GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
Market Value Leader
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the clear winner, offering 18.5% better value than GeForce RTX 3050 8GB.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB comes out dramatically faster — about 64% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is dramatically faster, around 64% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 2,560 on the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB also has more RT cores (28 vs 20) and more AI cores (112 vs 80), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB currently lists from $265 EUR, $101 EUR less than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB at $366 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB wins on performance-per-dollar by about 18%.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the gentler choice at 130W versus 170W. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 170W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB carries 12GB versus 8GB on the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. The extra 4GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's memory is also faster — 360 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (192-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3050 8GB or GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB better than the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB worth the extra $101 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which is better for ray tracing, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,560 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 20 | 28✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 80 | 112✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,552 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz | 1,777 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 192-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 15 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 360 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x8 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 130 W✓ | 170 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jan 2022 | Feb 2021 |
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