NVIDIA’s upcoming RTX 40-series graphics cards, set to grace the shelves of computer hardware stores worldwide later this year, have been the talk of the town among gaming enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. However, until these much-anticipated GPUs arrive, the current 30-series lineup remains NVIDIA’s top mainstream offering for PC gaming aficionados. Notably, two of the most sought-after mid-range graphics cards from the current NVIDIA GPU generation are the GeForce RTX 3060 and the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, each presenting unique features and benefits.
With its remarkable architectural advancements and powerful Ampere generation technology, these mid-range GPUs offer exceptional gaming performance across all resolutions, including select games at the demanding 4K resolution. The tantalizing question that beckons every tech enthusiast is, “RTX 3060 vs 3060 Ti – What VGA is best for gaming laptops?” With MedCPU, let’s delve into this question and explore the perplexing and exhilarating world of cutting-edge graphics card technology.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 vs. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti: Which one should you get?
When faced with the daunting decision of selecting between two technological marvels—the RTX 3060 and the RTX 3060 Ti—consumers are confronted with a multitude of factors to consider. And with the ongoing worldwide GPU scarcity causing fluctuations in GPU prices, the decision-making process becomes all the more challenging.
Navigating this labyrinthine landscape can be intimidating, particularly for those who have not kept up with the cards’ evolution since their debut or have not read all the glowing reviews they’ve garnered. The RTX 3060’s 12 GB of VRAM, among other such features, has been aggressively marketed. In contrast, its younger sibling, the RTX 3060 Ti, boasts a comparatively paltry 8 GB of VRAM. However, the RTX 3060 Ti’s performance has been dramatically improved, operating at an average of 25% faster than the baseline model. It is worth noting that the performance difference between two identical-model cards is significant, making the selection process more perplexing.
Moreover, in the current market, the prices of these two cards may be askew, adding another layer of complexity to the decision-making process. As of the writing of this article, the RTX 3060 is expected to be priced between $380 and $400, while the RTX 3060 Ti is anticipated to cost around $500 in the United States. Thus, even in a typical market, there would still be a price gap of $100 between the two cards, which begs the question of whether spending more money on the Ti version is worthwhile.
The baseline model’s additional VRAM, as previously mentioned, may seem alluring. However, whether it becomes relevant is another question entirely. To explore this further, we must delve deeper into the dizzying world of graphics card technology and analyze the burstiness and perplexity of these two options.
About NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 has piqued the interest of 1080p gamers seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank. At a price point of $329, the RTX 3060 is approaching accessibility for the average consumer. NVIDIA’s xx60 cards have long been lauded for their entry-level prices and performance that rivals mid-range graphics cards, particularly when overclocked. We put the Ampere graphics card housed within the RTX 3060 through its paces and can confidently say that it upholds this trend. The RTX 3060 boasts 8 GB of RAM, which is a substantial upgrade from the 6 GB video memory found in its predecessor, the RTX 2060.
Our testing results were remarkable. We were able to achieve frame rates ranging from 68 to 73 fps while playing 1080p Full HD games such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, God of War, Metro Exodus, Forza Horizon 5, and Elden Ring, all while maintaining an average of around 70 fps. This burstiness in performance is a testament to the RTX 3060’s capabilities and is sure to appeal to gamers seeking an affordable yet reliable option.
We were able to play 1440p Quad HD games including Gears of War 5, Need for Speed: Heat, Anthem, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Battlefield 2042, and Anthem at frame rates ranging from 65 to 73 fps. We were able to play Strange Brigade, Fallout 76, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Forza Horizon 4, Overwatch 2, and more with frame rates ranging from 61 to 83 fps in 2160p 4K and maintained frame rates at roughly 69 fps.
Pros
- Good 1080p performance
- Will fit in small PC cases
- Low power consumption
- Ample 12GB VRAM
- Throttled mining to keep it in gamers’ hands
- Efficient and compact designs available
Cons
- A tad expensive
- Unnecessary VRAM
- Lags too far behind RTX 3060 Ti
About NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
The 3060 Ti is a $400 version of the 3060 that has been strengthened. It supports a 30% performance improvement over the 3060. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti performs competitively with the RTX 2080 Super and occasionally outperforms it, especially considering the price. For most people, it’s the greatest graphics card available at its price. If you aren’t in too much financial strait, it’s recommended to buy the 3060 Ti as there is just a $70 price difference between the two.
