NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two NVIDIA parts into distinct usage profiles. The RTX 3060 Mobile wins six of ten recorded tests, while the RTX 2060 takes four. The 3060 Mobile dominates modern, low-level API workloads and compute-oriented tasks. Its largest margins come in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, where it scores 1821 against 1242 for the 2060, a 46.6% advantage. This is a generational leap in raw DirectX 12 throughput that shows up in current titles and future-proofing scenarios.

The 3060 Mobile also wins decisively in Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan, with 79483 and 80344 scores respectively, beating the 2060 by 22.3% and 22%. These are synthetic compute and cross-API tests that translate well to general GPU compute workloads, rendering tasks, and Vulkan-based games. PassMark GPU Compute likewise favours the 3060 Mobile at 5718 versus 5488, a narrower 4.2% edge, indicating the Ampere architecture maintains its lead in general-purpose compute even when the margin shrinks.

The RTX 2060, by contrast, holds its ground in legacy DirectX and 2D workloads. It wins PassMark DirectX 9 by a substantial 23.2% (190 versus 146) and DirectX 10 by 8.2% (98 versus 90). These older API tests reward the 2060's higher base and boost clocks, which sit at 1365 MHz and 1680 MHz compared to 900 MHz and 1425 MHz for the 3060 Mobile. The 2060 also takes PassMark G2D with 745 against 588, a 21.1% lead, and PassMark G3D with 14111 versus 13230, a 6.2% margin. The G3D result is notable: despite being the older architecture, the desktop 2060 outpaces the mobile 3060 in this aggregate 3D test, likely due to its higher sustained clock rates in a desktop power envelope.

The two cards tie exactly in PassMark DirectX 11 at 110 points each, with the database crediting the 3060 Mobile with the win based on the zero delta. In practical terms, users targeting modern DX12 and Vulkan titles or compute-heavy applications should favour the 3060 Mobile. Users running legacy DX9 or DX10 software, or who prioritise 2D desktop performance, will find the 2060 competitive or superior.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs represent successive NVIDIA architectures on different manufacturing processes. The RTX 3060 Mobile uses the GA106 chip built on Ampere architecture, fabricated by Samsung on an 8 nm process with 12,000 million transistors on a 276 mm² die. The RTX 2060 uses the TU106 chip on Turing architecture, fabricated by TSMC on a 12 nm process with 10,800 million transistors on a much larger 445 mm² die. The density difference is stark: the 3060 Mobile packs 43.5 million transistors per mm² versus 24.3 million for the 2060, a direct result of the smaller process node.

Shader configuration diverges significantly. The 3060 Mobile has 3840 shading units, double the 1920 in the 2060, yet both share 120 texture mapping units and 48 ROPs. Ray tracing cores are equal at 30 each, but tensor cores differ in the opposite direction: the 2060 has 240 tensor cores versus 120 for the 3060 Mobile. This reflects architectural changes between Turing and Ampere, where the newer generation doubled FP32 throughput per shader and reorganised tensor core allocation.

Clock speeds tell the opposite story. The 2060 runs at 1365 MHz base and 1680 MHz boost, substantially higher than the 3060 Mobile's 900 MHz base and 1425 MHz boost. This is a consequence of the 2060 being a desktop part with a 160 W TDP, while the 3060 Mobile is constrained to 80 W for laptop use. The 2060 also carries a dual-slot cooler, requires a single 8-pin power connector, and lists a 450 W suggested PSU. The 3060 Mobile has no power connectors as it draws from the motherboard, and its display outputs are portable-device dependent rather than fixed ports.

Memory configurations are identical: both have 6 GB of GDDR6 on a 192-bit bus with 336.0 GB/s bandwidth and 1750 MHz memory clock running at 14 Gbps effective. The bus interface differs, with the 3060 Mobile using PCIe 4.0 x16 versus PCIe 3.0 x16 for the 2060. Both support DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The 2060 has fixed display outputs including 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.4a, and 1x USB Type-C, while the 3060 Mobile's outputs depend on the laptop implementation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive result is 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, where the 3060 Mobile scores 1821 against 1242 for the 2060, a 46.6% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and indicates that Ampere's doubled shader count and architectural improvements deliver a massive uplift in modern DirectX 12 rendering workloads. The 3060 Mobile's FP32 throughput of 10.94 TFLOPS, nearly double the 2060's 6.451 TFLOPS, underpins this result.

Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan results reinforce the compute advantage. The 3060 Mobile posts 79483 in OpenCL and 80344 in Vulkan, beating the 2060's 65014 and 65846 by 22.3% and 22% respectively. These tests exercise general compute and cross-vendor APIs, where the 3060 Mobile's higher shader count and FP32 performance translate directly into higher throughput. The FP16 comparison is interesting: the 3060 Mobile achieves 10.94 TFLOPS at a 1:1 ratio, while the 2060 reaches 12.90 TFLOPS at a 2:1 ratio, meaning the older card actually has higher peak FP16 throughput despite losing in FP32.

PassMark GPU Compute shows a narrower 4.2% win for the 3060 Mobile at 5718 versus 5488. This test mixes various compute workloads, and the smaller margin suggests that raw shader count is not the only factor; clock speed and memory latency also play roles. The 2060's higher clocks partially compensate for its lower shader count in some compute patterns.

