But the RTX 2070 vs RTX 3060 comparison pits the already dated Turing giant into battle against its Ampere mid-ranger. The two GPUs are designed for high end 1080p and 1440p gaming and target different users. When the RTX 2070 was a premium offering in 2019, it offered excellent performance AND features, whereas the RTX 3060 is about efficiency, improved ray tracing, and affordability.
In this article I will review the performance of their gaming, ray tracing and power efficiency, and deliver their gaming and pricing details to help you decide which GPU is best for you.
Overview of RTX 2070 vs RTX 3060
| Specification | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2018 | 2021 |
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6 |
| CUDA Cores | 2,304 | 3,584 |
| Base/Boost Clock | 1410/1620 MHz | 1320/1777 MHz |
| TDP (Power Usage) | 175W | 170W |
The RTX 3060 focuses more on newer games that require good memory and cores and is built for people who like to game, meanwhile, the RTX 2070 is made for people who enjoy what they play.
Gaming Performance: RTX 2070 vs RTX 3060
While both GPUs perform well in 1080p and 1440p gaming, the RTX 3060 isn’t far behind the RTX 3060 Ti in newer titles thanks to its slightly more advanced architecture and bigger VRAM.
| Game | RTX 2070 (FPS Avg) | RTX 3060 (FPS Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p Ultra) | ~55 FPS | ~60 FPS |
| GTA V (1440p High) | ~75 FPS | ~78 FPS |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1440p Ultra) | ~65 FPS | ~70 FPS |
| Fortnite (1080p Performance Mode) | ~130 FPS | ~140 FPS |
Key Takeaway: In gaming, especially in games with memory intensity and require ray tracing, GTX 1660 and GTX1660 Ti are slightly weaker than the RTX 3060. The RTX 2070 is competitive here, for traditional rasterized performance.
Ray Tracing and DLSS: Advanced Graphics
Compared to RTX 2070 vs RTX 3060, ray tracing and AI upscaling are pretty important things.
- RTX 2070 Advantages:
- 1st Gen Ray Tracing Cores, delivering solid performance in early ray-traced games.
- Supports DLSS 2.0, improving performance in compatible titles.
- RTX 3060 Advantages:
- 2nd Gen Ray Tracing Cores, offering better performance and visual fidelity.
- DLSS 2.0 with enhanced AI-based upscaling for higher frame rates.
Key Takeaway: The ray tracing performance and DLSS capabilities of the RTX 3060 makes gaming in next gen titles not only better, but smoother and more immersive.
Power Efficiency and Thermal Performance
The ampere architecture vastly improved efficiency, but the need of similar levels of power between the RTX 3060 and RTX 2070 remains.
| Feature | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP (Power Usage) | 175W | 170W |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 550W |
| Thermal Output | Higher | Lower |
Key Takeaway: While on similar power draw, the RTX 3060 is slightly more efficient at producing less heat.
Pricing and Availability
The RTX 3060 and RTX 2070 really differ when it comes to pricing, particularly in the secondhand market.
| Feature | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch MSRP | $499 | $329 |
| Used Market Price | ~$200-$300 | ~$250-$350 |
Key Takeaway: A newer GPU with better features would be the RTX 3060, while the budget friendly used RTX 2070 would be a pleasant surprise.
Key Features
| Feature | RTX 2070 | RTX 3060 |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Tracing Cores | 1st Gen | 2nd Gen |
| DLSS Support | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 2.0 |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6 |
| Driver Support | Stable and Reliable | Latest and Active |
A larger VRAM and more powerful ray tracing cores make the RTX 3060 better suited to modern games and future proofing you against future games.
RTX 2070 vs RTX 3060: Which One Should You Choose?
Your choice between the RTX 2070 vs RTX 3060 depends on your gaming needs and budget:
- Choose the RTX 2070 if:
- You prioritize rasterized performance and don’t heavily rely on ray tracing.
- You’re looking for a budget-friendly option in the secondhand market.
- You already own a system that supports Turing GPUs.
- Choose the RTX 3060 if:
- You want better ray tracing and DLSS performance for next-gen games.
- You need more VRAM for memory-intensive tasks or games.
- You’re building a modern gaming rig and prefer a newer architecture.
CLICK HERE: GTX 1060 vs AMD RX 590
Conclusion
NVIDIA GPUs’ evolution is the main story in the RTX 2070 vs RTX 3060 comparison. Though the RTX 2070 was a potent card, comparatively, at its time the RTX 3060 brings more advanced features, better ray tracing possibilities, and superior efficiency on a lower price point.
But the RTX 2070 is still within striking distance for budget gamers, especially those window-shopping used. The RTX 3060 is the clear winner if you’re looking for a future-proof GPU with the sharpest features but it’s a poor value compared to the RTX 3070.