RX 6700 XT vs RTX 3060: Which Should You Buy?
Head-to-head on performance, VRAM, power and value for 2026.
Quick Summary · TL;DR
On our relative performance index the RX 6700 XT leads the RTX 3060 by about 53% — a large gap. Both carry 12GB of VRAM. The RTX 3060 adds NVIDIA DLSS and stronger ray tracing, while the RX 6700 XT typically leans on raw rasterisation value.
| RX 6700 XT | RTX 3060 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance index | 46/100 | 30/100 |
| VRAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Board power (TBP) | 230W | 170W |
| Maker PSU guidance | 650W | 550W |
| Our starting PSU class | 650W | 550W |
| Power connector | 8-pin PCIe | 8-pin PCIe |
| Generation | RX 6000 | RTX 30 |
Relative gaming index — an estimate of typical performance. Real-world gaps vary by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy?
Buy the RX 6700 XT if you want the higher frame rate and can find it at a fair price. Choose the RTX 3060 if it is clearly cheaper and its 12GB+ of VRAM and features cover your target resolution. For ray tracing and DLSS, the NVIDIA option has the edge; for raw rasterisation per dollar, the alternative often wins.
Power planning: RX 6700 XT PSU · RTX 3060 PSU.
RX 6700 XT vs RTX 3060 at each resolution
| Resolution | RX 6700 XT | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | Excellent | Great (10 short of Excellent) |
| 1440p | Playable (2 short of Good) | Not ideal (8 short of Playable) |
| 4K | Not ideal (4 short of Playable) | Not ideal (20 short of Playable) |
The 16-point gap (46 vs 30) changes the verdict at 1080p and 1440p: that is where the RX 6700 XT earns its place. At 4K both get the same rating, so paying for the faster card buys headroom rather than a different experience there.
Power, PSU and efficiency
Reference board power is 230W for the RX 6700 XT and 170W for the RTX 3060, a 60W difference. Per 100W that works out to 20 index points for the RX 6700 XT and 17.6 for the RTX 3060, so the RX 6700 XT does more per watt. An existing 550W supply meets the maker guidance for the RTX 3060 but not for the RX 6700 XT (650W). Full sizing: RX 6700 XT PSU · RTX 3060 PSU.
Ratings use the same index lines as our GPU resolution pages; the index is an editorial tier summary, not a benchmark. PSU figures are the makers’ reference guidance reviewed 12 September 2026.
Sources & verification
- AMD Radeon desktop graphics specifications
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series specifications
- SpecsCalc calculation methodology and limitations
Relative indices summarize broad gaming tiers and are not a substitute for game-by-game benchmark averages. Price and driver updates can change the buying recommendation. Last reviewed September 19, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RX 6700 XT better than the RTX 3060?
On our relative index the RX 6700 XT is about 53% ahead of the RTX 3060. Both carry 12GB of VRAM. The smaller the gap, the more other factors like price, VRAM and features should decide it.
Which is better value, the RX 6700 XT or the RTX 3060?
Value depends on the price you can find each at. The slower card is usually the smart buy if it is meaningfully cheaper, unless you need the extra VRAM or features of the faster one.
Do the RX 6700 XT and RTX 3060 need different power supplies?
The RX 6700 XT's maker lists a 650W supply and the RTX 3060's lists 550W; our starting classes are 650W and 550W. If you might move to the RX 6700 XT later, size for its 650W now.
Make sure your CPU can keep up with either card using the Bottleneck Estimator, or compare more cards in the GPU comparison hub.