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RTX 2060 Vs 3060: Which Benchmarked Both

With the ongoing inflation, consumers have had a difficult time in choosing between the RTX 2060 Vs. 3060 GPUs. However, the 3060 is better.

Expert Verified By

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060

Rated: 6.5/10

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060

Rated: 8/10


Pros And Cons

GPUProsCons
GeForce RTX 2060āœ…Great entry level price tag
āœ…Slightly lower power draw
āŒSignificantly lower performance
GeForce RTX 3060āœ…Significantly higher performance
āœ…1664 additional rendering cores
āŒRelatively higher price tag

Key Takeaways
  • In our performance tests, the RTX 3060 showcased a remarkable 25% increase in average framerate, showcasing a significant performance boost.
  • Power consumption was around 4% higher on the newer card, marking the RTX 2060 to be slightly more power-efficient.
  • The price of the RTX 2060 was much lower than that of the RTX 3060.
  • If you’re budget-conscious, the RTX 2060 offers great value with its lower price tag. However, for those with more flexible budgets, we highly recommend investing in the RTX 3060 for superior performance.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Manaf is our comparison expert who has been comparing graphics cards, and processors.
  • 500+ components tested and compared by our team of comparison experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 1000+ hours spent testing different components for our comparisons.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we compare PC hardware).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every comparison undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each comparison is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.


Comparison Table

SpecificationRTX 3060RTX 2060
GPU NameGA106 (GA106-300-A1)TU106-200A-KA-A1
Shaders38401920
Compute Units30-
Tensor Cores112240
ROPs4848
TMUs112120
Memory TypeGDDR6GDDR6
Boost Clock1777MHz1680MHz
RT Cores2830
Release DateJan 2021Jan 2019
Best VariantsBest RTX 3060-

Architectural Differences

  • Process Node: The RTX 2060 utilizes TSMC’s 12nm node, while the RTX 3060 employs Samsung’s more advanced 8nm node, offering improved power efficiency and performance.
  • Memory Bandwidth: The RTX 2060 delivers a memory bandwidth of 336 GB/s, whereas the RTX 3060 provides a higher bandwidth of 360 GB/s, facilitating faster data transfer and improved performance.
  • Transistors: The RTX 2060 is equipped with 10.8 billion transistors, whereas the RTX 3060 features 13.25 billion transistors, signifying increased complexity and performance potential in the latter.
  • TDP: Both cards have similar TDP ratings, with the RTX 2060 at 160W and the RTX 3060 at 170W. They both require a single 8-pin power connector for operation, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of power supplies.

The 2000 series of RTX graphics cards have endured the test of time amid recent GPU releases and price hikes. Our comparison between the RTX 3060 and RTX 2060 aims to find out if Nvidia’s newer cards can match up to their predecessors.


Gaming Benchmarks – 1080p

Now that we know the new technology that the RTX 2060 Vs. 3060 GPUs utilize; let’s check their benchmarks. When comparing two pieces of hardware, it’s best to benchmark them to know which is better. Therefore, we are testing both graphics cards on 1080p. If you want to see our review of the RTX 2060 we used, check out our review.

Test System

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • While testing Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 3060 showcased an average of 50 FPS, surpassing the RTX 2060 by approximately 38.8%. In contrast, the RTX 2060 managed only 37 FPS on average.
  • When considering 1% lows, the RTX 3060 maintains a smoother gaming experience, with lows closer to 44 FPS compared to the RTX 2060’s 35 FPS.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • While testing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the RTX 3060 maintained an average of 64 FPS, outperforming the RTX 2060’s average of 50 FPS.
  • As for the 1% lows, the RTX 3060 stood at 53 FPS, significantly higher than the RTX 2060’s average of 41 FPS.

