GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3090 comes out ahead: well ahead on speed, about 26% ahead of the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
The GeForce RTX 3090 is significantly faster, around 26% ahead of the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1440p. The GeForce RTX 3090 packs 10,496 CUDA cores versus 4,608 on the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB.
Power & Efficiency
At 180W against 350W, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB 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.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 3090 at 24GB versus 16GB on the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB — that extra 8GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 3090's memory is also faster — 936 GB/s versus 448 GB/s (384-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is roughly 5 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3090 (Blackwell vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3090 or GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
The GeForce RTX 3090 is the faster card by about 26%. With live pricing limited for this pair, base your decision on the spec differences above — particularly VRAM and power draw — and check current stock before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3090 better than the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3090 or the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3090 have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3090 or GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 10,496✓ | 4,608 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 82✓ | 36 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 328✓ | 144 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,395 MHz | 2,407 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,695 MHz | 2,572 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB✓ | 16 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 384-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19.5 Gbps | 28 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 936 GB/s✓ | 448 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3090 | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TDP | 350 W | 180 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 12-pin | 1x 16-pin |
| Released | Sep 2020 | Apr 2025 |
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