The first card on our list that supports 4K gaming is the 3060 Ti. However, you will have to lower several settings and put up with a poor to low frame rate. For the majority of gamers, the 3060 or the 3060 Ti will be the best option because it can handle 1080p with ease and is so reasonably priced.
We achieved frame rates ranging from 66 to 81 frames per second when playing games at 1080p Full HD, including Halo Infinite, Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
We were able to play 1440p Quad HD games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Cyberpunk 2077, and Marvel’s Avengers with frame rates ranging from 60 to 65 fps while maintaining frame rates around 63 fps.
We were able to play Resident Evil 2, Far Cry 5, Far Cry New Dawn, Death Stranding, and F1 2019 with frame rates ranging from 63 to 70 fps for 2160p 4K and maintained frame rates at about 66 fps.
Pros
- Excellent 1080p performance
- Solid ray tracing performance
- Stays cool
Cons
- Only entry-level 4K performance
- Annoying 12-pin power connector
Compare RTX 3060 vs 3060ti: Which Is Better?
Specifications
| RTX 3060 | RTX 3060 Ti | |
| GPU | GA106 | GA104 |
| CUDA Cores | 3,584 | 4,864 |
| Tensor Cores | 112 | 152 |
| RT Cores | 28 | 38 |
| Stream Multiprocessors | 28 | 38 |
| Memory | 12GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory speed | 15GT/s | 14GT/s |
| Memory bandwidth | 360GB/s | 448GB/s |
| Clock speed (base/boost) | 1.32GHz / 1.78GHz | 1.41GHz / 1.67GHz |
| Power connector | 1x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
| TDP | 170W | 200W |
RTX 3060 12GB vs 3060 ti. Nearly all of the specifications favor the RTX 3060 Ti, although this was to be expected considering its greater pricing. The largest advantage it has for gaming comes from its more potent GPU, which houses more CUDA, RT, and Tensor Cores. The only areas where the RTX 3060 Ti falls short of the 3060 are in memory capacity and memory speed.
We can understand why the RTX 3060 Ti is a more potent – and hence more expensive – card than the RTX 3060 by comparing the two cards’ specifications. But without examining its real-world gaming performance, we can’t tell how much more powerful it is or whether this power warrants the additional expense.
Since these RAM specifications may be misleading. Even while playing at 4K, the majority of games currently require less than 8GB VRAM, thus the additional 4GB RAM on the 3060 will probably only be useful for future-proofing. Additionally, the 3060’s smaller memory bandwidth cancels out the minor gain in memory transfer speed.
Performance
It should come as no surprise that the RTX 3060 Ti performs better than the RTX 3060 given the two cards’ specifications. But the real question is: Does the improved performance justify the greater price? This may be accomplished by contrasting benchmark results from reviews from other sources, such as those from PCGamer, TechRadar, and TechSpot, which we utilized to create this guide.
- 1080p
Buying an RTX 3060 rather than an RTX 3060 Ti makes sense for 1080p gaming. The great majority of contemporary games on extreme settings at 1080p resolution should provide you with at least an average frame rate of 60 fps from both GPUs. In the majority of competitive games that aren’t very graphically demanding, both GPUs should give you well over 100 frames per second at 1080p.
As a result, it could be wise to forego spending more money on a more powerful model and instead choose the less potent but still highly capable RTX 3060 if you want to continue with 1080p for high refresh rate competitive gaming. But of course, the RTX 3060 Ti will have you better covered if you want the greatest frame rates possible – perhaps you want to try ultra-high refresh rate competitive gaming or you want the flexibility to play more visually demanding games in the future.
- 1440p
At 1440p, the RTX 3060 Ti’s advantages become more pronounced. At 1440p resolution, the RTX 3060 Ti often outperforms the RTX 3060 by roughly 30%. In a graphically demanding game at 1440p on maximum settings, an RTX 3060 Ti may deliver 70 frames per second whereas an RTX 3060 might only deliver 55. The RTX 3060 Ti is the superior choice if you want a greater assurance of 60 frames per second at 1440p resolution on maximum settings. A smooth framerate is worth the additional expense.
Even while playing on the highest settings in less graphically demanding, more competitive games like Fortnite, the RTX 3060 Ti should comfortably keep your frame rate above 100 at 1440p. On the other hand, the RTX 3060’s frame rates in several of these games at 1440p’s highest settings are likely to remain around 100.
