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 4060 Laptop is marginally faster than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, leading by roughly 6% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is the cheaper option by $852 GBP.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop is marginally faster, around 6% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1080p.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB starts at $334 GBP against $1,186 GBP for the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop draws just 115W 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. Its more modern Ada Lovelace architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
With 12GB against 8GB, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop's 8GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's memory is also faster — 360 GB/s versus 256 GB/s (192-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB (Ada Lovelace vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop?
The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop is the faster card. 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 4060 Laptop better than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop?
Is the GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop worth the extra $852 GBP over the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | Samsung 8nm | TSMC 4N |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 3,584✓ | 3,072 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28✓ | 24 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 112✓ | 96 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,320 MHz | 1,470 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz | 2,370 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB✓ | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 15 Gbps | 16 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 360 GB/s✓ | 256 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 170 W | 115 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | None |
| Released | Feb 2021 | Feb 2023 |
Related Reading
How to Run Powerful Local LLMs on a Budget GPU in 2026
An 8GB GPU can now run near-flagship open models locally. Here's how QAT, MoE, llama.cpp offloading and MTP turn a budget PC into a private AI rig in 2026.
The Budget Hero: Intel Arc A750 Real-World Review
Is the Intel Arc A750 still the king of budget 1080p gaming? We look at how years of driver maturity have transformed this GPU.