Skip to content

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB

Quick Verdict

Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 60% up on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.

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

VS
NVIDIA GeForce
RTX 3060 8GB
Price
€341
Performance
16/100
VRAM
8 GB GDDR6
Key Specs Advantage
+40% CUDA Cores (3,584 vs 2,560)
+40% RT Cores (28 vs 20)
+40% Tensor Cores (112 vs 80)

GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is dramatically faster, around 60% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 2,560 on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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

Right now the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB starts at $225 EUR against $341 EUR for the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB wins on performance-per-dollar by about 5%.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the lighter draw at 130W against the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's 170W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's 8GB (vs 6GB on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3050 6GB or GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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 6GB if you find it at a steep discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB better than the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is dramatically faster, roughly 60% ahead. If your budget allows, it's the stronger pick.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB or the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?

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 3060 8GB worth the extra $116 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?

Often yes — despite the higher price the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB delivers better performance-per-dollar here.

Does the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 8GB (vs 6GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Which is better for ray tracing, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB?

Both handle ray tracing, but the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB has more RT cores, giving it better ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance than the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3050 6GB or GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?

The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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 6GB if you find it at a steep discount.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

Architecture & Cores specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3060 8GB
ArchitectureAmpereAmpere
Process NodeSamsung 8nmSamsung 8nm
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)2,5603,584
Ray Tracing Cores2028
Tensor / AI Cores80112

Clock Speeds

Clock Speeds specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Base Clock1,552 MHz1,320 MHz
Boost Clock1,777 MHz1,777 MHz

Memory

Memory specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3060 8GB
VRAM Capacity6 GB8 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6GDDR6
Memory Bus128-bit128-bit
Memory Speed14 Gbps15 Gbps
Bandwidth224 GB/s240 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

Connectivity & Power specifications comparison between GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
SpecificationGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3060 8GB
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x8PCIe 4.0 x16
TDP130 W170 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 8-pin
ReleasedJan 2022Feb 2021