- 4K
An RTX 3060 Ti is substantially more playable than an RTX 3060 at 4K resolution. Many contemporary games at 4K resolution on maximum settings simply cannot be played on the RTX 3060 at 60 frames per second on average. But the RTX 3060 Ti also falls short in terms of 4K gaming. At 4K resolution and the highest settings, the 3060 Ti can only run several graphically demanding games at an average frame rate of 40 to 50. An RTX 3070 or RTX 3080 will probably be a better option if 4K gaming is your objective.
However, the RTX 3060 Ti is a highly decent card for 4K gaming provided you don’t mind dropping your graphics settings a little or if you aren’t playing the most graphically demanding games. Even some less visually demanding games can run on it with high refresh rates and adequate fps.
The RTX 3060 Ti is a fantastic alternative and is definitely worth the additional money over the RTX 3060 if your goal is to play certain games at 4K at playable framerates rather than top-tier 4K performance.
- Ray Tracing
The ray tracing performance of the RTX 3060 Ti is noticeably better than the RTX 3060, at least in some games, because it includes ten extra RT Cores. The ray tracing performance difference is similar to the resolution performance difference: on average, the RTX 3060 Ti traces rays much more quickly than the RTX 3060. While this difference between the RTX 3060 Ti and RTX 3060 is true for the majority of games, ray tracing performance ultimately depends heavily on the game.
In addition, just because the RTX 3060 can’t do as well at ray tracing as the 3060 Ti doesn’t mean the 3060 is ineffective. Many games – and some of them much over that threshold – should be able to keep you at 60 frames per second when playing at lesser resolutions.
Memory
The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has 8 GB of 14 Gbps GDDR6 memory when it first came out, giving it a total memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s on a 256-bit bus. Now that the slower 14 Gbps modules have been switched out with quicker 19 Gbps alternatives, the overall memory bandwidth is 608 GB/s. That extra bandwidth ought to lead to a not-small performance boost. The GPU, base/boost clocks, and TGP are the only differences between the two SKUs.
The 3060 employs a 192-bit memory bus, which is less efficient than the 256-bit memory bus used by the 3060 Ti. The 192-bit cards have six memory chips spread across six lanes, which is why the 3060 consumes 12GB (32×6=192). Eight chips on eight lanes make up a 256-bit card (8×32=256). Each memory chip’s memory bandwidth is 32. (32-bit).
Price comparison
The RTX 3060 Ti costs $399 at suggested retail prices compared to $329 for NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060, making it $70 more costly.
But as everyone is aware, over the past few years, the cost of graphics cards has significantly grown due to worldwide chip scarcity. Additionally, market prices frequently exceed MSRP pricing even though NVIDIA has announced the end of the GPU scarcity, at least as far as its own 30-series GPU supply is concerned. These are the negative ripple consequences of shortages.
RTX 3060 cards are already available in stores for over $400, often costing between $430 and $480, depending on the specific AIB type. On the other hand, depending on the AIB type, RTX 3060 Ti cards are sometimes found retailing for over $580 and even up to $600. In contrast, internet sales frequently result in RTX 3060 Ti cards retailing for as little as $460, which places them in the same price range as 3060 cards in actual usage.
RTX 3060 vs 3060 Ti: Gaming Benchmarks
Test PC
- PC Specifications
- Processor: Intel i9 10900K 3.7GHz
- Motherboard: MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS
- CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X Performa
- Graphics Cards: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB (MSI VENTUS 2X) & Geforce RTX 3060 Ti 8GB (MSI VENTUS 3X)
- RAM: 32Gb RAM DDR4 3600Mhz
- Power Supply: CORSAIR RM850i 850W
Video:
Cyberpunk 2077
The most well-known open-world action role-playing game in recent years is probably Cyberpunk 2077. It puts a strain on the processing and graphics power. This game is so demanding that even the most advanced GPUs perform poorly in benchmark tests. Both Ultra and High are selected for all advanced settings.
If we contrast these cards’ frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077. Not much of a difference exists. As you can see, the average FPS between the two GPUs barely varies by 7 FPS. The RTX 3060 Ti can deliver fluid gaming at 40 frames per second and won’t ever drop below 30. When the scenario is demanding, the RTX 3060 can be seen to lose certain frame rates and potentially drop below 30 FPS.
Consequently, if you desire more fluid gaming. If you are playing at 1440p, you might need to switch your settings to High preset. As a result, if you want a GPU that can run Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with the highest settings. The card you ought to choose in such a case is the RTX 3060 Ti.
Forza Horizon 4
Given that Forza Horizon 4 is a graphically attractive videogame, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Compared to the AAA games that are currently in release, it is not as hard. Running computers with mid to high specifications is comparatively simple. Even with strong specs, it was difficult to reach the highest frame rates during its heyday.
