As we speak we’re taking our first have a look at the GeForce RTX 4060, Nvidia’s newest GPU. Priced at $300, Nvidia claims that it’s 20% quicker than the RTX 3060, regardless of having an MSRP that’s $30 decrease. Nvidia is assured this places a successful product of their palms, however is that really the case?
Let’s rapidly delve into the specs. The RTX 4060 is not a cut-down model of the Ti mannequin; it doesn’t make the most of the identical silicon. As a substitute, Nvidia employs the smaller AD107 silicon, which measures simply 158.7mm2. This makes it 21% smaller than the die utilized by the RTX 3050, but 20% bigger than the GP108 die utilized by the much less spectacular GTX 1050 collection. Earlier dies used older and bigger manufacturing processes, so the AD107, regardless of being diminutive, doubtless is not that pricey to supply.
The difficulty with AD107 is that it shares all the issues AD106 – utilized by the Ti mannequin – has, besides they’re exacerbated. The core configuration has been scaled down: there are 29% fewer cores and texture mapping items, albeit with the identical 48 ROPs. The cores are clocked 3% decrease; although it is a negligible distinction, the less cores imply the L2 cache capability has been decreased by 25%.
Nvidia claims that the bigger L2 cache of their Ada Lovelace technology would assist compensate for the a lot narrower reminiscence bus. Whereas it’d support to some extent, it falls in need of doing sufficient, leading to merchandise such because the RTX 4060 Ti battling mid-tier resolutions, like 1440p.
| GeForce RTX 4060 Ti | GeForce RTX 4060 | GeForce RTX 3060 | |
| Worth MSRP $US | $400 | $300 | $330 |
| Launch Date | Might 24, 2023 | June 29, 2023 | February 25, 2021 |
| Course of | TSMC 4N | Samsung 8LPP | |
| Transistors (Billion) | 22.9 | 18.9 | 13.25 |
| Die Dimension | 187.8 mm2 | 158.7 mm2 | 276 mm2 |
| Core Config | 4352 / 136 / 48 | 3072 / 96/48 | 3584 / 112/48 |
| Core Clock | 2310 / 2540 MHz | 1830 / 2460 MHz | 1320 / 1777 MHz |
| L2 Cache | 32 MB | 24 MB | 3 MB |
| PCle Bus Interface | PCle 4.0 x8 | PCle 4.0×16 | |
| Reminiscence Capability | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
| Reminiscence Reminiscence Kind | GDDR6 | ||
| Reminiscence Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit | |
| Reminiscence Bandwidth | 288 GB/s | 272 GB/s | 360 GB/s |
| Energy | 160 watts | 115 watts | 170 watts |
The RTX 4060, with its 128-bit huge reminiscence bus, gives a reminiscence bandwidth of simply 272 GB/s for accessing the 8GB GDDR6 reminiscence buffer. On paper, its reminiscence subsystem seems lackluster when in comparison with the two-and-a-half-year-old RTX 3060. The reminiscence capability has been decreased by 4GB – a 33% discount. The bus width has been decreased by 33%, which ends up in a 24% drop in reminiscence bandwidth. Sure, it possesses 8x extra L2 cache, however that has restricted advantages, as we’re about to see.
For testing, we used the Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, paired with the Gigabyte X670E Aorus Grasp and 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30 reminiscence. We performed exams at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions, however we’ll deal with the 1080p and 1440p knowledge for this assessment as they’re extra sensible use instances for this 8GB GPU. Now, let’s dive deeper…
Benchmarks
Beginning with our favourite, Fortnite, we discover that the RTX 4060 delivers commendable efficiency with a median of 108 fps at 1080p, equal to 6700 XT-like efficiency. It outperforms the RX 7600 by 20%, which is noteworthy, and it is 21% quicker than the RTX 3060. Nevertheless, it nonetheless lags 12% behind the RTX 3060 Ti, which stays probably the most important earlier technology Nvidia GPU to observe.
At 1440p, the outcomes are much less spectacular; the RTX 4060 was solely 13% quicker than the 7600 and 11% quicker than the RTX 3060. This was a major 20% slower than the RTX 3060 Ti.
Subsequent up, we’ve got Resident Evil 4, the place the outcomes are considerably much less spectacular. At 1080p, the RTX 4060 is 23% quicker than the RX 7600, however what’s regarding is the minimal 5% benefit over the 6650 XT, solely matching the earlier RTX 3060.
Transferring on to 1440p, the state of affairs deteriorates additional; the RTX 4060 is now solely 8% quicker than the RX 7600, averaging 70 fps. That is akin to 6650 XT-like efficiency, making it 10% slower than the previous RTX 3060. It is an embarrassing outcome for Nvidia.
