RTX 3060 Vs 3060 Ti: Should You Upgrade?

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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With the rising prices of graphics cards, consumers are looking towards older models to keep the cost down. Today, we will pin two cheap cards from the last generation of GPUs to definitively declare a winner between the RTX 3060 vs RTX 3060 Ti.

Key Takeaways

• Throughout our testing, the RTX 3060 Ti was around 20% faster than the RTX 3060 at 1440p.
• The power consumption was around 20% greater on the RTX 3060 Ti during our testing as well.
• The RTX 3060 Ti is only $50 more expensive than the RTX 3060 as of the time of updating this article.

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

1. Process Node: As two graphics cards from the same generation, the RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti use Samsung’s 8nm processing node.
2. Clock Speed: As you would expect, the RTX 3060 Ti is clocked slightly higher than the RTX 3060. It has a base frequency of 1410MHz, while the RTX 3060 has a base clock of only 1320MHz. The boost clock is unexpectedly lower on the RTX 3060 Ti, around 1670MHz than the 1780MHz of the 3060.
3. TDP: The RTX 3060 Ti has a TDP of 200 watts, while the RTX 3060 takes it down a tad with a TDP of 170 watts.
4. VRAM: Confusingly, the lower tier RTX 3060 has more VRAM than the higher end RTX 3060 Ti, 12GB and 8GB, respectively. The 3060 Ti has a wider 256-bit bus, though, while the RTX 3060 uses a 196-bit memory bus.

Benchmarks

With the differences between the RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti GPUs clarified, it’s time to put them through their paces. Understanding a graphics card’s efficiency is just as important as knowing its price. Simply put, we need to know whether or not a GPU’s performance justifies its price.

PC Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core i9-10900K
• Motherboard: MSI MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS
• CPU Cooler: Corsair iCUE H150i PRO XT RGB
• 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
• Resolution: 1440p

Cyberpunk 2077

• In the first game of our testing, the RTX 3060 Ti had an average framerate of only 44 FPS, while the RTX 3060 had an even lower performance of only 37 FPS. This comes out to a difference of around 19%, in the advantage of the RTX 3060 Ti, of course.
• The 1% lows were even worse on both cards, around 32 FPS on the RTX 3060 and 38 FPS on the 3060 Ti.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

• The second game on the chopping block had a 21% performance advantage for the RTX 3060 Ti. Our testing showed that the RTX 3060 had an average performance of 47 FPS in SotTR, while the RTX 3060 Ti managed to get an average framerate of 57 FPS.
• The 1% lows were around 41 FPS, while the RTX 3060 Ti was noticeably less stuttery, with minimums closer to 48 FPS.

Forza Horizon 5

• Testing Forza Horizon 5 was a rather pleasant experience on both our graphics cards, though the RTX 3060 Ti ran it 20% better in terms of average framerates. The RTX 3060 had a performance of 115 FPS on average, while the 3060 Ti leaped ahead with a performance of 138 FPS.
• The 1% lows were around 100 FPS on the RTX 3060, while the Ti was once again 20% ahead with lows of 120 FPS.

Horizon Zero Dawn

• The RTX 3060 Ti leaped 20% ahead of the RTX 3060 once again in our test of Horizon Zero Dawn. The higher-tier card had an average framerate of 78 FPS, while the RTX 3060 delivered an average of 65 FPS.
• The 1% lows were 61 FPS on the RTX 3060 and a much smoother 70 FPS on the RTX 3060 Ti.

Battlefield V

• Our test of Battlefield V ran 18.75% better on the RTX 3060 Ti, with an average framerate of 76 FPS, while the RTX 3060 had an average framerate closer to 64 FPS.
• The 1% lows were around 66 FPS, while the RTX 3060 was hitting 56 FPS, which felt noticeably more stuttery.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• The average framerate difference returned to 20% in our run of Red Dead Redemption 2, with the RTX 3060 averaging a  framerate of around 60 FPS, while the RTX 3060 Ti had a framerate of around 72 FPS.
• The 1% lows dwindled down to around 51 FPS for the lower-end GPU, while the RTX 3060 Ti managed to get a minimum of 57 FPS.

Control

• Our test of Control on Ultra settings once again showed a 20% difference between the performance of these GPUs, with the RTX 3060 delivering an average framerate of 56 FPS, while the RTX 3060 Ti delivered around 67 FPS on average.
• The 1% lows were around 53 FPS when we tested this game with the 3060, whereas the RTX 3060 Ti gave minimums of around 63 FPS.

Overall Gaming Performance

In the seven games we tested, the RTX 3060 Ti consistently came on top with an average framerate of 76 FPS, whereas the RTX 3060 had an average of around 63 FPS, which is around 19% lower.

The 1% lows were also 19% lower on the RTX 3060, averaging 56 FPS in opposition to the 67 FPS lows that the RTX 3060 Ti produced.

Temperatures

The temperatures were around 51°C on average on the RTX 3060, whereas the RTX 3060 Ti had an average temperature of around 54°C. The extra toastiness of the RTX 3060 Ti is no point of concern.

Power Consumption

Power consumption scaled linearly with the performance of these GPUs, with a 20% increase on average between the two. The RTX 3060 Ti had an average power consumption of around 176 watts, while the RTX 3060 took aback 146 watts.

Price And Availability

The RTX 3060 can be had for around $249 new from online retailers, whereas the RTX 3060 Ti goes for around $299.

Both graphics are very relevant in this market and should be available around the world.

RTX 3060 vs RTX 3060 Ti: What We Recommend

Now that we have the details on the RTX 3060 Ti vs RTX 3060, this part of the comparison will answer the question of what you should get.

Realistically, the $49 upcharge for the RTX 3060 Ti is worth the 20% or so performance uplift for most people, so we would encourage anyone with the budget to go for the RTX 3060 Ti.

If you find the RTX 3060 for a good deal or can’t afford the RTX 3060 Ti, remember that this card was not made for anything higher than 1080p. If you keep your expectations in check, the RTX 3060 can be a delightful card to use on a daily.

Abde Manaf

[Comparisons Expert]

Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.

Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.

As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.

Get In Touch: manaf@tech4gamers.com