GeForce RTX 2060 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is out front, significantly faster, roughly 23% up on the GeForce RTX 2060. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
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GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce RTX 2060: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB vs GeForce RTX 2060
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is significantly faster, around 23% ahead of the GeForce RTX 2060. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce RTX 2060 is better matched to entry-level 1080p. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB packs 3,584 CUDA cores versus 1,920 on the GeForce RTX 2060.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 2060 starts at $190 USD against $190 USD for the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB wins on performance-per-dollar by about 23%. The GeForce RTX 2060 is trading below its $349 USD MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is trading below its $329 USD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 2060 is the lighter draw at 160W against the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB's 170W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB 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 8GB's 8GB (vs 6GB on the GeForce RTX 2060) gives it more room for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative or AI workloads. The GeForce RTX 2060'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.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is roughly 2 years newer than the GeForce RTX 2060 (Ampere vs Turing), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2060 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 if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB better than the GeForce RTX 2060?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2060 or the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB worth the extra $0 USD over the GeForce RTX 2060?
Does the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2060 or GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 1,920 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 30✓ | 28 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 240✓ | 112 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,365 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,680 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2060 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 6 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 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 160 W✓ | 170 W |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Jan 2019 | Feb 2021 |