Doom Eternal

Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • While testing Doom Eternal, the RTX 3060 achieved an impressive average of 204 FPS, surpassing the RTX 2060’s 164 FPS.
  • As for the 1% lows, the RTX 3060 exhibited significantly higher 1% lows, reaching 175 FPS, indicating smoother performance compared to the RTX 2060’s 143 FPS.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War
Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • While testing Call of Duty: Black Ops, the RTX 3060 exhibited a commendable average 72 FPS, outperforming the RTX 2060’s 60 FPS.
  • Furthermore, the 1% lows of the RTX 3060 were notably higher, hitting 60 FPS, indicating smoother performance, compared to the RTX 2060’s 1% lows of 47 FPS.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • While testing Red Dead Redemption 2, the RTX 3060 achieved an average of 71 FPS, outperforming the RTX 2060, which averaged at 60 FPS.
  • As for the 1% lows, the RTX 3060 maintained a steadier performance at 61 FPS, demonstrating smoother gameplay, in contrast to the RTX 2060’s 53 FPS.

Watch Dogs: Legion

Watch Dogs Legion
Watch Dogs Legion @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • While testing Watch Dogs: Legion, the RTX 3060 delivered an average of 52 FPS, surpassing the RTX 2060’s average of 33 FPS.
  • Additionally, the 1% lows of the RTX 3060 were measured at 47 FPS, indicating smoother performance compared to the RTX 2060’s 23 FPS.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • While testing Microsoft Flight Simulator, the RTX 3060 achieved an average of 47 FPS, outperforming the RTX 2060’s average of 40 FPS.
  • Additionally, the 1% lows of the RTX 3060 were recorded at 38 FPS, showcasing smoother performance compared to the RTX 2060’s 34 FPS.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • In our tests of Horizon Zero Dawn, the RTX 3060 displayed an average of 84 FPS, surpassing the RTX 2060’s average of 71 FPS.
  • Furthermore, the 1% lows of the RTX 3060 were notably higher at 79 FPS compared to the RTX 2060’s 68 FPS, indicating smoother performance overall.

Fortnite

Fortnite
Fortnite @1080p (Image By Tech4Gamers)
  • While testing Fortnite, the RTX 3060 achieved an impressive average of 134 FPS, surpassing the RTX 2060’s average of 109 FPS.
  • Moreover, the 1% lows of the RTX 3060 were notably higher at 98 FPS compared to the RTX 2060’s 84 FPS, ensuring smoother and more consistent gameplay experiences.

Overall Gaming Performance

FeaturedRTX 3060RTX 2060
Average FPS86.4 šŸ“ˆ69.2 šŸ“ˆ
%1 lows75.3 šŸ“‰54.2 šŸ“‰
Winner: Nvidia's RTX 3060

The RTX 3060 outperforms the RTX 2060 with a 25% increase in average FPS, despite only a 15% price difference. However, this translates to roughly a 10% real-world performance gain.


Power Consumption

GameRTX 2060 (W)RTX 3060 (W)
Cyberpunk 2077157169
Assassin's Creed Valhalla152136
Doom Eternal160170
COD: Black Ops Cold War159161
Red Dead Redemption 2158170
Watch Dogs: Legion151155
Microsoft Flight Sim159157
Horizon Zero Dawn162166
Fortnite158166
Average Power Consumption157.3161.1
Winner: Nvidia's GeForce RTX 2060

The RTX 2060 exhibited a marginally superior power efficiency over the RTX 3060 our tests showed that the RTX 2060 consumed around 3% less power than the RTX 3060, making it better in terms of power efficiency


Price And Value

GPUMSRPCurrent Price (Used)
GeForce RTX 2060šŸ’²349šŸ’²155
GeForce RTX 3060šŸ’²329šŸ’²259
Price Difference5.73%67.1%

Initially, both cards shared similar price points, a trend that persists today. However, the RTX 2060 now stands significantly cheaper. However, their true value is best evaluated in the used market, where pricing dynamics differ.


Which One Should You Get?

GeForce RTX 2060: While struggling with modern AAA titles beyond 1080p, its affordability appeals to budget-conscious gamers. It also boasts slightly better power efficiency, suitable for smaller power supplies.

GeForce RTX 3060: Renowned for its solid gaming performance at 1080p with high settings, the RTX 3060 justifies its higher price tag. Ideal for those prioritizing gaming performance, it offers a compelling choice for users willing to stretch their budget.

If you’re on a tight budget and primarily gaming at 1080p, the RTX 2060 offers good value for money with decent performance. However, if you can afford to spend a bit more and prioritize gaming performance, the RTX 3060 is the better choice.


More From RTX 2060:

More From RTX 3060:

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