Quick answer
The RTX 4060 is the faster card: about 12% ahead of the RTX 3060 12GB in our gaming index (score 38 vs 34), or about 7% more FPS at 1440p high. The RTX 3060 12GB has more VRAM (12GB vs 8GB). The RTX 4060 draws less power (115W vs 170W).
A side-by-side look at the GeForce RTX 3060 (12GB) and the GeForce RTX 4060 using the specs from each maker and ComputingSkill’s gaming scores, the same numbers our calculators and tier list use. Prices change too often to compare here, so check current prices against the performance gap below.
Specs Side by Side
| RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 4060 | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| VRAM | 12GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 192-bit | 128-bit |
| Boost clock | 1777 MHz | 2460 MHz |
| Shaders | 3,584 CUDA Cores | 3,072 CUDA Cores |
| Board power | 170W | 115W |
| Maker’s recommended PSU | 550W | 550W |
| Upscaling / frame generation | DLSS upscaling (no DLSS Frame Generation; FSR 3 frame generation works in games that offer it) | DLSS 4 upscaling and DLSS 3 Frame Generation (2x) |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Gaming score (tier) | 34 (C) | 38 (C) |
Specs: RTX 3060 12GB official page and RTX 4060 official page. Scores are ComputingSkill’s gaming index, positioned from publicly reported review averages, not our own benchmarks (methodology).
Gaming Performance
Estimated average FPS in a typical AAA game, from the FPS Calculator’s formula, with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D so the cards are the limit. * marks a figure held back by the CPU. Ray tracing, upscaling and frame generation are not included.
| Resolution, settings | RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 4060 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p, high | 85 | 95 | RTX 4060 +12% |
| 1440p, high | 58 | 62 | RTX 4060 +7% |
| 4K, high | 36 | 29 | RTX 3060 12GB +22% |
| 1080p, ultra | 68 | 76 | RTX 4060 +12% |
| 1440p, ultra | 46 | 45 | RTX 3060 12GB +4% |
| 4K, ultra | 26 | 22 | RTX 3060 12GB +17% |
VRAM
RTX 3060 12GB: 12GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p and 1440p and enough for high (not ultra) textures at 4K.
RTX 4060: 8GB of VRAM is enough for ultra textures at 1080p, enough for high (not ultra) textures at 1440p and below the 12GB our VRAM rule asks for at 4K high settings, so expect to lower texture quality there.
With Your CPU
A faster card only pays off when your CPU can feed it. Here is each card with common processors in our bottleneck engine (typical AAA game, high settings). “GPU-limited” is normal; a CPU % is how much of the card goes unused.
| CPU | RTX 3060 12GB | RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Core i3-12100F | GPU-limited / GPU-limited | GPU-limited / GPU-limited |
| Ryzen 5 5600 | GPU-limited / GPU-limited | GPU-limited / GPU-limited |
| Core i5-12400F | GPU-limited / GPU-limited | GPU-limited / GPU-limited |
| Ryzen 5 7600 | GPU-limited / GPU-limited | GPU-limited / GPU-limited |
| Core i5-14600K | GPU-limited / GPU-limited | GPU-limited / GPU-limited |
| Ryzen 7 7800X3D | GPU-limited / GPU-limited | GPU-limited / GPU-limited |
Power and PSU
With a Ryzen 5 7600, the PSU Calculator recommends 550W for a PC with the RTX 3060 12GB and 550W with the RTX 4060. The makers’ own recommendations are 550W and 550W.
Which Should You Buy?
- Buy the RTX 4060 for more performance: about 12% higher in our index. It is worth it if the price difference is smaller than that.
- The RTX 3060 12GB makes sense when it costs clearly less, or when its other strengths below matter more to you.
- For 1440p, 4K or keeping the card for years, the RTX 3060 12GB’s extra VRAM is the safer choice.
- Features differ: the RTX 3060 12GB offers DLSS upscaling (no DLSS Frame Generation; FSR 3 frame generation works in games that offer it); the RTX 4060 offers DLSS 4 upscaling and DLSS 3 Frame Generation (2x).
- Not sure your CPU keeps up? Check your exact pair in the PC Bottleneck Calculator.
More comparisons: RTX 3060 12GB vs RX 6600, RTX 2060 6GB vs RTX 3060 12GB, GTX 1660 Super vs RTX 3060 12GB, RTX 4060 vs RX 7600, Arc B580 vs RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 vs RTX 5060. Every card ranked: GPU tier list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTX 3060 12GB better than the RTX 4060?
For raw gaming performance the RTX 4060 is about 12% faster (score 38 vs 34).
Which is better for 1440p, the RTX 3060 12GB or the RTX 4060?
At 1440p high the RTX 3060 12GB averages about 58 FPS and the RTX 4060 about 62 FPS in a typical AAA game with a fast CPU. The RTX 3060 12GB has more VRAM headroom there.
Which uses less power?
The RTX 4060 (115W board power vs 170W).