In this article, we’re diving deep into the performance showdown between the RTX 3060 and the RTX 4060 graphics cards in various popular games. We’ll be comparing the GPUs’ performance in the following titles:
- Cyberpunk 2077
- The Witcher 3
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
- Apex Legends
- Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Forza Horizon 5
- Dead Space
- Red Dead Redemption 2
Keep reading to discover which GPU comes out on top!
Head-to-Head: Game by Game Comparison
1. Cyberpunk 2077
- RTX 3060: Maintained above 60 FPS at 1080p ultra settings.
- RTX 4060: 12% faster at 1080p, 10% lead at 1440p.
- Ray Tracing Ultra Preset: 4060 had a 47% boost at 1440p, more than twice the frame rate with frame generation.
2. The Witcher 3
- RTX 3060: Comparable performance to the 4060 at 1440p.
- RTX 4060: 13% faster at 1080p (5 FPS).
3. Hogwarts Legacy
- RTX 3060: Matched the 4060 at 1440p with DLSS enabled.
- RTX 4060: 43% higher frame rate at 1080p, 37% higher at 1440p.
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
- RTX 3060: Similar performance to the 4060 at 1440p.
- RTX 4060: More dips in performance, only 5% faster at 1440p.
5. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2
- RTX 3060: Comparable performance to the 4060 at max settings.
- RTX 4060: 11% ahead in average FPS at 1080p, 10% ahead at 1440p, hitting 60 FPS at max settings.
6. Microsoft Flight Simulator
- RTX 3060: Comparable performance to the 4060 with DLSS on balanced mode.
- RTX 4060: 7% faster at 1080p, 11% faster at 1440p.
7. Forza Horizon 5
- RTX 3060: Lagged significantly behind the 4060.
- RTX 4060: Massive 64% lead at 1080p, 59% lead at 1440p.
8. Dead Space
- RTX 3060: Comparable performance to the 4060 at 1440p.
- RTX 4060: 10% faster at 1080p.
9. Red Dead Redemption 2
- RTX 3060: Comparable performance to the 4060 at 1440p.
- RTX 4060: 17% faster at 1080p, 12% faster at 1440p.
Overall Performance
- RTX 3060: On average, 13% slower than the RTX 4060 across all 25 games tested.
- RTX 4060: On average, 16% faster than the RTX 3060 at 1080p and 13% faster at 1440p.
Key Takeaways and Considerations
If you already own an RTX 3060 laptop with a decent power limit, upgrading to a 4060 laptop might not be worth it, unless you desperately need frame generation support. The performance difference between these two GPUs at higher power level ranges isn’t significant, and with DLSS enabled, the gap becomes even smaller.
The RTX 4060 does boast 8 GB of VRAM compared to the 3060’s 6 GB, but this advantage doesn’t consistently translate to better performance. The older 3060 has a larger memory bus, more memory bandwidth, and 25% more CUDA cores.
The 4060 only holds a clear lead when considering frame generation. This advantage is more pronounced when comparing both laptops at the maximum 140-watt power limit. In smaller and thinner laptops with lower power limits, the 4060 might outshine the 3060 by a wider margin.
Conclusion
The RTX 3060 and RTX 4060 each have their strengths and weaknesses, and the performance differences depend on the specific game being played. While the 4060 has some advantages in terms of VRAM and frame generation, it might not be worth the extra cost if you already have a 3060 laptop with a decent power limit.
If you’re shopping for a new gaming laptop and find a good deal on a RTX 4060 model, it could be worth considering for the extra features and potential future benefits. In the end, the choice between these two GPUs depends on personal preference and specific gaming requirements.