GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3090
The GeForce RTX 3090 pulls ahead here — in a different league, about 117% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. But the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the better value, undercutting it by $1,262 EUR for the performance you get.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3090 is dramatically faster, around 117% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3090 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3090 packs 10,496 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. The GeForce RTX 3090 also has more RT cores (82 vs 28) and more AI cores (328 vs 112), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.
Price & Value
Pricing has the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB at $428 EUR, $1,262 EUR under the GeForce RTX 3090's $1,690 EUR. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~82% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB still sits about $99 EUR above its $329 EUR MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3090 still sits about $191 EUR above its $1,499 EUR MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 170W vs 350W, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the gentler load on your system. The GeForce RTX 3090's extra power draw buys more performance per watt, not just more heat — worth it if your PSU has the headroom.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3090 carries 24GB versus 12GB on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. The extra 12GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 3090's memory is also faster — 936 GB/s versus 360 GB/s (384-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 3090?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3090 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 3090 better than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 3090?
Is the GeForce RTX 3090 worth the extra $1,262 EUR over the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3090 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which is better for ray tracing, the GeForce RTX 3090 or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 3090?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 3,584 | 10,496✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28 | 82✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 112 | 328✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,320 MHz | 1,395 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz✓ | 1,695 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB | 24 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 384-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 15 Gbps | 19.5 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 936 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 170 W✓ | 350 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| Released | Feb 2021 | Sep 2020 |
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