The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 has been in the marketplace since February 2021, however the mid-range graphics card stays well-liked and widespread amongst avid gamers.

According to the newest Steam Hardware & Software Survey, the venerable Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 is at present essentially the most extensively used graphics card on Valve’s platform — and with good cause. In explicit, it nonetheless provides an excellent price-performance ratio for PC avid gamers.

But that’s not the one cause. What makes the GeForce RTX 3060 so profitable, and is the mid-range graphics card nonetheless value shopping for in 2024? Let’s check out this intimately.

Further studying: The best graphics cards for PC gaming

GeForce RTX 3060 intimately

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 is predicated on Nvidia’s GA106 “Ampere” graphics processor, which achieves a computing energy of 12.74 TFLOPS (“FP32”) with a complete of three,584 shader models. That quantity of energy reaches the efficiency stage of the present PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X recreation consoles, so it’s no slouch.

Nvidia’s GPU is supported by both 8 or 12GB of GDDR6 graphics reminiscence, relying on the mannequin you purchase. Most fashions have 12GB.

The reminiscence configuration of the RTX 3060 is shocking at first look. It has 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM, which is much more than the considerably sooner GeForce RTX 3080, which initially solely had 10GB of GDDR6X. With some cutting-edge video games requiring greater than 8GB of VRAM to run Ultra settings even at 1080p decision — particularly with ray tracing lively — the additional capability is welcome in 2024.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 – Specifications

• GA106 graphics processor (“GA106-302”)
• 3.584 shader models with as much as 1.77 GHz
• 12GB GDDR6 graphics reminiscence at 15 Gbps
• Memory interface with 128-bit and 240 GB/s
• Up to 170 watts of energy loss (“TDP”)

Though it has since been surpassed in effectivity by newer RTX 40-series GPUs, the RTX 3060’s energy consumption (TDP) of 170 watts is relatively low for a graphics card on this efficiency class.

These technical specs paired with a relatively favorable value versus current-gen GeForce and Radeon graphics playing cards are what make it so profitable even at this later stage of its life.

At the extent of present recreation consoles

Brad Chacos/IDG

As already talked about, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 has computing energy on a par with the at present out there technology of video games consoles, so it’s appropriate for all video games.

It is primarily aimed toward avid gamers who play in 1080p decision (1,920 × 1,080 pixels) at medium to excessive particulars. This opens up an enormous marketplace for Nvidia, because the producer is especially concentrating on avid gamers who need to spend $250 to $300 on a graphics card.

AMD’s rival Radeon RX 7600 and Intel’s Arc A750 graphics playing cards additionally exist on this value vary, however each prime out at 8GB of reminiscence and devour extra energy, whereas the RTX 3060 holds a agency lead in ray tracing efficiency. Nvidia additionally provides a compelling suite of software program options; whereas options exist, Nvidia applied sciences like DLSS upscaling, the latency-reducing Nvidia Reflex, video-assisting Nvidia Broadcast, and RTX Video Super Resolution lead the pack and make the uncooked {hardware} contained in the RTX 3060 even sooner and extra helpful.

The GeForce RTX 3060 continues to be value contemplating in 2024

In conclusion, we are able to say that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 continues to be a strong selection in 2024 if you may get maintain of customized design for underneath $300, particularly should you prioritize Nvidia options and a big reminiscence capability.

Brad Chacos/IDG

If you don’t thoughts dropping again to 8GB of VRAM, the $270 Radeon RX 7600 runs clip sooner than the 3060 at 1080p, whereas Intel’s Arc A750 does as effectively at a much lower $209 price, although its software program options aren’t as superior as Nvidia’s. The present RTX 4060 can also be found for around $300, but it surely solely has 8GB of VRAM as effectively. We’d advocate skipping the 8GB RTX 3060 for a type of choices and solely specializing in 12GB fashions of the cardboard.

Here are a few of the greatest costs we’ve discovered on customized RTX 3060 graphics playing cards with 12GB of reminiscence:

The fundamental prerequisite so that you can be proud of a GeForce RTX 3060 is your necessities for the graphics settings. You ought to play in Full HD with medium to excessive particulars and intention for 45 to 60 frames per second.

This article was translated from German to English and initially appeared on pcwelt.de.