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