Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 evaluation

Hoping to shake the despondent emotions that latest graphics playing cards have instilled in me, I’ve been quietly hoping that writing my Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 evaluation would elevate my spirits. Sadly, this GeForce GPU isn’t the proper pixel pusher that mainstream avid gamers deserve, but it surely’s under no circumstances a write-off.

In distinction to the launch of the RTX 4060 Ti, the RTX 4060 arrives on the scene with the AMD Radeon RX 7600 snapping at its heels for the title of greatest graphics card for round $300. Evaluating the 2, there’s a winner in my eyes, however the spot on the high of the rostrum isn’t totally clear-cut.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 specs

Diving into the nitty-gritty of the RTX 4060 specs reveals some notable variations versus the RTX 4060 Ti, in addition to some unlucky similarities. It’s the primary Lovelace graphics card to make use of the AD107 GPU die, the smallest and least highly effective of the bunch (an outline that befits the pixel pusher as an entire too.)

Listed below are the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 specs:

The RTX 4060 has simply shy of 30% fewer CUDA and Tensor cores in comparison with the RTX 4060 Ti, however retains 95% of RT cores, with a shortfall of two. As anticipated, each base and enhance clock speeds are additionally noticeably decrease, too. I hoped that we’d see a great worth proposition from Nvidia right here, however I’d sooner describe it as acceptable contemplating the GPU’s value of $299 / £289.

The identical configuration of a 128-bit reminiscence bus and 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM from the RTX 4060 Ti additionally make a reappearance on the RTX 4060, albeit with 8MB much less L2 cache to assist enhance bandwidth. This cocktail of constraints negatively impacts efficiency at greater resolutions and may even depart some choices off the desk at 1080p, which I’ll talk about intimately in a while within the evaluation.

The RTX 4060 is on the very least environment friendly, pulling with a TGP of 115W, which means you’ll solely want a single 8-pin PCIe energy connector on most fashions. Nvidia has opted to not give this graphics card the Founders Version therapy, so there’s no want to stress about 12VHPWR right here.

I’m utilizing the MSI Ventus 2X OC mannequin for our evaluation, which boasts a 30MHz overclock and is among the few RTX 4060 fashions accessible at MSRP/RRP. Whereas I haven’t had an opportunity to check the dearer fashions that pack bigger coolers and better clock speeds, I can confidently say you’re higher off choosing one thing like this MSI card if worth is your major concern.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 benchmarks

For my Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 benchmarks, I’ve collected body charge information for native 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions. I additionally ran DLSS Body Era exams individually. Every benchmark was run thrice to provide a mean consequence, utilizing the sport’s highest high quality preset, together with any further ray tracing choices.

Listed below are the specs of my take a look at system:

• GPU: MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ventus 2X OC#
• Driver: GeForce Sport Prepared model 536.40
• OS: Home windows 11 Professional 22H2 (22621.1928)
• Motherboard: Asus TUF Gaming X670E-Plus (BIOS model 1413)
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6,000MHz
• SSD: WD_Black SN850X
• PSU: Corsair RMx SHIFT Sequence 1000W

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 efficiency

Analyzing my benchmark information to explain Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 efficiency looks like déjà vu, because the outcomes principally mirror the RTX 4060 Ti albeit with usually decrease body charges throughout the board. Suffice it to say, this graphics card is greatest fitted to 1080p gameplay with some caveats whereas taking part in video games at resolutions like 1440p or 4K is both doable at a push or totally unachievable.

At 1080p, the RTX 4060 feels expectedly performant, managing to hit common body charges of 60fps or greater within the majority of our testing suite. It even manages to sail north of 30fps when put up towards Cyberpunk 2077’s RT Extremely preset, with out the help of DLSS.

For all these positives, nevertheless, it reveals the identical stuttering points I witnessed in my RTX 4060 Ti testing when taking part in the likes of A Plague Story: Requiem. The 8GB of VRAM and 128-bit reminiscence bus are simply saturated with each ray tracing bell and whistle turned on, even at 1080p, which means you’ll must handle your texture high quality settings fastidiously in some cases to keep away from poor efficiency.

Enjoying video games at 1440p utilizing the RTX 4060 is doable, however I usually wouldn’t advocate it, save for some esports video games like League of Legends or Fortnite. Except for uncooked efficiency naturally being decrease than 1080p, you’re extra more likely to encounter the bandwidth points I’ve highlighted with A Plague Story: Requiem.

Relating to 4K, the RTX 4060 merely isn’t outfitted for gaming at this decision. To be clear, this isn’t one thing I count on from a 60-class card to start with, and we’re solely speaking about native rendering right here.

