Home > GPU

Is the RTX 4060 worth it?

Can the RTX 4060 prove to be a top-tier card, or will it languish in its 1080p standard
Last Updated on June 29, 2023
PC Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More
You can trust PC Guide: Our team of experts use a combination of independent consumer research, in-depth testing where appropriate - which will be flagged as such, and market analysis when recommending products, software and services. Find out how we test here.

Nvidia’s upcoming release RTX 4060 has found itself under the scrutinizing gaze of enthusiasts and experts alike. However, a key question persists: is the RTX 4060 worth it? Despite its affordability, initial analyses and gaming benchmarks suggest that it may not be Nvidia’s strongest offering to date.

While the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 undeniably exhibits some advancement compared to its non-Ada Lovelace architecture predecessor, the RTX 3060, the extent of this improvement leaves much to be desired. Early synthetic benchmark results indicate only a 15 to 20% performance increase when DLSS, frame generation, and Ray Tracing 3.0 are activated.

This might appear as a decent step forward, but a closer examination reveals that without these features, the GPU struggles to distinguish itself from its competitors or even its predecessor.

The cost-effectiveness of the RTX 4060 is appealing, particularly to those seeking a reasonable balance between performance and budget. Nevertheless, if one were to upgrade their budget slightly further, alternative graphics cards, such as the AMD Radeon RX 7600, could offer superior performance. This begs the question, how good will the RTX 4060 be?

How good will the RTX 4060 be?

While the RTX 4060 spec sheet might not revolutionize the mid-range GPU market, it does serve a purpose. For gamers who prioritize features such as DLSS and Ray Tracing over raw performance, the RTX 4060 might offer an acceptable balance between affordability and functionality. It’s also worth considering the potential optimization improvements that could come with future driver updates, which may enhance the performance of the RTX 4060 over time.

However, if DLSS and Ray Tracing are your main priorities, waiting for the RTX 4060 Ti Founders Edition variant with 12GB of VRAM, which lands in July, might be a more prudent option for those looking for a better gaming experience or improved FPS. Despite a likely higher price tag, the added memory and potentially superior performance could make it a more valuable investment in the long run.

In conclusion, the value of the RTX 4060 largely depends on the specific needs and budget constraints of the user. For those seeking cutting-edge performance and can afford to stretch their budget slightly further, the RX 7600 or even the RTX 4060 Ti might be more suitable.

Nevertheless, for gamers who prioritize features like DLSS and Ray Tracing, and are working within a tighter budget, the RTX 4060 could be a worthwhile consideration, albeit not the best Nvidia has to offer. As with any tech investment, it’s crucial to weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision, ensuring your chosen GPU aligns with your gaming requirements and budgetary constraints.

Camilo is a contributor for PC Guide. He's been into tech since he was a teen, surfing through the web and local stores trying to find the cheapest way to play the latest Half-Life on his old Windows