RTX 3060 vs RTX 4060: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Should the RTX 3060 still be on your shortlist now that the RTX 4060 has replaced it? Of the 3 areas we compared, the RTX 3060 wins 1. If one area explains the result, it’s memory.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance Trade-off
- Memory RTX 3060 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 4060 wins
- Price RTX 4060 wins
- GPU & Performance2.3
- Memory4.2
- Power & Thermals5.4
- GPU & Performance2.8
- Memory0.0
- Power & Thermals10.0
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
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The RTX 3060 has 4 GB more VRAM
Put simply, the RTX 3060 is far ahead here: 12 GB compared with 8 GB. 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 4060 has 19% more theoretical FP32 compute
The RTX 4060’s 15.1 TFLOPS leaves the RTX 3060’s 12.7 TFLOPS well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. The RTX 4060 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
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The RTX 4060 has 55 W lower board power
Not a close call. The RTX 4060 lists 115 W and the RTX 3060 lists 170 W. That’s a substantial gap. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 3060’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
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The RTX 3060 has 17% more shader units
Among all the differences on this page, 3,584 against 3,072 is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the RTX 3060. The RTX 3060’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 32% more memory bandwidth
The RTX 4060 gives up a lot on memory bandwidth: 272 GB/s, compared with 360 GB/s on the RTX 3060. The RTX 3060 has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
Design & Size
GPU & Performance
Trade-off
On gpu & performance, it’s give and take: the RTX 3060 brings 17% more shader units, and the RTX 4060 brings 19% more theoretical FP32 compute. For gpu & performance, there’s no wrong answer, only a different emphasis.
FP32 compute
RTX 3060: 12.7 TFLOPS RTX 4060: 15.1 TFLOPS Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
Shader units
RTX 3060: 3,584 RTX 4060: 3,072 Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
Memory
RTX 3060 leads
No contest in memory: the RTX 3060 is the stronger of the two. Choose the RTX 3060 and you get 4 GB more VRAM. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter. If memory is your priority, the RTX 3060 is the card to pick.
VRAM
RTX 3060: 12 GB RTX 4060: 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 4060: 272 GB/s Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
Features
There isn’t a number to compare on features, just names. Look at the rows below to see how the RTX 3060 and the RTX 4060 differ.
Power & Thermals
RTX 4060 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the RTX 4060 leads the power & thermals section with room to spare. The RTX 4060 delivers 55 W lower board power. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill. Net result: the RTX 4060 leads this part of the comparison.
Total board power
RTX 3060: 170 W RTX 4060: 115 W The RTX 4060 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
Recommended PSU
RTX 3060: 550 W RTX 4060: 300 W With the RTX 4060, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| GPU die | GA106 | AD107 |
| Process | Samsung 8N | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 3,584 (winner) | 3,072 |
| Ray tracing units | 28 (winner) Fewest ray tracing units | 24 |
| Base clock | 1,320 MHz Lowest base clock | 1,830 MHz (winner) Lowest base clock |
| Boost clock | 1,777 MHz | 2,460 MHz (winner) Lowest boost clock |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 12.7 TFLOPS | 15.1 TFLOPS (winner) |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 12 GB (winner) | 8 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 192-bit (winner) | 128-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 360 GB/s (winner) | 272 GB/s Least memory bandwidth |
Features
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | No DLSS Frame Generation | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 170 W | 115 W (winner) Lowest power draw in class |
| Recommended PSU | 550 W | 300 W (winner) |
Price
| Spec | RTX 3060 | RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $329 Lowest price in class | $299 (winner) |
“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
With just $30 between them at launch, the RTX 4060 and the RTX 3060 are priced as near equals. The RTX 3060 justifies part of its $30 premium with 4 GB more VRAM and 17% more shader units.
Launch prices in the US as of June 2023; 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 want more raw GPU hardware (3,584 vs 3,072 shader units)
- you want more memory bandwidth (360 GB/s vs 272 GB/s)
- you want more dedicated ray tracing hardware (28 vs 24)
Choose the RTX 4060 if…
- you want more theoretical compute (15.1 TFLOPS vs 12.7 TFLOPS)
- you want lower power draw and less heat (115 W vs 170 W board power)
- you’re building on a modest power supply (300 W vs 550 W)
- you want the higher boost clock (2,460 MHz vs 1,777 MHz)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $30 more
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RTX 3060 or the RTX 4060?
The RTX 3060 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you’d rather have 19% more theoretical FP32 compute on the RTX 4060.
Is the RTX 4060 worth it over the RTX 3060?
If those changes matter to you, yes: the RTX 4060 adds 19% more theoretical FP32 compute, 55 W lower board power and a smaller 300 W PSU requirement compared with the RTX 3060.
Is the RTX 3060 cheaper than the RTX 4060?
At launch, the RTX 4060 undercut the RTX 3060 by $30. These figures are as of June 2023, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
The RTX 4060 arrived to replace the RTX 3060, and I’ve spent a good while with both spec sheets. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is 4 GB more VRAM, and that goes to the RTX 3060. Less flashy, but still real: the RTX 3060 brings 17% more shader units. To be fair, the RTX 4060 has 19% more theoretical FP32 compute, and that’s not nothing.
I think of the RTX 3060 as the one for memory and the RTX 4060 as the one for power & thermals.
My pick: if it were my money, the RTX 3060, unless what you want most is 19% more theoretical FP32 compute.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.