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GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce RTX 4060

Quick Verdict

The GeForce RTX 4060 is significantly faster than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB, leading by roughly 25% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $151 EUR cheaper.

Market Value Leader

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is the clear winner, offering 8.4% better value than GeForce RTX 4060.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Price
€425
Performance
16/100
VRAM
8 GB GDDR6
Key Specs Advantage
+17% CUDA Cores (3,584 vs 3,072)
+17% RT Cores (28 vs 24)
+17% Tensor Cores (112 vs 96)
Price
€576
Performance
20/100
VRAM
8 GB GDDR6
Key Specs Advantage
+38% Boost Clock (2,460 MHz vs 1,777 MHz)
+13% Bandwidth (272 GB/s vs 240 GB/s)

GeForce RTX 4060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 4060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

The GeForce RTX 4060 is significantly faster, around 25% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1080p.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB starts at $425 EUR against $576 EUR for the GeForce RTX 4060. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~8% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB still sits about $96 EUR above its $329 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 4060 still sits about $277 EUR above its $299 EUR MSRP.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce RTX 4060 draws just 115W versus 170W for the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom. Its more modern Ada Lovelace architecture on a TSMC N4 process is part of why it does more with each watt.

Memory & Bandwidth

The GeForce RTX 4060's memory is faster — 272 GB/s versus 240 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Generation & Longevity

The GeForce RTX 4060 is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB (Ada Lovelace vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or GeForce RTX 4060?

Choose the GeForce RTX 4060 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 4060 better than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?

The GeForce RTX 4060 is significantly faster, roughly 25% ahead. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or the GeForce RTX 4060?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at 1080p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce RTX 4060 worth the extra $151 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB comes out ahead.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or GeForce RTX 4060?

Choose the GeForce RTX 4060 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3060 8GB and GeForce RTX 4060
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 8GBGeForce RTX 4060
ArchitectureAmpereAda Lovelace
Process NodeSamsung 8nmTSMC N4
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)3,5843,072
Ray Tracing Cores2824
Tensor / AI Cores11296

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3060 8GB and GeForce RTX 4060
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 8GBGeForce RTX 4060
Base Clock1,320 MHz1,830 MHz
Boost Clock1,777 MHz2,460 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3060 8GB and GeForce RTX 4060
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 8GBGeForce RTX 4060
VRAM Capacity8 GB8 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6GDDR6
Memory Bus128-bit128-bit
Memory Speed15 Gbps17 Gbps
Bandwidth240 GB/s272 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3060 8GB and GeForce RTX 4060
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 8GBGeForce RTX 4060
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x8
TDP170 W115 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 8-pin
ReleasedFeb 2021Jun 2023