GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 2060 Super

Speed and memory

In our performance index the GeForce RTX 3060 scores 24 and the GeForce RTX 2060 Super scores 22, which makes the GeForce RTX 3060 about 9% faster. That is a small gap, below what most people notice without a frame counter.

The GeForce RTX 3060 has 12 GB of video memory and the GeForce RTX 2060 Super has 8 GB. That difference matters at 1440p and in new games at High textures, and it can outweigh a small speed advantage as the card ages.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Call of Duty (60 against 55 fps), and the smallest is in Red Dead Redemption 2 (84 against 78 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The GeForce RTX 3060 is rated at 170 W and the GeForce RTX 2060 Super at 175 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 550 W for the first and 550 W for the second. The power draw is close enough that cooling and noise will be similar.

At launch the GeForce RTX 3060 cost $329 and the GeForce RTX 2060 Super $399. Per dollar, the GeForce RTX 3060 gave more performance (7.3 points per $100 against 5.5). Current prices differ, so run the same sum on what you can actually buy today.

Which one to buy

Choose the GeForce RTX 3060 if you want the faster card, and it also has at least as much memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the GeForce RTX 2060 Super if the price gap matters more than the 9% speed difference. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.