GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
Market Value Leader
Only verified data for GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is available. Benchmarks for other models are currently being processed.
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is dramatically faster than the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop, leading by roughly 100% in our performance index. The GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop is the cheaper option by $267 GBP.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is dramatically faster, around 100% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 1,280 on the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop starts at $67 GBP against $334 GBP for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop draws just 80W versus 170W for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 12GB against 6GB, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop's 6GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's memory is also faster — 360 GB/s versus 192 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is roughly 5 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop (Ampere vs Pascal), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop or GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the faster card by about 100%. 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 3060 12GB better than the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB worth the extra $267 GBP over the GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Can the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop handle ray tracing?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 16nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,280 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 0 | 28✓ |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 0 | 112✓ |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,404 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,670 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 8 Gbps | 15 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 360 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1060 Laptop | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 80 W✓ | 170 W |
| Power Connectors | None | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Aug 2016 | Feb 2021 |
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