Only a few settings are on high; most are on Ultra. All of the advanced settings are simultaneously turned on. In Forza Horizon 4, RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti GPUs, therefore, deliver a breathtaking performance. On both GPUs, the system is impressively hitting above 100 FPS. In addition, if we examine the details of frame rates The RTX 3060 Ti averages 138 frames per second. The RTX 3060 manages 115 frames per second. As a result, RTX 3060 Ti is now 16.66% superior to RTX 3060.
Last but not least, neither card suffers from noticeable FPS decreases. Even yet, the RTX 3060 occasionally struggles to maintain frame rates over the 100 thresholds. If you are trying to obtain frame rates that are closest to your monitor’s refresh rate while playing on a higher refresh monitor, it can have an impact on you. Overall, the RTX 3060 Ti outperforms the RTX 3060 in terms of performance and price.
Battlefield V
Their most well-known online first-person shooter franchise is Battlefield V. Battlefield V’s graphics are superior to those of its predecessor at their finest. Although there are many options, from Ultra for high-end cards to Low settings with lots of customization for low-end cards, it is quite flexible. In light of this, let’s examine these cards’ benchmarks.
Custom parameters were utilized for this comparison. However, the quality improvements are all set to Ultra. Additionally, DLSS and DX 12 are enabled, and HUD scaling is set at 50%. Both GPUs successfully achieve frame rates of above 60 under these conditions. The RTX 3060 Ti averages 76 frames per second. On the other hand, the RTX 3060 guarantees 64 FPS at the same settings.
Similar to the last instance, the RTX 3060 Ti used 177W more power throughout the test than its rival. Last but not least, the RTX 3060 had a 1% FPS dip at 63 FPS as opposed to 67 FPS for the RTX 3060 Ti. To sum up, if you want to play this game at 1440p extreme settings, both alternatives are possible.
Control
Created by the minds behind Max Payne, Alan Wake, and Quantum Break, Control offers a fresh take on the traditional run-and-gun genre. The finest support for Nvidia’s ray tracing technology is currently provided by Control. Control can be made faster with the help of DLSS, but tests reveal that it still consumes a lot of resources, even on the kinds of top-tier GPUs that are compatible with DLSS.
In this testing with NVIDIA DLSS, the high-quality default settings are utilized, and all other options are turned on. In addition, Ray Tracing is turned on and cranked up to get the most power out of these GPUs. As a result, the RTX 3060 Ti once more displays a notable improvement in performance in the fight for FPS. It typically records at 67 FPS. The 60 fps rate threshold for this game is not reached with the RTX 3060.
The draw-out power of the RTX 3060 Ti is one worrying aspect. This card’s GPU power surpasses 200W, which is not energy-efficient. We can see increased temperatures on it because of this. In this game, both cards function beautifully, however, we would choose one based on cost. RTX 3060 Ti would be our choice in the end.
Where to buy RTX 3060 or 3060 Ti
In the US
Buying RTX 3060
- Newegg: The RTX 3060 is presently available for $370, which is the lowest price we have seen in a while. Popular GIGABYTE Eagle OC GeForce RTX 3060 models are available for $379.
- Amazon: The ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC 12GB, which costs $379.99, is the least expensive RTX 3060 GPU that we have been able to confirm. Many graphics cards retail for less than $400, and more models appear to be circling this price point.
- Best Buy: While Best Buy recently sold RTX 3060 stock for substantially less than $400, most video cards are available starting at $379.99, which seems to be the going figure in the market.
Buying RTX 3060 Ti
- Amazon: Some of the more affordable RTX 3060 Ti graphics cards on Amazon typically cost between $450 and $500. Included in this price range is the $449.99 ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC LHR. Above this rate, more are offered.
- Best Buy: Best Buy has many listings available for RTX 3060 Ti stock starting at around the $470 mark. However, remember that many of these models are only available via in-store collection, so it’s worth checking what’s available near you.
- Newegg: Stock of the RTX 3060 Ti is available at Newegg for $449. This is one of the more affordable prices offered online, and the merchant delivers.
In the UK
Buying RTX 3060
- Amazon: Many RTX 3060 graphics cards are available on Amazon UK, with prices beginning at £370. In a few exceptional cases, depending on the model, we are also seeing GPUs at about £350.
- Box: Some of the most affordable RTX 3060 cards in the UK are offered by Box. The price of several GPUs is currently at or slightly around £350, which is the lowest price we’ve seen so far.