Transitioning to A Plague Story: Requiem, the outcomes are abysmal. Firstly, the RTX 4060 is discovered to be 15% slower than the RX 7600 at 1080p, with a median of solely 66 fps. It was 6% quicker than the RTX 3060, so not less than on this occasion, it outperformed the GPU it is supposed to switch, if solely marginally.
At 1440p, a decision one would doubtless goal with a model new $300 GPU, the RTX 4060 falls behind. It is 17% slower than the RX 7600 and an enormous 27% slower than the 3060 Ti. Extra embarrassing is the meager 2% enhance over the RTX 3060.
In F1 22, the competitors between the RTX 4060 and RX 7600 is fierce. This sport permits for ray tracing with the ultra-high preset. Regardless of this, the RTX 4060 could not outperform the 7600, nevertheless it was 24% quicker than the RTX 3060. Nevertheless, it was nonetheless 15% slower than the 3060 Ti.
At 1440p, the RX 7600 and RTX 4060 are evenly matched. As soon as once more, the brand new GeForce GPU was 24% quicker than the RTX 3060 however was 16% slower than the 3060 Ti.
In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p, the RTX 4060 falls in need of the 7600 by a 5% margin, averaging 82 fps. It is solely 12% quicker than the RTX 3060, and it lags 14% behind the 3060 Ti.
At 1440p, the RX 7600 takes a major lead, providing 15% extra efficiency than the RTX 4060. The brand new GeForce GPU does not present a lot enchancment over the previous RTX 3060, with a mere 9%
lead.
In Dying Gentle 2 at 1080p, the RTX 4060 does handle to edge out the 7600, although solely by a 7% margin. Nevertheless, this did make it 24% quicker than the RTX 3060, representing a pleasing efficiency enchancment and the most effective outcome we have seen to this point.
At 1440p, the RTX 4060 holds its floor. Whereas the benefit over the RTX 3060 is decreased, it is nonetheless 17% quicker. That stated, it is solely 6% quicker than the RX 7600, making this a much less spectacular comparability for the brand new RTX 4060.
In Watch Canine: Legion, the 4060 falls behind the RX 7600 by just a few frames at 1080p. Nevertheless, it was 22% quicker than the RTX 3060 and solely 4% slower than the 3060 Ti, marking a beneficial final result in comparison with the earlier technology GeForce GPUs, however disappointing when in comparison with the RX 7600.
Ramping up the decision to 1440p sees the 7600 and 4060 evenly matched. The general result’s passable, however a 6% lead over the cheaper 6650 XT is perhaps a tough promote.
In Forza Horizon 5, the RTX 4060 outperforms the RX 7600 by a mere 6% and the 6650 XT by solely 4%. So, whereas it does not fairly measure as much as the Radeon competitors, it performs comparatively effectively in comparison with the GeForce 30 collection, being simply 5% slower than the 3060 Ti.
At 1440p, the RTX 4060 and RX 7600 are neck and neck, providing efficiency paying homage to the 6600 XT/6650 XT. That is considerably underwhelming.
The RTX 4060 marginally edges out the 7600 in Warhammer III, reaching 4% quicker efficiency, which is basically equivalent. Nevertheless, it’s 16% quicker than the RTX 3060, although we suspect that will not be of nice significance to many.
At 1440p, the 4060 is merely 8% quicker than the 7600. Contemplating it prices 11% extra, and the efficiency of the 7600 was already lackluster, this is not a powerful displaying. It is solely 12% quicker than the earlier technology RTX 3060, which did not impress a lot both.
The RTX 4060 manages to placed on a good present in Spider-Man Remastered, reaching 149 fps at 1080p. This makes it 21% quicker than each the RX 7600 and RTX 3060, although it is nonetheless 6% slower than the 3060 Ti.
Once we crank up the decision to 1440p, the 4060’s efficiency slows significantly. Nevertheless, it stays 11% quicker than the RX 7600, which is the break-even level contemplating its worth. It’s also 17% quicker than the RTX 3060 and 11% slower than the 3060 Ti.
In Hogwarts Legacy, the RTX 4060 is considerably disappointing, managing solely a median of 63 fps at 1080p. This represents an inconsequential 3% enchancment over the older RTX 3060. The 4060 matches the efficiency of the 6650 XT and 7600, however lags a substantial 23% behind the 3060 Ti.
At 1440p, the state of affairs worsens, with the RTX 4060 trailing the RX 7600 by an 8% margin and the 3060 Ti by a substantial 27% margin. Much more disappointing is the truth that it is simply 4% quicker than the RTX 3060, with barely worse 1% lows.
Fortuitously, the ends in Halo Infinite at 1080p are extra promising. Right here, the RTX 4060 matches the efficiency of the 6700 XT and 3060 Ti, averaging 93 fps, making it 15% quicker than the 7600 and 21% quicker than the RTX 3060.
