RTX 3060 vs RX 9060 XT for Blender
Compare RTX 3060 12 GB and RX 9060 XT 16 GB for Blender Cycles. See benchmark performance, VRAM, power ratings and checked prices side by side. RTX 3060 12 GB leads the Blender benchmark score by 18.7%.
Fastest in Cycles
RTX 3060 12 GB
19% faster than RX 9060 XT 16 GB
Most VRAM
RX 9060 XT 16 GB
33% more VRAM than RTX 3060 12 GB
Lowest power draw
RX 9060 XT 16 GB
6% lower rating than RTX 3060 12 GB
Cheapest
RTX 3060 12 GB
12% cheaper than RX 9060 XT 16 GB
Best value for money
RTX 3060 12 GB
35% better value than RX 9060 XT 16 GB
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $458.94 Checked Oct 1, 2026 | $519.99 Checked Oct 2, 2026 |
| Value for money | 4.33 +35% | 3.22 |
| Performance | ||
| Blender benchmark score | 1,988.82 +19% | 1,675.11 |
| CUDA cores | 3,584 | N/A |
| Boost clock | 1.78 GHz | 3130 MHz +76% |
| RT cores | 28 | 32 +14% |
| Tensor cores | 112 | N/A |
| Memory | ||
| VRAM | 12 GB Meets Blender’s recommended VRAM | 16 GB More headroom for complex scenes+33% |
| Memory bandwidth | 360 GB/s +13% | 320 GB/s |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 192-bit +50% | 128-bit |
| Memory speed | 15 Gbps | N/A |
| Platform | ||
| Architecture | Ampere | RDNA 4 |
| Render support | OptiX, CUDA | HIP |
| TDP | 170 W | 160 W −6% |
| System PSU | N/A | 450 W Manufacturer requirement |
| Release year | 2021 | 2025 |
Blender Cycles benchmarks
Estimated seconds / frame Lower is faster
RTX 3060 12 GB
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 81 runs
RX 9060 XT 16 GB
Blender 5.2.0 · HIP · 51 runs
Junkshop
Monster
Classroom
Which GPU should you choose for Blender?
RTX 3060 12 GB is faster for Blender rendering, but RX 9060 XT 16 GB has more VRAM. That makes this a speed-versus-scene-headroom decision.
Cycles rendering performance
RTX 3060 12 GB leads by 18.7% in the Renderjuice Blender benchmark model (1,989 vs 1,675). For render-time-first decisions, that is the card to prioritize.
VRAM and scene capacity
RX 9060 XT 16 GB has more scene headroom with 16 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
RX 9060 XT 16 GB is the lower-power option at 160 W TDP, compared with 170 W for RTX 3060 12 GB. If render speed is close, that can make RX 9060 XT 16 GB easier to cool and run quietly.
Is the upgrade worthwhile?
RX 9060 XT 16 GB is newer, but RTX 3060 12 GB still leads this Blender benchmark comparison. That makes the older card worth considering when used pricing or VRAM capacity is favorable.
Comparison summary
RTX 3060 12 GB leads the Blender benchmark score by 18.7%.
Fastest in Cycles: RTX 3060 12 GB 19% faster than RX 9060 XT 16 GB.
Most VRAM: RX 9060 XT 16 GB 33% more VRAM than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Lowest power draw: RX 9060 XT 16 GB 6% lower rating than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Cheapest: RTX 3060 12 GB 12% cheaper than RX 9060 XT 16 GB.
Best value for money: RTX 3060 12 GB 35% better value than RX 9060 XT 16 GB.
RTX 3060 12 GB has 12 GB of VRAM, while RX 9060 XT 16 GB has 16 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.