GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce RTX 5060
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 5060 comes out ahead: far and away the quicker card, about 63% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 5060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 5060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
The GeForce RTX 5060 is dramatically faster, around 63% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 5060 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 5060 packs 3,840 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 5060 currently lists from $314 EUR, $95 EUR less than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB at $409 EUR. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 5060 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 112%. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB still sits about $80 EUR above its $329 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 145W against 170W, the GeForce RTX 5060 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce RTX 5060's memory is faster — 448 GB/s versus 240 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5060 is roughly 4 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB (Blackwell 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 5060?
The GeForce RTX 5060 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 3060 8GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 5060 better than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or the GeForce RTX 5060?
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB worth the extra $95 EUR over the GeForce RTX 5060?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB or GeForce RTX 5060?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB | GeForce RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 3,584 | 3,840✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 30✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 112 | 120✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB | GeForce RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,320 MHz | 2,280 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz | 2,497 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB | GeForce RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 15 Gbps | 28 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 240 GB/s | 448 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB | GeForce RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 170 W | 145 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Feb 2021 | May 2025 |