Nevertheless, upon rising the decision to 1440p, the RTX 4060 falters and is definitely slower than the RX 7600, although it stays 15% quicker than the RTX 3060.
The Final of Us Half I remains to be a demanding sport for 8GB GPUs utilizing ultra-quality settings. Though it’s manageable at 1080p, it compromises the 1% low efficiency. The RTX 4060 performs in addition to different 8GB GPUs right here, however the RTX 3060 gives a greater expertise. We’d suggest dialing the standard preset again to excessive, however the RTX 3060 can nonetheless handle max texture settings.
If you happen to intention to push the boundaries of the RTX 4060 and all 8GB GPUs, merely set the decision to 1440p and ignore upscaling. The RTX 3060 stays playable right here, though the 40 fps common will not be supreme for all players.
The second final sport examined is Name of Responsibility: Fashionable Warfare II. The RTX 4060’s efficiency is subpar right here, nevertheless it reveals good enchancment over previous-generation
GeForce fashions just like the RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti. In comparison with the 6650 XT and, significantly, the 7600, the 4060 seems weak.
At 1440p, the RX 7600 is 17% quicker than the RTX 4060, with the GeForce GPU solely matching the efficiency of the older 6600 XT.
Lastly, in Hitman 3, the RTX 4060 can solely match the 7600 at 1080p, averaging 109 fps. This makes it 13% slower than the 3060 Ti and simply 15% quicker than the RTX 3060.
At 1440p, the 4060 lags 4% behind the RX 7600, making the efficiency just about equivalent. This ends in a slight 11% enhance over the older RTX 3060.
Energy Consumption
The true benefit the GeForce RTX 4060 has over the Radeon RX 7600 is energy consumption, decreasing whole system utilization by as much as 15% in our testing.
It is definitely not worlds higher, nevertheless it’s a great enchancment and it is round a 20% discount when in comparison with the RTX 3060.
15 Recreation Common
Having a look on the 15 sport common at 1080p, the outcomes are considerably underwhelming. A median of simply 91 fps makes it a meager 3% quicker than the lackluster RX 7600, and a mere 15% quicker than the RTX 3060, which is not an thrilling generational leap after 2.5 years.
Maybe much more disappointing is that the RTX 3060 Ti nonetheless outperforms it by 12%. This efficiency is what we might anticipate from the RTX 4060 with a purpose to justify an asking worth of $300 with solely 8GB of VRAM.
Surprisingly, the outcomes turn into much more lackluster at 1440p. Based mostly on suggestions, slightly over half of our viewers would buy the $300 RTX 4060 for gaming at 1440p, a sentiment we discover very affordable.
But, at this decision, the RTX 4060 solely matches the RX 7600, equating each to the efficiency degree of the 6650 XT. The RTX 4060 additionally solely finally ends up being 9% quicker than the 3060 at 1440p, a subpar outcome.
Price Per Body: MSRP
To begin with, here is a have a look at value per body based mostly on MSRP knowledge. The RTX 4060 seems to be acceptable, although not spectacular. It prices 13% extra per body in comparison with the Radeon RX 7600. Some players may justify this premium by the improved energy effectivity and DLSS 3 body technology, primarily those that play single-player video games and are not delicate to enter latency.
Nevertheless, when in comparison with the RTX 3060 Ti, the price per body solely reduces by 7%, a modest generational enchancment at greatest. Nevertheless, that is based mostly on MSRP’s. Let’s now step into real-world pricing.
Price Per Body: Newegg
And right here we come to the rationale why the RTX 4060 won’t be a worthwhile funding. At a price of $4.91 per body based mostly on our assessment knowledge, the RTX 4060 is dearer than present RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti inventory. Due to this fact, you can both buy the quicker 3060 Ti, which was 21% quicker in our testing at 1440p, or the marginally slower RTX 3060 with extra VRAM for much less.
On a tighter finances, buying a 6600 XT for round $230 would supply a 15% discount when it comes to value per body whereas nonetheless limiting you to the identical 8GB body buffer. Nevertheless, ideally, when you have been looking for this degree of efficiency, you need to have bought the 6600 XT or 6650 XT a 12 months in the past to get pleasure from an extra 12 months of your funding. That is undoubtedly extra helpful than spending extra for just about the identical efficiency with the RTX 4060, a 12 months later.
Nvidia “Energy Numbers”
After analyzing the price per body, we got here throughout this advertising and marketing gold from Nvidia. We’ll instantly quote them right here “At latest vitality costs, the typical gamer enjoying 10-20 hours every week may save a major quantity, whereas having a vastly superior gaming expertise. In Germany, for instance, a gamer enjoying 20 hours every week may save as much as $132 in vitality prices over the course of 4 years, when upgrading from an RTX 3060 to an RTX 4060.”
