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GPU comparison

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060

Benchmark comparison and full specifications, with the measured difference and a clear winner for gaming, office work, daily use and content creation.

ACheck Price on AmazonNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GBBCheck Price on AmazonNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

APart A

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

  • Blender render score 1988 samples/min
  • Video memory 12 GB
  • Board power 170 W
VS

BPart B

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 4060

  • Blender render score 2968 samples/min
  • Video memory 8 GB
  • Board power 115 W
Compare other parts

01 · Performance profile

How they score

Scores out of 100 for each way you might use a graphics card. The chart shows where both parts rank among all 319 GPUs in our database.

Measured performance

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is 49% faster in the Blender benchmark

ANVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB1,988

Median of 112 submissions

BNVIDIA GeForce RTX 40602,968

Median of 72 submissions

Blender Benchmark render score (samples per minute, higher is faster), the median of community-submitted results from Blender Open Data.

A
B
Lowest: 4Average: 32Highest: 93

Gaming

A33%Basic
B35%Fair

Too close to call

Office Work

A56%Good
B63%Good

Better pick: GeForce RTX 4060 · Board power: 115 W vs 170 W

Daily Use

A43%Fair
B45%Fair

Too close to call

Content Creation

A34%Basic
B33%Basic

Too close to call

02 · Verdict

Too close to call

Both parts score within a few points. Choose on price, availability and the use case that matters most to you.

ANVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

42/100

BNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060

44/100

ANVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

Advantages

  • Video memory 12 GB vs 8 GB (50% higher)
  • Memory bus 192 bit vs 128 bit (50% higher)
  • Shader units 3584 vs 3072 (17% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Board power 170 W vs 115 W (48% higher)
  • Blender render score 1988 samples/min vs 2968 samples/min (33% lower)
  • Boost clock 1777 MHz vs 2460 MHz (28% lower)

BNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060

Advantages

  • Blender render score 2968 samples/min vs 1988 samples/min (49% higher)
  • Boost clock 2460 MHz vs 1777 MHz (38% higher)
  • Board power 115 W vs 170 W (32% lower)

Disadvantages

  • Video memory 8 GB vs 12 GB (33% lower)
  • Memory bus 128 bit vs 192 bit (33% lower)
  • Shader units 3072 vs 3584 (14% lower)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationANVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GBBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.1988 samples/min2968 samples/min Better +49%
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.11272
Memory
Video memory12 GB Better +50%8 GB
Memory typeGDDR6GDDR6
Memory bus192 bit Better +50%128 bit
Cores & clocks
Shader units3584 Better +17%3072
Boost clock1777 MHz2460 MHz Better +38%
Power
Board power170 W115 W Better
Platform
ArchitectureAmpereAda Lovelace
Release year20212023
Launch price$329$299

Ready to buy?

Prices change daily. Check the current price of each part.

ACheck Price on Amazon: GeForce RTX 3060 12GBBCheck Price on Amazon: GeForce RTX 4060

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 at a glance

This page compares the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. In the Blender Benchmark, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 posts a median render score of 2,968 against 1,988 for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, making it 49% faster. The medians are based on 72 and 112 community submissions.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: 12 GB video memory, GDDR6, 1777 MHz boost clock, 170 W board power, released in 2021, launched at $329. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060: 8 GB video memory, GDDR6, 2460 MHz boost clock, 115 W board power, released in 2023, launched at $299.

Our overall scores are 42 for GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and 44 for GeForce RTX 4060 out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: too close to call; for office work: GeForce RTX 4060; for daily use: too close to call; for content creation: too close to call. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 4060 FAQ

Which is faster, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4060?

In the Blender Benchmark, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 posts a median render score of 2,968 against 1,988 for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, making it 49% faster. The medians are based on 72 and 112 community submissions.

Which uses more power, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4060?

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is rated at 170 W and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 at 115 W, so the GeForce RTX 4060 draws 48% less on paper. Rated power is not the same as power drawn in your own workload.

How much did the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and the GeForce RTX 4060 cost at launch?

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 at $299. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4060 better for gaming?

Our gaming scores for the two are within a few points of each other (33 and 35 out of 100). Blender is a rendering benchmark, so also look at independent game benchmarks.

More GPU comparisons

About this data

Benchmark numbers come from Blender Open Data, a public collection of results submitted by real users, shown as medians with the submission count. Specifications and launch prices are compiled from manufacturer information and may contain mistakes. See how it all works on thePC Parts Comparison page, or report an error through our contact page. This page contains affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.