GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is out front, dramatically faster, roughly 100% up on the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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Comparable or lower specs
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB vs GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is dramatically faster, around 100% ahead of the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 1,280 on the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB starts at $365 GBP against $439 GBP for the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB wins on performance-per-dollar by about 141%. The GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER still sits about $280 GBP above its $159 GBP MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER is the lighter draw at 100W against the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 170W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 12GB (vs 4GB on the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's memory is also faster — 360 GB/s versus 192 GB/s (192-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER (Ampere vs Turing), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER or GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 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 GTX 1650 SUPER if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB better than the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER or the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Is the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER worth the extra $75 GBP over the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER or GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,280 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 28 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 112 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,530 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,725 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 12 GB✓ |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit | 192-bit✓ |
| Memory Speed | 12 Gbps | 15 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 360 GB/s✓ |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 100 W✓ | 170 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Nov 2019 | Feb 2021 |
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