GeForce RTX 2060 12GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB comes out ahead: meaningfully ahead, about 14% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB. Best performance and best value in one card here — the clear recommendation if you can afford it.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce RTX 2060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is noticeably faster, around 14% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 2,176 on the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB currently lists from $249 GBP, $38 GBP less than the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB at $287 GBP. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB wins on performance-per-dollar by about 32%. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is trading below its $329 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
At 170W against 184W, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
VRAM favors the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB at 12GB versus 8GB on the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB — that extra 4GB matters most at 4K, with high-res texture packs, and for content-creation/local-AI work. The GeForce RTX 2060 12GB's memory is also faster — 336 GB/s versus 240 GB/s (192-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2060 12GB or GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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 RTX 2060 12GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB better than the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB worth the extra $38 GBP over the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 2060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2060 12GB or GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,176 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | — | 28 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | — | 112 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,470 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,650 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB✓ | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 15 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 336 GB/s✓ | 240 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 12GB | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 184 W | 170 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Dec 2021 | Feb 2021 |