The 2060's wins are concentrated in legacy APIs. PassMark DirectX 9 shows 190 for the 2060 versus 146 for the 3060 Mobile, a 23.2% lead. PassMark DirectX 10 follows with 98 versus 90, an 8.2% margin. These older APIs are typically single-threaded and clock-bound, favouring the 2060's 1680 MHz boost clock. PassMark G2D shows 745 versus 588, a 21.1% lead for the 2060, reflecting desktop-optimised 2D rendering. PassMark G3D is the closest of the 2060's wins at 14111 versus 13230, a 6.2% margin, suggesting that the aggregate 3D workload in this test still rewards the desktop part's higher sustained clocks.

PassMark DirectX 12 is a modest win for the 3060 Mobile at 58 versus 53, a 9.4% edge. This is far smaller than the 3DMark Steel Nomad delta, indicating that PassMark's DX12 test is less sensitive to architectural differences. The DirectX 11 result is a perfect tie at 110 each, with the database assigning the win to the 3060 Mobile on the zero delta.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU is faster in modern DirectX 12 games?

A: The RTX 3060 Mobile wins 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 by 46.6%, scoring 1821 against 1242. It also leads PassMark DirectX 12 by 9.4% at 58 versus 53, indicating a clear advantage in current DirectX 12 workloads.

Q: Does the RTX 2060 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. The RTX 2060 wins PassMark DirectX 9 by 23.2%, DirectX 10 by 8.2%, G2D by 21.1%, and G3D by 6.2%. These wins are concentrated in legacy APIs and 2D workloads where its higher clock speeds matter more.

Q: How do the two GPUs compare in compute performance?

A: The RTX 3060 Mobile leads in Geekbench OpenCL by 22.3% and Vulkan by 22%, with scores of 79483 and 80344 versus 65014 and 65846. PassMark GPU Compute shows a smaller 4.2% advantage for the 3060 Mobile at 5718 versus 5488.

Q: What is the transistor and die size difference?

A: The RTX 3060 Mobile uses an 8 nm process with 12,000 million transistors on a 276 mm² die. The RTX 2060 uses a 12 nm process with 10,800 million transistors on a 445 mm² die. The 3060 Mobile achieves 43.5M transistors per mm² versus 24.3M for the 2060.

Q: Do the GPUs have the same memory configuration?

A: Yes. Both have 6 GB of GDDR6 on a 192-bit bus with 336.0 GB/s bandwidth and 14 Gbps effective memory speed. The bus interface differs, with the 3060 Mobile using PCIe 4.0 x16 and the 2060 using PCIe 3.0 x16.

Q: Why does the RTX 2060 win PassMark G3D despite being older?

A: The RTX 2060 has higher clock speeds, 1365 MHz base and 1680 MHz boost, compared to 900 MHz and 1425 MHz for the 3060 Mobile. As a desktop part with a 160 W TDP, it sustains higher clocks than the 80 W mobile GPU, which benefits the aggregate PassMark G3D workload.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across several key specification fields. The RTX 3060 Mobile uses the GA106 chip on Ampere architecture with an 8 nm Samsung process, while the RTX 2060 uses the TU106 chip on Turing architecture with a 12 nm TSMC process. Transistor counts are 12,000 million for the 3060 Mobile and 10,800 million for the 2060, with die sizes of 276 mm² and 445 mm² respectively. Transistor density favours the 3060 Mobile at 43.5M per mm² versus 24.3M per mm².

Shader configuration differs substantially: the 3060 Mobile has 3840 shading units, while the 2060 has 1920. Both have 120 TMUs and 48 ROPs. Ray tracing cores match at 30 each, but tensor cores favour the 2060 with 240 versus 120. Clock speeds favour the 2060, with base and boost at 1365 MHz and 1680 MHz compared to 900 MHz and 1425 MHz for the 3060 Mobile.

FP32 performance is nearly double for the 3060 Mobile at 10.94 TFLOPS versus 6.451 TFLOPS for the 2060. FP16 performance reverses: the 3060 Mobile achieves 10.94 TFLOPS at 1:1 ratio, while the 2060 reaches 12.90 TFLOPS at 2:1 ratio. Pixel rate favours the 2060 at 80.64 GPixel/s versus 68.40 GPixel/s, and texture rate also favours the 2060 at 201.6 GTexel/s versus 171.0 GTexel/s. Power consumption differs greatly: the 3060 Mobile is rated at 80 W with no power connectors, while the 2060 is rated at 160 W with a single 8-pin connector and a 450 W suggested PSU. The 2060 is a dual-slot card measuring 229 mm in length, 113 mm in height, and 35 mm in width, with fixed display outputs including DVI, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4a, and USB Type-C. The 3060 Mobile has no fixed dimensions and its display outputs are portable-device dependent. The 3060 Mobile uses PCIe 4.0 x16, while the 2060 uses PCIe 3.0 x16. The 2060 launched on 2019-01-06 with a launch MSRP of 349 USD, while the 3060 Mobile launched on 2021-01-11 without a recorded MSRP.