RTX 3060 vs RTX 3090 for Blender
Compare RTX 3060 12 GB and RTX 3090 for Blender Cycles. See benchmark performance, VRAM, power ratings and checked prices side by side. RTX 3090 leads the Blender benchmark score by 156.2%.
Fastest in Cycles
RTX 3090
156% faster than RTX 3060 12 GB
Most VRAM
RTX 3090
100% more VRAM than RTX 3060 12 GB
Lowest power draw
RTX 3060 12 GB
51% lower rating than RTX 3090
Cheapest
RTX 3060 12 GB
77% cheaper than RTX 3090
Best value for money
RTX 3060 12 GB
67% better value than RTX 3090
GPU comparison
Key specifications for Blender rendering.
| Spec | RTX 3060 12 GB | RTX 3090 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $459.99 Checked Oct 9, 2026 | $1,969.99 Checked Oct 9, 2026 |
| Value for money | 4.33 +67% | 2.59 |
| Blender benchmark score | 1,989.59 | 5,096.96 +156% |
| VRAM | 12 GB Meets Blender’s recommended VRAM | 24 GB More capacity for heavy scenes+100% |
| System PSU | N/A | 750 W Manufacturer requirement |
| Performance | ||
| CUDA cores | 3,584 | 10,496 +193% |
| Boost clock | 1.78 GHz +5% | 1.70 GHz |
| RT cores | 28 | 82 +193% |
| Tensor cores | 112 | 328 +193% |
| Memory | ||
| Memory bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 936.2 GB/s +160% |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 192-bit | 384-bit +100% |
| Memory speed | 15 Gbps | 19.5 Gbps +30% |
| Platform | ||
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Render support | OptiX, CUDA | OptiX, CUDA |
| TDP | 170 W −51% | 350 W |
| Release year | 2021 | 2020 |
Blender Cycles benchmarks
Estimated seconds / frame Lower is faster
RTX 3060 12 GB
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 91 runs
RTX 3090
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 85 runs
Junkshop
Monster
Classroom
Which GPU should you choose for Blender?
RTX 3090 is the stronger Blender rendering pick here based on benchmark score.
Cycles rendering performance
RTX 3090 leads by 156.2% in the Renderjuice Blender benchmark model (5,097 vs 1,990). For render-time-first decisions, that is the card to prioritize.
VRAM and scene capacity
RTX 3090 has more scene headroom with 24 GB of VRAM versus 12 GB on RTX 3060 12 GB. That matters most for large environments, dense geometry, high-resolution textures, and less optimized production files.
Power ratings and cooling
RTX 3060 12 GB is the lower-power option at 170 W TDP, compared with 350 W for RTX 3090. If render speed is close, that can make RTX 3060 12 GB easier to cool and run quietly.
Is the upgrade worthwhile?
RTX 3060 12 GB is newer, but RTX 3090 still leads this Blender benchmark comparison. That makes the older card worth considering when used pricing or VRAM capacity is favorable.
Comparison summary
RTX 3090 leads the Blender benchmark score by 156.2%.
Fastest in Cycles: RTX 3090 156% faster than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Most VRAM: RTX 3090 100% more VRAM than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Lowest power draw: RTX 3060 12 GB 51% lower rating than RTX 3090.
Cheapest: RTX 3060 12 GB 77% cheaper than RTX 3090.
Best value for money: RTX 3060 12 GB 67% better value than RTX 3090.
RTX 3060 12 GB has 12 GB of VRAM, while RTX 3090 has 24 GB, which matters when scenes, textures, or geometry get heavier.
If you are deciding between these cards for Blender, focus first on Blender benchmark score, VRAM capacity, memory bandwidth, and whether your scenes are likely to benefit more from raw speed or extra memory headroom. The comparison table above keeps those tradeoffs in one place.