Nvidia’s graphics cards have always been at the forefront of the gaming industry, offering cutting-edge technology and performance to PC gamers worldwide. One of Nvidia’s GPUs that has garnered a lot of traction is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. Even today, many gaming enthusiasts wonder if they should leap from the predecessor, Nvidia RTX 2060, to RTX 3060. Let’s compare the Nvidia RTX 3060 vs Nvidia RTX 2060 to determine whether it will be a good leap.
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Nvidia RTX 3060 vs Nvidia RTX 2060 – Specs and components
| Specifications | Nvidia RTX 3060 | Nvidia RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Turing |
| Process size | 8 nm | 12 nm |
| Transistors | 12,000 million | 10,800 million |
| Base clock | 1320 MHz | 1365 MHz |
| Boost clock | 1777 MHz | 1680 MHz |
| Memory clock | 1875 MHz15 Gbps effective | 1750 MHz14 Gbps effective |
| Memory size | 12 GB | 6 GB |
| Memory bus | 192 bit | 192 bit |
| Bandwidth | 360.0 GB/s | 336.0 GB/s |
| CUDA cores / Shading units | 3584 | 1920 |
| Tensor cores | 112 | 240 |
| SM count | 28 | 30 |
| L1 cache | 128 KB (per SM) | 64 KB (per SM) |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 3 MB |
| TDP | 170 W | 160 W |
| Price | $329 | $349 |
Architecture and process size
The Nvidia RTX 3060 features the latest Ampere architecture built on an 8 nm process, while the previous generation Nvidia RTX 2060 utilizes the Turing architecture on a 12 nm process. The shift to the Ampere architecture signifies improvements in performance and efficiency due to architectural enhancements and a smaller process size.
Clock speeds and memory
In terms of clock speeds, the RTX 3060 boasts higher base and boost clocks compared to the RTX 2060, indicating better out-of-the-box performance potential. Additionally, the RTX 3060 offers double the memory size of the RTX 2060, with 12 GB of VRAM compared to 6 GB. Moreover, the memory bandwidth of the RTX 3060 is higher, which can lead to smoother performance, especially in memory-intensive tasks such as gaming at higher resolutions or utilizing complex textures and effects.
Core counts and shading units
The RTX 3060 outshines the RTX 2060 in terms of CUDA cores, tensor cores, and streaming multiprocessors (SMs). With significantly higher counts in all these aspects, the RTX 3060 demonstrates superior parallel processing capabilities, enabling faster rendering times and better performance in demanding applications that utilize parallel computing architectures.
TDP and efficiency
While the RTX 3060 has a slightly higher TDP than the RTX 2060, the architecture and process size improvements contribute to better power efficiency. The increased power consumption is offset by the enhanced performance and features offered by the RTX 3060, making it a compelling choice for users looking for a balance between performance and power consumption.
Nvidia RTX 3060 vs Nvidia RTX 2060 – Performance
The specifications demonstrate that the Nvidia RTX 3060 offers significant improvements over the RTX 2060 processor in various aspects. With a newer architecture (Ampere) and a smaller process size (8 nm), the RTX 3060 is more power-efficient and can deliver better real world performance per watt than the RTX 2060. Additionally, both the RTX 3060 and RTX 2060s support ray tracing, providing an additional performance boost.
The RTX 3060 boasts a higher base and boost clock speed, more CUDA cores, and increased memory size, all contributing to enhanced gaming and rendering performance. The RTX 3060’s higher memory clock and bandwidth also allow for smoother gameplay and better handling of memory-intensive tasks than its predecessor.
In real-world usage scenarios, the RTX 3060 consistently outperforms the RTX 2060 across various games and applications. Gamers can expect higher frame rates, better visual fidelity, and improved gaming experiences with the RTX 3060.
Nvidia RTX 3060 vs Nvidia RTX 2060 – Price
When it comes to price and value, the Nvidia RTX 3060 offers a compelling proposition. While it may come with a slightly higher price tag of $349 compared to the RTX 2060, just $329, the improvements in performance and features justify the additional cost. The RTX 3060 provides excellent value for gamers and content creators because of the increased memory size, faster speeds, and better performance. Its enhanced capabilities make it future-proof for upcoming games and applications that demand more from graphics hardware.
Is the Nvidia RTX 3060 good for gaming?
Yes, the RTX 3060 is a very capable and well-developed graphics card that can handle most of today’s video games at high settings and 1080p display resolution. Although it is suitable for most games, users may find that other models, such as the RTX 3060 Ti, may perform slightly better overall in the gaming department.
Final verdict
With fierce competition in the marketplace between Intel, AMD, and Nvidia, acquiring the right GPU can be tricky. The leap from the Nvidia RTX 2060 to the RTX 3060 is undoubtedly significant. The RTX 3060 sets a new standard for mid-range graphics cards with superior performance, improved efficiency, and better value. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a professional content creator, the Nvidia RTX 3060 offers the horsepower and features to meet your demands and elevate your computing experience to the next level.
