GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is out front, significantly faster, roughly 20% up on the GeForce RTX 2070. Value tips toward the GeForce RTX 2070, though: $80 EUR cheaper for what you get.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 2070: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 2070
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is significantly faster, around 20% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2070. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 2,304 on the GeForce RTX 2070.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 2070 starts at $240 EUR against $320 EUR for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 2070 offers the better performance-per-dollar (~11% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 2070 is trading below its $499 EUR MSRP — a genuine deal.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 12GB (vs 8GB on the GeForce RTX 2070) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 2070'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.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce RTX 2070 (Ampere vs Turing), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2070 or GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 2070 stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB better than the GeForce RTX 2070?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2070 or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB worth the extra $80 EUR over the GeForce RTX 2070?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2070 or GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,304 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 36✓ | 28 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 288✓ | 112 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,410 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,620 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 15 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/s✓ | 360 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 175 W | 170 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Oct 2018 | Feb 2021 |
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