GeForce RTX 3050 8 GB vs GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB
Comparison of specs, performance, and price. Which GPU is the better buy in 2026?
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8 GB | GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Buy Online | Check Availability | |
| Steel Nomad Score | 1,331 | 2,300 |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 360 GB/s |
| TDP | 130 W | 170 W |
| Release Date | Jan 4th, 2022 | Feb 25th, 2021 |
Performance Verdict
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB is 42.1% Faster
In the 3DMark Steel Nomad benchmark, the GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB scores 2,300, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8 GB scores 1,331.
Summary: The GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB offers superior raw performance, making it the better choice for demanding games and workloads. It also has more VRAM (12GB GDDR6), which is crucial for 4K gaming and AI. However, it consumes more power (170 W vs 130 W).
GeForce RTX 3050 8 GB
Pros
- ✓ Lower Power Consumption (130 W vs 170 W)
Cons
- ✕ Less VRAM (8GB GDDR6 vs 12GB GDDR6)
- ✕ Lower Memory Bandwidth (224 GB/s vs 360 GB/s)
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB
Pros
- ✓ More VRAM (12GB GDDR6 vs 8GB GDDR6)
- ✓ Higher Memory Bandwidth (360 GB/s vs 224 GB/s)
Cons
- ✕ Higher Power Consumption (170 W vs 130 W)