RTX 3060 vs RX 6500 XT
Full specification comparison between the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (2021) and the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT (2022).
RTX 3060
NVIDIA Mid-range
- ✓ ~115% faster on average
- ✓ More VRAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- ✓ Wider memory bus (192-bit vs 64-bit)
- ✓ Better performance per dollar
- ✓ More power-efficient
RX 6500 XT
AMD Entry-level
- ✓ Lower power draw (107 W vs 170 W)
- ✓ Cheaper at launch ($199 vs $329)
- ✓ Newer (2022 vs 2021)
Verdict: The RTX 3060 is roughly 115% faster than the RX 6500 XT on average — a clear, noticeable performance advantage.
The RTX 3060 also carries more video memory (12 GB vs 4 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 3060 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 | RX 6500 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | RDNA 2 |
| Release year | 2021 | 2022 |
| Est. performance | ||
| Shading units | ||
| Boost clock | ||
| FP32 compute | ||
| VRAM | ||
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| 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 3060 better than the RX 6500 XT?
Yes — based on aggregated benchmark data, the RTX 3060 is about 115% faster than the RX 6500 XT on average.
How much faster is the RTX 3060 than the RX 6500 XT?
Roughly 115% 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.