They should be actually struggling to promote graphics playing cards in the intervening time. They’re suggesting that European RTX 3060 house owners who improve to the 4060, gaining 15% efficiency at 1080p or 9% at 1440p, may save round $100 on their energy invoice over the following 4 years, assuming they sport not less than 20 hours per week, for the following 208 weeks. This means spending $300 to save lots of $100. We’re desperate to see how the RTX 3060 and 4060 evaluate in 2 years time, not to mention 4, given this “funding alternative” introduced by Nvidia.
Temps and Clocks
Earlier than wrapping issues up, we wish to rapidly have a look at the working conduct of the MSI RTX 4060 Ventus 2x graphics card we used for testing. After an hour of gaming in an enclosed case with a room temperature of 21°C, the Ventus 2x noticed the core sizzling spot peak at 85°C at a fan velocity of 1800 RPM.
This isn’t a unprecedented outcome, nevertheless it appears the cardboard is kind of small and cheaply made, given the restricted wriggle room on their MSRP fashions. The VRM elements are left uncovered on the PCB, however the energy levels solely reached a most of 71°C, so this design alternative appears to be non-problematic.
What We Realized
This case feels all too acquainted: one other newly launched current-generation GPU that merely is not value buying on the launch worth. The GeForce RTX 4060 gives no higher worth than the Radeon RX 7600, and relying on the worth you place on applied sciences akin to Body Era, this new GeForce GPU may even be thought-about worse.
The RTX 4060 is not as egregiously poor because the 4060 Ti, nevertheless it’s nonetheless disappointing, and it is definitely not value shopping for at $300. The restricted 8GB VRAM buffer is extra forgivable at this worth, nevertheless it’s a bitter tablet to swallow on condition that the RTX 3060 provided 12 GB.
One would assume that by now, 12GB could be a minimal at this worth level, with 8GB solely reserved for probably the most entry-level elements. But, this is not what AMD and Nvidia appear to be aiming for. Until customers make a stand, we can’t see giant reminiscence buffers on next-generation GPUs both. So, it is essential to let Nvidia know you will not settle for this.
As disappointing because the 8GB buffer is, the primary difficulty with the brand new 4060 collection is the 128-bit huge reminiscence bus. Nvidia tried to confuse players with the discharge of the 4060 Ti by claiming that the upgraded L2 cache capability of the Ada Lovelace expertise compensated for the narrower reminiscence bus. In addition they prompt it might tackle VRAM considerations. Neither declare is completely true.
The bigger L2 cache might assist with bandwidth, nevertheless it does not come near fixing the problems launched when considerably lowering reminiscence bandwidth, as we have seen repeatedly at 1440p. Moreover, it does not tackle reminiscence capability in any respect. It is puzzling why anybody thought 24-32MB of L2 may someway compensate for gigabytes of lacking VRAM. It merely does not work that means.
There will definitely be eventualities the place the RTX 3060 offers superior picture high quality and performs higher than the RTX 4060, significantly in future video games.
On that notice, the RTX 4060’s ray tracing help is just about nugatory. It lacks each the required VRAM capability to allow RT results and adequate GPU energy. The RTX 3060 is not highly effective sufficient to leverage RT both, however it will possibly make the most of bigger texture packs.
Basically, when you’ve got sufficient VRAM and adequate bandwidth to entry it effectively, parts like textures have minimal affect on fps efficiency. Due to this fact, the RTX 3060 will ship a superior visible expertise for future video games. By enabling the medium-quality preset and maximizing textures, you may discover a major visible improve with no actual hit to efficiency. That is one thing we plan to discover and show within the close to future, so keep tuned for that.
The RTX 4060 aligns extra with what we historically consider as a GTX 1650 or GTX 1050 Ti-class product – a $100-$150 GPU, not a $300 one. One look on the MSI Ventus 2x MSRP mannequin we have been despatched is sufficient to conclude that this is not sometimes what we contemplate a $300 graphics card.
The complete cooler, fan shroud, followers, and heatsink weigh simply 350 grams. The small backplate is comprised of plastic, and the PCB has fewer elements than a high-end fan controller. It is a slap within the face to players, however this is not MSI’s fault; it would doubtless be the usual for MSRP RTX 4060’s.
So, our recommendation is obvious: do not buy the GeForce RTX 4060 at its present asking worth. We consider the Radeon RX 7600 ought to value $230, making the RTX 4060 an ideal purchase at round $250. Till then, contemplate previous-generation choices or used graphics playing cards for higher worth and efficiency.
Purchasing Shortcuts:
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 on Amazon
- AMD Radeon RX 7600 on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 on Amazon
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 on Amazon
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D on Amazon