GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB vs GeForce RTX 4090
Comparison of specs, performance, and price. Which GPU is the better buy in 2026?
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB | GeForce RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Buy Online | Check Availability | |
| Steel Nomad Score | 2,300 | 9,236 |
| VRAM | 12GB GDDR6 | 24GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 1010 GB/s |
| TDP | 170 W | 450 W |
| Release Date | Feb 25th, 2021 | Sep 20th, 2022 |
Performance Verdict
GeForce RTX 4090 is 75.1% Faster
In the 3DMark Steel Nomad benchmark, the GeForce RTX 4090 scores 9,236, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB scores 2,300.
Summary: The GeForce RTX 4090 offers superior raw performance, making it the better choice for demanding games and workloads. It also has more VRAM (24GB GDDR6X), which is crucial for 4K gaming and AI. However, it consumes more power (450 W vs 170 W).
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB
Pros
- ✓ Lower Power Consumption (170 W vs 450 W)
Cons
- ✕ Less VRAM (12GB GDDR6 vs 24GB GDDR6X)
- ✕ Lower Memory Bandwidth (360 GB/s vs 1010 GB/s)
GeForce RTX 4090
Pros
- ✓ More VRAM (24GB GDDR6X vs 12GB GDDR6)
- ✓ Higher Memory Bandwidth (1010 GB/s vs 360 GB/s)
Cons
- ✕ Higher Power Consumption (450 W vs 170 W)