trade-off
- Power & Thermals RTX 3060 wins
- Price RTX 3060 wins
- GPU & Performance2.0
- Memory3.8
- Power & Thermals8.0
- GPU & Performance3.8
- Memory3.1
- Power & Thermals5.4
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
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The RTX 3060 has 4 GB more VRAM
Not a close call. The RTX 3060 lists 12 GB and the RTX 3060 Ti lists 8 GB. That’s a substantial gap. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
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The RTX 3060 Ti has 28% more theoretical FP32 compute
Among all the differences on this page, 16.2 TFLOPS against 12.7 TFLOPS is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the RTX 3060 Ti. FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power.
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The RTX 3060 Ti has 36% more shader units
The RTX 3060 gives up a lot on shader units: 3,584, compared with 4,864 on the RTX 3060 Ti. The RTX 3060 Ti’s extra shaders give it more raw muscle, although comparisons across different architectures aren’t one-to-one.
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The RTX 3060 has 30 W lower board power
Few buyers will miss this one. The RTX 3060 brings 170 W to the table; the RTX 3060 Ti brings 200 W. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
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The RTX 3060 Ti has 24% more memory bandwidth
When it comes to memory bandwidth, the RTX 3060 Ti wins comfortably with 448 GB/s against 360 GB/s. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
Design & Size
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | N/A (not specified) | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | N/A (not specified) | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
RTX 3060 Ti leads
This is one of the RTX 3060 Ti’s strongest areas. On gpu & performance, the RTX 3060 falls well short. The RTX 3060 Ti has the edge with 28% more theoretical FP32 compute. Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details. The RTX 3060 takes this one with a 6.7% higher boost clock. That makes the RTX 3060 Ti the natural choice for buyers focused on gpu & performance.
FP32 compute
RTX 3060: 12.7 TFLOPS RTX 3060 Ti: 16.2 TFLOPS The RTX 3060 Ti has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
Shader units
RTX 3060: 3,584 RTX 3060 Ti: 4,864 Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
Memory
Trade-off
This area is a trade-off. Choose the RTX 3060 for 4 GB more VRAM, or the RTX 3060 Ti for 24% more memory bandwidth. The memory verdict depends on you more than on the spec sheet.
VRAM
RTX 3060: 12 GB RTX 3060 Ti: 8 GB Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RTX 3060’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 3060: 360 GB/s RTX 3060 Ti: 448 GB/s Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
Features
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the RTX 3060 and the RTX 3060 Ti row by row in the table below.
Power & Thermals
RTX 3060 leads
Here the RTX 3060 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The RTX 3060 pulls ahead with 30 W lower board power. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 3060 Ti’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed. Weighing only power & thermals, the RTX 3060 comes out ahead.
Total board power
RTX 3060: 170 W RTX 3060 Ti: 200 W The RTX 3060 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
Recommended PSU
RTX 3060: 550 W RTX 3060 Ti: 600 W With the RTX 3060, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| GPU die | GA106 | GA104 |
| Process | Samsung 8N | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 3,584 | 4,864 (winner) |
| Ray tracing units | 28 Fewest ray tracing units | 38 (winner) |
| Base clock | 1,320 MHz Lowest base clock | 1,410 MHz (winner) |
| Boost clock | 1,777 MHz (winner) | 1,665 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 12.7 TFLOPS | 16.2 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 12 GB (winner) | 8 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 192-bit | 256-bit (winner) |
| Memory bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 448 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | No DLSS Frame Generation | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 170 W (winner) | 200 W |
| Recommended PSU | 550 W (winner) | 600 W |
| Power connector | N/A (not specified) | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | N/A (not specified) | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | N/A (not specified) | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $329 (winner) Lowest price in class | $399 |
“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
Price alone could settle this for some buyers, with the RTX 3060 launching $70 lower, a gap of 21%. The RTX 3060 Ti costs $70 more, and for that you get 28% more theoretical FP32 compute and 36% more shader units.
Launch prices in the US as of February 2021; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 3060 if…
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (12 GB vs 8 GB VRAM)
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (170 W vs 200 W)
- you want to keep your current power supply (550 W vs 600 W recommended PSU)
- you want the higher boost clock (1,777 MHz vs 1,665 MHz)
- you’d put the $70 saving toward something else
Choose the RTX 3060 Ti if…
- you want more theoretical compute (16.2 TFLOPS vs 12.7 TFLOPS)
- you want more raw GPU hardware (4,864 vs 3,584 shader units)
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (448 GB/s vs 360 GB/s)
- you want more dedicated ray tracing hardware (38 vs 28)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RTX 3060 or the RTX 3060 Ti?
For most people, the RTX 3060 Ti is the stronger choice, unless having 4 GB more VRAM matters more to you than the rest.
Which is faster, the RTX 3060 or the RTX 3060 Ti?
The RTX 3060 Ti should be the quicker of the two, with 28% more theoretical FP32 compute and 36% more shader units on its side.
Which costs less, the RTX 3060 or the RTX 3060 Ti?
The RTX 3060 is the cheaper option, launching at $70 less than the RTX 3060 Ti (launch prices as of February 2021).
Executive Summary
The RTX 3060 and the RTX 3060 Ti come from the same family, and honestly, that makes this one harder than a cross-brand fight. The RTX 3060 Ti wins me over with 28% more theoretical FP32 compute. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the RTX 3060 Ti has 24% more memory bandwidth. The RTX 3060’s strongest argument is 4 GB more VRAM.
I’d steer power & thermals fans toward the RTX 3060 and gpu & performance fans toward the RTX 3060 Ti.
My pick: the RTX 3060 Ti; the one scenario where I’d reach for the RTX 3060 is if your top priority is 4 GB more VRAM.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.