NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
Ray Tracing
Tensor CoresAt a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB Specifications
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
RTX 3060 12 GB Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the RTX 3060 12 GB, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
RTX 3060 12 GB Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB Ray Tracing & AI
Hardware acceleration features
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB includes dedicated hardware for ray tracing and AI acceleration. RT cores handle real-time ray tracing calculations for realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows in supported games. Tensor cores (NVIDIA) or XMX cores (Intel) accelerate AI workloads including DLSS, FSR, and XeSS upscaling technologies. These features enable higher visual quality without proportional performance costs, making the RTX 3060 12 GB capable of delivering both stunning graphics and smooth frame rates in modern titles.
Ampere Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB is built on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the RTX 3060 12 GB will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB is manufactured by NVIDIA as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this GPU.
About NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB
Benchmark Performance
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB sits at the 50th percentile among all GPUs in the benchmark database, placing it squarely in the mid-range tier. This is not a flagship part, nor is it an entry-level compromise — it is the dividing line between mainstream and enthusiast performance. With an FP32 compute throughput of 12.74 TFLOPS, the card delivers balanced raw processing power that scales predictably across gaming and content creation workloads.
The GA106 chip, built on Samsung's 8 nm process, packs 12,000 million transistors into a 276 mm² die. That transistor density of 43.5 million per square millimeter is modest by modern standards, but the architecture's efficiency compensates. The card's 3584 shading units, 112 texture mapping units, and 48 raster output pipelines form a configuration that consistently lands in the middle of the pack — not chasing the top end, but firmly above budget alternatives.
Pixel throughput comes in at 85.30 GPixel/s, while texture fill reaches 199.0 GTexel/s. These figures translate to solid 1080p and 1440p gaming performance, with the card handling high-detail settings without breaking stride. The FP32 and FP16 outputs are identical at 12.74 TFLOPS, indicating a 1:1 ratio that simplifies mixed-precision workloads. In practice, this means the RTX 3060 12 GB does not artificially throttle half-precision tasks, making it unexpectedly competent for compute-oriented applications despite its mid-range positioning.
The benchmark data shows no direct rival comparisons available in the database, which means the percentile ranking is the primary reference point. At the 50th percentile, the card outperforms roughly half of all GPUs ever tested — a meaningful anchor for buyers who want a known quantity rather than an experimental purchase.
Power and Cooling
The RTX 3060 12 GB carries a TDP of 170 W, a figure that places it comfortably within the reach of standard mid-tower builds. The recommended PSU is 450 W, which is not demanding by current standards. This makes the card an accessible upgrade path for systems with existing power supplies that meet that threshold. The single 12-pin power connector is a notable requirement — users with older PSUs may need an adapter, but the connector standard is straightforward.
Cooling is handled by a dual-slot design, which keeps the physical footprint manageable. The card measures 242 mm in length (9.5 inches) and 112 mm in height (4.4 inches), making it compatible with most modern cases without clearance issues. The 8 nm process node contributes to thermal efficiency, allowing the 170 W TDP to be dissipated effectively by the dual-slot cooler. No wattage figures beyond the TDP are provided in the data, but the 450 W PSU recommendation indicates the card's total system draw is well within typical desktop budgets.
Memory Subsystem
The RTX 3060 12 GB features 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 360.0 GB/s. Memory speed is rated at 1875 MHz, translating to 15 Gbps effective transfer rates. This configuration is notable for its capacity — 12 GB is generous for a card in this performance class, and it provides headroom for high-resolution textures and modern game assets that increasingly exceed 8 GB.
The 192-bit bus width is narrower than higher-tier cards, but the 360.0 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming. At 4K resolution, the memory capacity becomes an asset even if the raw bandwidth is not class-leading — textures can be stored locally without excessive streaming from system memory. The 12 GB allocation also future-proofs against upcoming titles that list 10 GB or more as recommended VRAM. For users who run multiple monitors or memory-heavy applications, the capacity buffer reduces stutter and texture pop-in.
How It Compares
No nearest rival data is available in the database for this card. The percentile ranking of 50 indicates a median position, but specific deltas against competing models cannot be quantified from the provided facts. Without rival scores or deltaPct values, the analysis rests on the card's absolute specifications and its overall standing. The card's predecessor is the GeForce 20 series, and its successor is the GeForce 40 series, positioning it as a transitional product in NVIDIA's lineup.
The end-of-life production status suggests the card is being phased out in favor of newer generations, but its specifications remain relevant for current gaming workloads. The 12 GB memory capacity is the standout feature — it exceeds what many competing cards at similar performance levels offer, and that capacity is the primary differentiator in the absence of direct benchmark comparisons.
Who Should Consider It
The RTX 3060 12 GB is positioned for gamers targeting 1080p and 1440p resolutions with high detail settings. The 12.74 TFLOPS of FP32 compute and 360.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for smooth frame rates at these resolutions in most titles. The 12 GB VRAM is the key consideration — it handles ultra texture packs and modern game engines that routinely consume 8-10 GB, avoiding the bottlenecks seen on lower-capacity cards.
For 4K gaming, the card is a less clear recommendation. The memory capacity is adequate, but the bandwidth and compute throughput may struggle with the most demanding titles at maximum settings. Users who prioritize resolution over frame rate will find the card serviceable, but those seeking high refresh rates at 4K should look upward. The card's 50th percentile ranking suggests it outperforms half of all GPUs, making it a solid choice for mainstream builds where the priority is reliable performance across a wide range of games without exotic cooling or power requirements.
FAQ
Q: What is the launch MSRP of the RTX 3060 12 GB?
A: The launch MSRP is 329 USD.
Q: What is the memory configuration?
A: The card has 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, with 360.0 GB/s bandwidth and 15 Gbps effective speed.
Q: What power supply is recommended?
A: A 450 W PSU is suggested, and the card's TDP is 170 W.
Q: What display outputs are available?
A: The card has 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a outputs.
Q: What is the production status?
A: The card is marked as end-of-life, with a release date of January 11, 2021.
Q: What is the FP32 performance?
A: The FP32 compute is 12.74 TFLOPS, with FP16 also at 12.74 TFLOPS (1:1 ratio).
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The RTX 3060 12 GB includes 28 RT cores and 112 tensor cores, enabling hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI-based features. The RT core count is sufficient for entry-level ray tracing at 1080p, where the performance hit is manageable. At higher resolutions, ray tracing demands more from the GPU, and the 12.74 TFLOPS compute may become a limiting factor — but the capability is present and functional.
The tensor cores support DLSS and other AI-enhanced rendering techniques, which can offset the performance cost of ray tracing. The card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), ensuring compatibility with the latest graphics APIs, alongside OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4. This API coverage means the card is fully prepared for current and near-future game releases that leverage these standards. The PCIe 4.0 x16 interface provides sufficient bandwidth for the memory subsystem, and the dual-slot design keeps the card compatible with standard cases. The feature set is complete for a mid-range GPU — ray tracing is present but not class-leading, and the tensor cores add meaningful value for AI-assisted workloads.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce RTX 3060 12 GB
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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