RTX 3060 vs RTX 4090
Full specification comparison between the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (2021) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (2022).
RTX 3060
NVIDIA Mid-range
- ✓ Lower power draw (170 W vs 450 W)
- ✓ Cheaper at launch ($329 vs $1599)
- ✓ Better performance per dollar
RTX 4090
NVIDIA Enthusiast
- ✓ ~257% faster on average
- ✓ More VRAM (24 GB vs 12 GB)
- ✓ Wider memory bus (384-bit vs 192-bit)
- ✓ Newer (2022 vs 2021)
- ✓ More power-efficient
Verdict: The RTX 4090 is roughly 257% faster than the RTX 3060 on average — a clear, noticeable performance advantage.
The RTX 4090 also carries more video memory (24 GB vs 12 GB), which matters for high-resolution textures, modern AAA titles and future-proofing.
At launch pricing, the RTX 3060 offers more performance per dollar, and the RTX 4090 is the more power-efficient chip.
Estimated performance
Estimated average 1440p raster gaming performance compiled from publicly available benchmark data. Individual games vary.
Specs side by side
| Specification | RTX 3060 | RTX 4090 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| Release year | 2021 | 2022 |
| Est. performance | ||
| Shading units | ||
| Boost clock | ||
| FP32 compute | ||
| VRAM | ||
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | ||
| Board power | ||
| Launch MSRP |
Green bars mark the better value in each row (for power and price, lower wins).
Frequently asked questions
Is the RTX 4090 better than the RTX 3060?
Yes — based on aggregated benchmark data, the RTX 4090 is about 257% faster than the RTX 3060 on average.
How much faster is the RTX 4090 than the RTX 3060?
Roughly 257% on average in raster gaming workloads. The gap varies by title, resolution and settings.
Which graphics card is better value?
Comparing launch prices, the RTX 3060 delivers more performance per dollar. Check current street prices, as market pricing often shifts the value equation.