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Does a 3060 Beat a 2080 Ti? – A Comprehensive Comparison

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. In most modern games and applications, the RTX 2080 Ti generally outperforms the RTX 3060, especially at higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K. However, the RTX 3060 can sometimes close the gap or even slightly surpass the 2080 Ti in specific scenarios, particularly when leveraging its Resizable BAR (ReBAR) feature and in games that are optimized for newer architectures.

Deep Dive: RTX 3060 vs. RTX 2080 Ti

While the RTX 3060 is a newer generation card (Ampere architecture) and boasts features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and ray tracing, the RTX 2080 Ti holds a significant advantage in terms of raw processing power. This advantage stems from its higher core count, wider memory bus, and greater memory bandwidth. Let’s break down the key specifications:

RTX 2080 Ti: Typically features 4352 CUDA cores, 11GB of GDDR6 memory, and a 352-bit memory bus. It was the flagship card of the Turing generation.
RTX 3060: Comes equipped with 3584 CUDA cores, 12GB of GDDR6 memory, and a 192-bit memory bus. While it has more VRAM, its narrower bus limits its memory bandwidth.

Performance in Games

In the real world, these specifications translate into noticeable performance differences in games. Here’s a general overview:

1080p Gaming: The RTX 2080 Ti typically offers a noticeable performance lead. The 3060 is still capable of excellent performance at this resolution, but the 2080 Ti delivers higher frame rates in most titles.
1440p Gaming: The performance gap widens. The 2080 Ti’s stronger processing power and memory bandwidth become more critical at this higher resolution.
4K Gaming: The RTX 2080 Ti solidifies its lead. While both cards can handle 4K gaming, the 2080 Ti provides a smoother and more consistent experience, especially in graphically demanding games.

Ray Tracing and DLSS

The RTX 3060 benefits from Nvidia’s second-generation ray tracing cores and third-generation Tensor cores, which are used for DLSS. DLSS can significantly boost frame rates in games that support it, sometimes allowing the 3060 to approach or even surpass the 2080 Ti’s performance in those specific titles, especially at 1440p. However, without DLSS, the 2080 Ti generally maintains a performance advantage in ray-traced games due to its greater raw power.

The Resizable BAR (ReBAR) Factor

Resizable BAR is a PCIe feature that allows the CPU to access the entire GPU memory at once, potentially improving performance. The RTX 3060 was one of the first cards to widely support this feature. When ReBAR is enabled, the RTX 3060 can see performance gains in certain games, sometimes closing the gap with the 2080 Ti. However, the impact of ReBAR varies significantly from game to game and system to system.

Price and Availability

Initially, the RTX 3060 was intended to be a more affordable option compared to the RTX 2080 Ti. However, due to market conditions and supply chain issues, prices have fluctuated significantly. The RTX 2080 Ti, while no longer in production, can be found on the used market. The cost and availability of both cards heavily influence their overall value proposition.

Conclusion

While the RTX 3060 offers modern features like DLSS and Resizable BAR and can sometimes trade blows with the RTX 2080 Ti in specific scenarios, the RTX 2080 Ti generally offers superior raw performance, especially at higher resolutions. The 3060 is a solid card with a good price/performance if purchased at MSRP, but does not outperform the 2080 TI in most cases. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and the games you play.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional insights into the RTX 3060 vs. RTX 2080 Ti debate:

Which card is better for 1080p gaming, the RTX 3060 or the RTX 2080 Ti? The RTX 2080 Ti generally provides higher frame rates at 1080p due to its superior raw power, although both cards are more than capable at this resolution.
How does the RTX 3060’s DLSS compare to the RTX 2080 Ti’s performance in games? In games that support DLSS, the RTX 3060 can often close the performance gap with the 2080 Ti and sometimes even surpass it, depending on the DLSS quality setting and the specific game.
Does Resizable BAR make a significant difference for the RTX 3060? Resizable BAR can provide a noticeable performance boost in some games, but the impact varies. It generally helps the RTX 3060 close the gap with the 2080 Ti.
Which card is better for ray tracing, the RTX 3060 or the RTX 2080 Ti? While the RTX 3060 has newer ray tracing cores, the RTX 2080 Ti’s greater raw power often allows it to deliver better performance in ray-traced games, especially without DLSS.
Is the RTX 3060’s 12GB of VRAM better than the RTX 2080 Ti’s 11GB? While more VRAM can be beneficial, the 2080 Ti’s wider memory bus and higher memory bandwidth generally offset the VRAM difference, leading to better overall performance at higher resolutions.
What is the power consumption difference between the RTX 3060 and the RTX 2080 Ti? The RTX 3060 typically consumes less power than the RTX 2080 Ti, making it a more energy-efficient option.
Which card is better for professional workloads, such as video editing or 3D rendering? The RTX 2080 Ti generally performs better in professional workloads due to its higher core count and memory bandwidth, particularly in tasks that are not optimized for newer architectures.
Can the RTX 3060 handle 4K gaming? Yes, the RTX 3060 can handle 4K gaming, but you may need to lower settings in some demanding titles to achieve acceptable frame rates.
What are the main advantages of the RTX 3060 over the RTX 2080 Ti? The main advantages of the RTX 3060 are its support for DLSS and Resizable BAR, its potentially lower price (depending on market conditions), and its lower power consumption.
Is it worth upgrading from an RTX 2080 Ti to an RTX 3060? In most cases, upgrading from an RTX 2080 Ti to an RTX 3060 is not recommended, as the 2080 Ti generally offers superior performance. An upgrade to a higher-end card like an RTX 3070 or higher would be more worthwhile.
How does the resale value of the RTX 2080 Ti compare to the RTX 3060? The resale value of both cards fluctuates depending on market conditions. Generally, the RTX 2080 Ti might retain slightly higher value due to its higher performance.
Which card is more future-proof, the RTX 3060 or the RTX 2080 Ti? While the RTX 3060 has newer features, the RTX 2080 Ti’s superior performance might allow it to remain relevant for longer in demanding games, particularly at higher resolutions. It is difficult to predict accurately which will last longer.
What CPU should I pair with the RTX 3060 and the RTX 2080 Ti to avoid bottlenecking? For the RTX 3060, a modern mid-range CPU like an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or an Intel Core i5-12400 would be a good match. For the RTX 2080 Ti, a higher-end CPU like an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or an Intel Core i7-12700K would be recommended to minimize bottlenecks.
What is the best scenario in which the RTX 3060 will beat the RTX 2080 Ti? The RTX 3060 has the greatest chance of surpassing the RTX 2080 Ti in games that are well optimized for DLSS and ReBAR, especially at 1440p resolution.
Does the RTX 3060 have any advantages other than performance? Yes. It may have better driver support and availability of spare parts in the long term because it is a newer generation card that is still in production.

Does a 3060 beat a 2080ti?