Let the battle of the Nvidia GPU siblings start! The GeForce RTX 3060 versus the RTX 3060 Ti. First, we’ll cowl the pricing and availability of those in style choices with present market situations. Extra importantly, we are going to clear up the confusion as to which of the 2 GPUs is the best graphics card for you. Is it the 12GB of VRAM RTX 3060? Or maybe the 3060 Ti will edge out a win, even with its 8GB of VRAM? We’ll crown the victor after the mud settles!
GeForce RTX 3060 vs. RTX 3060 Ti: Worth and availability
Let’s get the fabled MSRP pricing out of the best way; you’ll be unlikely to pay both the $329 asking worth for the RTX 3060, nor will you’ve any luck with the $399 RTX 3060 Ti. The explanation for that is continued GPU shortages coupled with insane demand from avid gamers and crypto miners.
How a lot do you have to anticipate to pay on the secondhand market, akin to on eBay? You’ll probably be within the low $700s vary for the 3060. The 3060 Ti will up your spend to almost the mid $800s. Actually not ultimate, and really removed from affordable in at this time’s present market. If you happen to can look forward to higher costs, that’s the ace transfer. Be mindful, these costs can change drastically from week-to-week.
A customized EVGA GeForce RTX 3060
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
How has crypto mining affected availability? Nvidia has positioned hash-rate limitations on each GPUs (read more on LHR) as a way to make them much less helpful to miners and unencumber stock for avid gamers. This has solely been barely efficient; crypto miners rapidly discover workarounds, or mine with much less effectivity throughout current peak profitability. Coupled with their decrease entry worth for avid gamers, you’ll be extra prone to discover an RTX 3090 in inventory earlier than you discover both of those.
RTX 3060 vs. RTX 3060 Ti: Efficiency
Let’s clear up some confusion: What’s up with the cheaper RTX 3060 having 12GB of VRAM versus the paltry 8GB on the RTX 3060 Ti? It’s probably a possible Nvidia advertising and marketing transfer to higher compete with AMD’s increased VRAM choices. When it comes to brute gaming efficiency, the 3060 Ti is mostly the superior GPU even with much less VRAM.
Brad Chacos/IDG
The use circumstances the place the 12GB of VRAM on the RTX 3060 could be higher are uncommon. The RTX 3060 Ti’s 8GB of VRAM is adequate for the target market—1440p avid gamers. Paradoxically, 4K and above is the place 12GB of VRAM could be helpful, however not with the {hardware} that’s within the RTX 3060. (You higher step as much as a RTX 3080 for higher 4K efficiency)
Learn Brad Chaco’s glorious overview of the RTX 3060 to get a extra in depth evaluation of the efficiency of those two GPUs. In a recreation akin to Horizon Zero Daybreak, you’ll discover the RTX 3060 Ti is usually nearer to the RTX 3070 in efficiency, relatively than the RTX 3060. This places it in the next class of GPU, no matter VRAM measurement. Bear in mind, the RTX 3070 solely has 8GB of VRAM too, and it does simply wonderful in most gaming situations.
Brad Chacos/IDG
In Metro Exodus, with results such ray tracing and hairworks on, the RTX 3060 Ti maintains a lead in efficiency versus its little brother, the RTX 3060.
RTX 3060 vs. RTX 3060 Ti: Energy and different issues to know
The 200W TDP RTX 3060 Ti will usually draw extra energy versus the 170W TDP RTX 3060, as its increased efficiency would point out. You may typically anticipate round 15 % in lots of circumstances on common, however thermals are sometimes comparable.
The RTX 3060 was additionally Nvidia’s first try and restrict the hash fee on the RTX 3000 GPUs, however there rapidly have been workarounds that unlocked it. The 3060 Ti will likely be among the many LHR, or Lite Hash Fee, GPUs which might be more durable to totally unlock. (The Founders Version RTX 3060 Ti is unaffected by LHR, nonetheless.)
And the champion is…
Brad Chacos/IDG
The RTX 3060 Ti is the winner and superior GPU. The VRAM benefit of the RTX 3060 is inconsequential on the decision these GPUs are aimed toward, 1080p and 1440p. It’s apparent that the stronger {hardware} on the RTX 3060 Ti makes it superior in gaming, and far nearer to the RTX 3070.
Must you purchase them at inflated costs? That’s sophisticated and can rely in your wants proper now. They proceed to be among the many hottest GPUs attributable to their efficiency and decrease barrier of entry, and that isn’t going to alter any time quickly. If you will discover one at MSRP, they’re an excellent worth; particularly the RTX 3060 Ti. We might advise not paying the outrageous costs these can typically go for, nonetheless. If costs finally come down sooner or later, you’ll be capable to get a higher-class GPU for comparable coin.