Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti im Test : Test |CUP | Specs |Config

tl;dr: With the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, Nvidia offers a slightly stripped-down RTX 3070 that is faster than a GeForce RTX 2080 Super for 400 euros on paper. The well-known design of the Founders Edition convinced in the test. Asus GeForce RTX 3060 Ti TUF and MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X render almost whisper-quiet.

The first 60s with gaming amps

After GeForce RTX 3090 (test), GeForce RTX 3080 (test) and GeForce RTX 3070 (test) from September to October and the Radeon RX 6800 XT and Radeon RX 6800 (test) in November, the GeForce RTX 3060 will follow on December 2nd Ti is the first new graphics card from Nvidia’s 60s series. Today the embargo falls on tests, from tomorrow the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti will be available for an RRP of 399 euros. Its performance should be on the level of a GeForce RTX 2080 Super, whose RRP was previously 739 euros. Sounds like a good offer.

EIA with high probability only waste

However, in this case too, it can be assumed that the manufacturer’s recommended retail price is currently only of a theoretical nature. It is said that the number of GeForce RTX 3060 Ti units was even higher. In view of the enormous demand for new graphics cards, also because the old generation is slowly disappearing from the market, it must be doubted that stocks will last long.

GeForce RTX 3060 Ti from Nvidia, Asus and MSI in the test

Not only did Nvidia’s Founders Edition attend the test, but also two first custom designs: Asus GeForce RTX 3060 Ti TUF OC and MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Gaming X.

At first glance, it is noticeable that no manufacturer is breaking new ground with the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti: All three models are the same as the respective variants of the GeForce RTX 3070, the largest optical deviation can still be found in the Founders Edition. The test clarifies how well the three graphics cards perform.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti in detail

The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is more or less a GeForce RTX 3070, whose GA104-GPU 8 of 46 streaming multiprocessors has been deleted and changes in clock rate and power consumption have been made. With the Ampere architecture, this results in 4,864 instead of 5,888 FP32-ALUs – 18 percent less. Instead of the 6 GPCs, which contain the raster units and also the ROPs, only 5 are active, as these are sufficient for 38 SMs (one GPC carries 8 SMs on the GA104).

In terms of frequencies, Nvidia provides a base clock of 1,410 MHz and an average turbo of 1,665 MHz for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. That is 65 MHz less than the GeForce RTX 3070. With fewer execution units and a reduced clock rate, the Ti can consume a maximum of 200 watts and thus 20 watts less. An 8-pin PCIe power connector is required for this.

With the memory interface and expansion, however, everything remains the same: The 8 GB GDDR6 memory is connected to a 256-bit interface, the clock rate is 7,000 MHz. This results in the memory bandwidth of 448 GB / s known from the GeForce RTX 3070.

60s series with the second largest GPU

Nvidia has actually only ever used the third fastest GPU of a generation in the GeForce graphics cards of the 60 series. GeForce RTX 2060 and GeForce RTX 2060 Super were also based on the TU106 and thus the third largest expansion stage from Turing (TU102, TU104, TU106). The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, on the other hand, relies on the second largest chip.

Die Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti Founders Edition im Detail

The technical relationship between GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and GeForce RTX 3070 also continues beyond the GPU: PCB and cooling system are usually identical. After all, Nvidia has opted for a visual distinction: The cooler, which was already very convincing on the GeForce RTX 3070, has a silver frame on the 3060 Ti.

The graphics card, which is again quite short at 25 cm, relies on the well-known cooling system with two axial fans with a diameter of 85 mm, which stop operating at low temperatures. The fans can also operate at medium three-digit speeds – turn them on if you usually don’t notice it at first.

Like all FEs of this generation, the GeForce RTX 3060 Founders Edition adheres to Nvidia’s reference specifications. The average turbo is 1,665, the maximum power consumption is 200 watts and can be increased to 220 watts via software. Monitors can be connected to three DisplayPort 1.4 interfaces with DSC or an HDMI 2.1 output.

The 12-pin adapter does not fit into the picture

Nvidia does not supply 150 watts via PCIe via 8-pin PCIe, but rather the currently exclusive 12-pin connector, which is again placed exactly in the middle of the card. The power cable or its adapter quickly becomes a visual annoyance.

Die Asus RTX 3060 Ti TUF Gaming OC im Detail

The Asus GeForce RTX 3060 Ti TUF OC is like the Asus GeForce RTX 3070 TUF OC (test) like pods, and that’s a good thing: This graphics card is also equipped with the new and surprisingly good TUF cooler, which is already has cut a fine figure on the previous TUF models of the Ampere generation.

Like the 3070, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti TUF OC uses the simpler TUF cooler with five heat pipes, while the TUF model of the GeForce RTX 3080 has six heat pipes and more cooling material. Three fans with a diameter of 85 mm provide the necessary fresh air on the 2.7-slot cooler. The graphics card works absolutely silently on the Windows desktop thanks to the non-operating fans.

Asus calls the GeForce RTX 3060 TUF OC a turbo clock of 1,755 MHz, 90 MHz more than Nvidia’s Founders Edition. The maximum power consumption is officially only an identical 200 watts, it can even be increased to a mere 216 watts. In this case, too, an 8-pin power connector is sufficient.

A second BIOS for more peace and quiet

The performance BIOS is activated on the Asus graphics card at the factory, alternatively there is a Quiet BIOS. The only difference is an adapted fan control, clock rates and power consumption remain unchanged. Monitors can be controlled via three DisplayPort and two HDMI.

Die MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X im Detail

With the same design as on the GeForce RTX 3070 Gaming X, MSI is shooting at sparrows even more clearly with the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X, which is definitely positive for the end customer. The massive 2.7-slot cooler is used again, which MSI also uses on the GeForce RTX 3090 Gaming X and which ensures quiet operation there – at 380 watts, mind you. This means that the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X is of course as big and almost as heavy: 32.5 cm in length, 14 cm in width and almost 1.5 kg in weight must be accommodated in the case.

The three fans with a diameter of 90 mm stop on the Windows desktop. With the well-known cooler comes the usual RGB lighting. Although it is significantly larger than the TUF from Asus, it also lags behind in terms of quality. MSI only shows with the new Suprim series that it can be done much better.

Higher power target ex works

With the large cooler, MSI can also easily increase the power consumption, which is 240 watts (+40 watts) in the factory state on the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X and can be increased to 250 watts. Two 8-pin power connections are required for operation. MSI specifies the average boost at 1,830 MHz, which is 75 MHz higher than the TUF and 165 MHz higher than the Founders Edition. Monitors can be used via three DisplayPort 1.4 interfaces with DSC and an HDMI 2.1 output.

Technical key data in comparison

On the next page: Clock rates and benchmarks (FHD, WQHD, ray tracing and apps)