Turning our consideration to the RTX 4060’s AI options, DLSS 3, the software program suite of Tremendous Decision and Body Era, helps the pixel pusher punch above its weight. The upscaling expertise is effectively documented at this level, so I’d as an alternative prefer to deal with the latter for a second. At appropriate resolutions, DLSS Body Era might help double each minimal and common body charges, as was the case in our testing with F1 22. Nonetheless, it does have its limits, with diminishing returns at 1440p, and worse efficiency at 4K.

In a vacuum, the RTX 4060 performs effectively sufficient, however issues change into extra difficult when the RX 7600 enters the image. The Nvidia GPU undoubtedly has the sting in ray-traced situations like Cyberpunk and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but it surely falls behind the AMD pixel pusher in rasterized workloads. In fact, the Radeon graphics card doesn’t have a DLSS Body Era equal to shut the hole, however that expertise isn’t accessible in each recreation.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 value

At $299 / £289, the RTX 4060 value looks like a tough promote. Sure, it’s cheaper than its predecessor, the RTX 3060, was at launch, however you’re more likely to discover it less expensive now or for promotional affords to emerge very quickly. Then there’s current-generation competitors to contemplate, just like the RX 7600 and Intel Arc A750 and A770.

In some methods, the RTX 3060 looks like a greater purchase too, with 12GB of VRAM and a wider reminiscence bus, which means it could possibly extra simply deal with 1440p situations. It’ll carry out just a little worse than the 4060, and also you’ll forgo DLSS Body Era help, so it is dependent upon how necessary that’s for you. For me, the function is sweet to have however isn’t a dealbreaker proper now.

In case you’re not as a lot of a ray-tracing zealot as I’m, then AMD will be the more sensible choice. Wanting again at my AMD Radeon RX 7600 exams, the cardboard’s rasterized body charges in Whole Warfare: Warhammer 3 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands put each the RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti in its rearview mirror – shockingly so. Plus, it’s $30 cheaper out the gate with out even taking latest value drops into consideration.

I’m but to spend time with the Arc A750, however my experiences with the A770 recommend they’re a great match for these which can be solely interested by taking part in the most recent PC video games and infrequently dabble with ray tracing. Even then, there are nonetheless compatibility points that workforce blue must work out earlier than I can firmly advocate them, leaving the RTX 4060 wanting just like the safer wager.

If Nvidia shaved $50 off right here and even matched the RX 7600, I’d be rather a lot rosier about its value. At its marketed value level, nevertheless, I’d advocate ready for a value drop earlier than selecting one up. Belief me, you gained’t want to attend lengthy if earlier releases are any indication.

Is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 price it?

If I had been shopping for a current-generation graphics card at the moment for underneath $300, I’d choose the RTX 4060. That is talking as somebody that prefers to prioritize ray tracing and different graphical niceties at the price of greater efficiency, and I perceive I’m one thing of a minority (for now).

Nvidia nonetheless has the sting in terms of ray tracing, and DLSS Body Era helps preserve that lead and shut the hole towards AMD in rasterized video games (in the event that they help it). Normally, it’s a good all-around performer, but it surely’s under no circumstances a monumental leap in comparison with its predecessor.

The RTX 4060’s 8GB of VRAM is extra forgivable right here than it was on the RTX 4060 Ti, however not by a lot. I actually hope that is the final era of graphics playing cards with a stack that begins with 8GB of VRAM, GeForce, or in any other case. It’s already inadequate for a few of at the moment’s PC video games and can proceed to battle within the years to come back if traits proceed as they’re.

Execs:

• Finest ray tracing efficiency for underneath $300
• Inexpensive DLSS Body Era help
• Strong all-around 1080p body charges

Cons:

• Can’t sustain with AMD rasterization efficiency
• Reminiscence bandwidth points could cause stuttering
• 8GB of VRAM leaves some settings off the desk

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 options

If the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 doesn’t fit your wants, there are different pixel pushers on the market that is perhaps good for you.

AMD Radeon RX 7600

In case you prioritize efficiency above all, ray tracing be damned, then think about choosing workforce purple’s budget-oriented GPU. Take a look at our full AMD Radeon RX 7600 evaluation to be taught extra.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

In case you’ve received some additional money to spend and fancy a lift to efficiency, then you definitely’re in luck. Peruse our Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti evaluation for an in-depth take a look at its efficiency.

In case you’re after a broader take a look at the GPU house, try our information to the greatest graphics playing cards you should purchase at the moment.