Architect's technical teardown: VRAM capacity, memory bandwidth, TDP, and AI throughput — compared head-to-head for local LLM workloads.
Affordable unified memory. A highly capable entry-level LLM workstation perfectly suited for developer desks.
The ultimate budget entry card. 12GB of VRAM provides the vital headroom needed for Llama 3 and Stable Diffusion at minimum cost.
| Metric | Apple Mac mini (M4 Pro) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 24GB | 12GB |
| Memory Bandwidth | 273 GB/s | 360 GB/s |
| AI Throughput (TOPS) | 75 | 102 |
| TDP (Power Draw) | 65W | 170W |
| Est. Price | $1,299.99 | $249.99 |