GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 3090 comes out dramatically faster — about 128% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. But the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the better value, undercutting it by $861 GBP for the performance you get.
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GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3090 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3090 is dramatically faster, around 128% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3090 is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3090 packs 10,496 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. The GeForce RTX 3090 also has more RT cores (82 vs 28) and more AI cores (328 vs 112), strengthening its ray-tracing and AI-upscaling performance.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB currently lists from $359 GBP, $861 GBP less than the GeForce RTX 3090 at $1,219 GBP. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers the better performance-per-dollar (~49% better value), so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully. The GeForce RTX 3090 is trading below its $1,499 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
On power, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the gentler choice at 170W versus 350W. The GeForce RTX 3090 is more efficient per watt because it's faster, but its higher 350W draw means more heat and a bigger PSU.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3090 carries 24GB versus 12GB on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. The extra 12GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 3090's memory is also faster — 936 GB/s versus 240 GB/s (384-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 3090?
Choose the GeForce RTX 3090 if you want the most performance and can absorb the higher price. If you're optimizing for value, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB stretches your money further for only slightly lower performance.