GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3070
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3070 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 50% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. That said, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the smarter buy on value — $477 EUR less for the performance on offer.
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GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3070 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3070 is dramatically faster, around 50% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3070 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3070 packs 5,888 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. The GeForce RTX 3070 also has more RT cores (46 vs 28) and more AI cores (184 vs 112), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB currently lists from $23 EUR, $477 EUR less than the GeForce RTX 3070 at $500 EUR. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~1378% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is trading below its $329 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the gentler choice at 170W versus 220W. The GeForce RTX 3070 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 220W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB at 12GB versus 8GB on the GeForce RTX 3070 — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 3070's memory is also faster — 448 GB/s versus 360 GB/s (256-bit vs 192-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 3070?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3070 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3070 better than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 3070?
Is the GeForce RTX 3070 worth the extra $477 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which is better for ray tracing, the GeForce RTX 3070 or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 3070?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 3,584 | 5,888✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 46✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 112 | 184✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,320 MHz | 1,500 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz✓ | 1,725 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB✓ | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 15 Gbps✓ | 14 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 448 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 170 W✓ | 220 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| Released | Feb 2021 | Sep 2020 |
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