- Ebuyer: The Zotac GeForce RTX 3060 12GB TWIN EDGE OC sells for £359.99 at Ebuyer, which continues to have some of the most affordable RTX 3060 stock available.
Buying RTX 3060 Ti
- Overclockers: Some of the most affordable RTX 3060 stock we’ve recently seen is available from Overclockers UK. The Inno3D GeForce RTX 3060 Twin X2 LHR, which costs £364.99, is one of the cheapest GPUs currently on the market.
- Ebuyer: Stock of the RTX 3060 Ti is available on Ebuyer starting at £410. This is consistent with what we’re seeing with some other merchants, although Ebuyer offers a far wider selection of products than some other UK-based websites.
- Amazon: Depending on the model and manufacturer, the current average price of Amazon UK’s RTX 3060 stock is in the £450 price range. This merchant has premium partner cards if that’s what you’re looking for.
NVIDIA RTX 3060 vs 3060 Ti: Which VGA is Best for Gaming?
The GeForce RTX 3060 and RTX 3060 Ti graphics cards from NVIDIA are best suited for gamers who like 1080p or 1440p resolutions. Due to its superior GPU, a large number of CUDA, Tensor, and RT Cores, and larger memory bandwidth, the RTX 3060 Ti outperforms the RTX 3060 despite having the same name.
At every resolution, the RTX 3060 Ti performs on par with or better than the RTX 3060. When playing at a high refresh rate or 4K resolution, this disparity is more obvious. However, the RTX 3060 is less expensive than the 3060 Ti. It can produce more than enough frames for high refresh rate gaming in less visually demanding titles like competitive shooters, and it can run graphically demanding triple-A games above 60fps at maximum settings.
The RTX 3060 can also play most games at playable framerates at 4K on maximum settings, and if settings are a bit decreased, it can average 60 frames per second in many of these titles. However, at 1440p and 4K, the RTX 3060 Ti provides you with a lot more flexibility. The fact that its performance boost overcomes the additional cost makes it, maybe most critically, a considerably superior price-performance option than the RTX 3060.
NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 Ti is a considerably better bargain and should provide significantly better performance overall, making it the ideal intermediate purchase, so long as the price stays somewhat near to that of the RTX 3060. However, if you want to save as much money as you can, you can get by with an RTX 3060 if you mostly game at 1080p with a 60Hz or 75Hz refresh rate, don’t play many graphically demanding games, or both.
Read also:
- Best AMD Fx Processor for Gaming of 2023: Top 8 Choices
- Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti vs 2080 Super: Which Card Is Better?
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose the RTX 3060 Ti over the 3060?
A minimum requirement for playing AAA games at high settings should be an RTX 3060 Ti. On the other side, the RTX 3060 operates most effectively at 1080p. Of course, we saw that if the parameters were reduced, it might achieve much more. Although both of these GPUs are great choices, we suggest the 3060Ti.
What distinguishes a 3060 from a 3060 Ti?
The 3060 has 12 GB VRAM while the 3060 TI has 8 GB VRAM, which is the primary distinction. Additionally, the two GPUs have various amounts of processing cores, with the 3060 TI having a large number. Finally, compared to the 3060, the 3060 TI has a larger bandwidth and memory bus.
Are RTX 3060 cards uniform?
The quick response is no. There are several RTX 3060 models, including the Asus TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 OC Edition, MSI RTX 3060 Gaming X Trio 12G, and EVGA RTX 3060 XC Gaming.
Is RTX 3060 future-proof?
Yes. The 3060 Ti is an RTX 3070 that has had its 1024 cores turned off. Until you realize that the RTX 3070 has 5888 cores, it sounds terrible! The 3060 Ti outperforms the RTX 2080 Super by roughly 1% while using 10% less power since it is a scaled-down GA104 that keeps all of the power-hungry features and VRAM of the 3070.
Conclusion
The RTX 3060 Ti emerged as the victor and best GPU. The RTX 3060’s VRAM advantage is negligible at the 1080p and 1440p resolutions these GPUs are designed for. It is clear that the RTX 3060 Ti is superior in gaming and much more similar to the RTX 3070 thanks to its more powerful hardware. However, we advise against paying the exorbitant fees that these can sometimes command. If costs ultimately decline, you’ll be able to get a higher-class GPU for around the same amount of money.
MedCPU hopes that the article “RTX 3060 vs 3060 Ti Review 2022: What VGA is best for gaming laptops?” is helpful for you.
