The revived RTX 3060 12GB has become an unusually expensive option for budget PC builders, with its price now sitting well above newer graphics cards. The older GPU has seen a major price increase, and it now costs significantly more than the RTX 5050, despite the newer card offering better overall performance.

The RTX 3060 12GB has reportedly climbed to around $459.99-$479.99 depending on the model. One MSI version is listed at $479.99, while a Gigabyte model is available for around $459.99.

That is a huge jump for the revived graphics card that originally launched with a $329 MSRP. Even more surprising is the fact that the RTX 3060 is now more expensive than the RTX 5050, which is currently available for around $299.99.

Of course, there is one obvious advantage to the RTX 3060: 12GB of VRAM. The RTX 5050 comes with 8GB, so some buyers may still prefer the older card for games and workloads where having more memory can help. However, paying roughly $160-$180 more for an older GPU is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

The RTX 3060 was already replaced by the RTX 4060 back in 2023, and Nvidia has since introduced newer options in the same segment, including the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050. That makes the current pricing even stranger, especially since the RTX 5050 is not only newer but also faster than the RTX 3060 in many 1080p gaming scenarios.

The RTX 5060 also remains an interesting option, although its pricing is currently higher than it should be. A current-generation 12GB card may make more sense for buyers who are willing to spend more, but prices across the GPU market remain inflated.

At its current price, the RTX 3060 12GB is simply hard to recommend. Unless you specifically need its extra VRAM and find a much lower price, newer cards such as the RTX 5050 offer a better overall deal.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.