GPU Comparison

Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.

Quick Verdict

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB is dramatically faster than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, leading by roughly 44% in our performance index. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, however, delivers more performance per dollar — $180 USD cheaper.

Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)

VS
NVIDIA
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Price
$380 USD
Benchmark %
18%
VRAM
12 GB GDDR6
Key Specs Advantage

Comparable or lower specs

Price
$560 USD
Benchmark %
26%
VRAM
16 GB GDDR6
Key Specs Advantage
+43% Boost Clock (2,535 MHz vs 1,777 MHz)
+21% CUDA Cores (4,352 vs 3,584)
+21% RT Cores (34 vs 28)

GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown

Performance: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB is dramatically faster, around 44% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB is comfortable at 1440p, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is better matched to 1080p. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB packs 4,352 CUDA cores versus 3,584 on the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB.

Price & Value

Right now the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB starts at $380 USD against $560 USD for the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB. Despite being slower, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers the better performance-per-dollar, so budget-focused buyers should weigh it carefully.

Power & Efficiency

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB draws just 160W 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 N4 process is part of why it does more with each watt.

VRAM & Future-Proofing

With 16GB against 12GB, the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB has more headroom for 4K textures and memory-hungry creative/AI tasks where the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 12GB can fall short. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB's memory is also faster — 288 GB/s versus 240 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.

Generation & Longevity

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB 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 Ti 16GB?

Choose the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB better than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB is dramatically faster, roughly 44% ahead. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is still worth it if value matters more than top-end frames.

Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB?

Neither is a dedicated 4K card; both are best at 1440p. For 4K you'd want a faster GPU, or lean on upscaling.

Is the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB worth the extra $180 USD over the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB?

Only if you need the extra performance or features; on pure value the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB comes out ahead.

Does the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB have enough VRAM advantage to matter?

Its 16GB (vs 12GB) gives real headroom for 4K, heavy texture mods, and creative/AI work. At 1080p the gap matters less.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Architecture & Cores

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 12GBGeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
ArchitectureAmpereAda Lovelace
Process NodeSamsung 8nmTSMC N4
CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores)3,5844,352
Ray Tracing Cores2834
Tensor / AI Cores112136

Clock Speeds

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 12GBGeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
Base Clock1,320 MHz2,310 MHz
Boost Clock1,777 MHz2,535 MHz

Memory

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 12GBGeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
VRAM Capacity12 GB16 GB
Memory TypeGDDR6GDDR6
Memory Bus128-bit128-bit
Memory Speed15 Gbps18 Gbps
Bandwidth240 GB/s288 GB/s

Connectivity & Power

SpecificationGeForce RTX 3060 12GBGeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x8
TDP170 W160 W
Power Connectors1x 8-pin1x 8-pin
ReleasedFeb 2021May 2023