Is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Good? A Deep Dive

The short answer is: it depends on your needs and expectations. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is a decent card that offers a solid 1080p gaming experience and acceptable 1440p performance in many titles. It boasts DLSS 3 and Frame Generation capabilities, which can significantly boost frame rates in supported games. However, its limited 8GB of VRAM and its price point relative to older, more powerful cards, create a nuanced picture. The RTX 4060 is good, but perhaps not great, and certainly not revolutionary.

Performance Analysis: Where Does the RTX 4060 Shine?

1080p Gaming Prowess

The RTX 4060 is undeniably comfortable at 1080p. In most modern games, you can expect to achieve high to ultra settings with consistent frame rates exceeding 60fps. Even demanding titles run smoothly with some tweaking. This makes it a great choice for gamers still rocking a 1080p monitor looking for a significant upgrade from older generation cards.

1440p Gaming: A More Mixed Bag

At 1440p, the RTX 4060’s performance becomes more variable. While many games are still playable at high settings, you might need to dial back some graphical options or leverage DLSS to maintain smooth frame rates, particularly in graphically intensive titles. The 8GB of VRAM can become a limiting factor at this resolution, especially in games with high-resolution textures.

DLSS 3 and Frame Generation: The Ace in the Hole

One of the RTX 4060’s biggest strengths is its support for DLSS 3, including Frame Generation. This technology can dramatically increase frame rates by generating entirely new frames, effectively boosting performance by a significant margin. However, it’s crucial to remember that DLSS 3 is not universally supported and can sometimes introduce latency, which can be a drawback for competitive gaming. Still, the potential performance gains are undeniable.

Ray Tracing: Manage Your Expectations

The RTX 4060 can handle ray tracing, but you’ll likely need to enable DLSS to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles. Expect a performance hit when ray tracing is enabled, and adjust your expectations accordingly. It’s not a ray tracing powerhouse like its higher-end siblings, but it can provide a taste of ray-traced visuals.

Value Proposition: The Elephant in the Room

Price-to-Performance Considerations

The RTX 4060’s biggest challenge is its price-to-performance ratio. While it offers decent performance, the asking price puts it in direct competition with older, more powerful cards like the RTX 3060 Ti or even used RTX 3070 cards. These older cards often offer better raw performance without relying on DLSS 3, making them attractive alternatives for gamers who prioritize pure rasterization performance.

VRAM Limitations: A Growing Concern

The 8GB of VRAM is a potential bottleneck, especially for 1440p gaming and beyond. As games become more demanding, 8GB may not be sufficient to handle high-resolution textures and complex scenes, leading to performance degradation. This is a future-proofing concern that should be considered before making a purchase.

Power Efficiency: A Silver Lining

One area where the RTX 4060 shines is its power efficiency. It consumes significantly less power than older generation cards, making it a good choice for budget-conscious gamers or those with limited power supplies. This efficiency also translates to lower temperatures and quieter operation.

Alternatives: Exploring Your Options

AMD Radeon RX 7600: A Direct Competitor

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 is a direct competitor to the RTX 4060, offering similar performance at a comparable price point. The RX 7600 generally performs better in rasterization without DLSS, but lacks DLSS 3. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific gaming preferences and the games you play.

Used RTX 3060 Ti/3070: A Cost-Effective Alternative

The used market offers compelling alternatives like the RTX 3060 Ti and RTX 3070. These cards often provide better raw performance than the RTX 4060 at a similar or even lower price, but they lack DLSS 3. However, the performance difference can be significant enough to outweigh the benefits of DLSS 3 in many scenarios.

Conclusion: Is the RTX 4060 Worth Buying?

The RTX 4060 is a competent card for 1080p gaming and offers decent 1440p performance with the help of DLSS. Its power efficiency is excellent. However, its price-to-performance ratio is questionable, and its limited VRAM is a potential concern. If you prioritize power efficiency and DLSS 3 is a must-have, the RTX 4060 might be a good choice. Otherwise, exploring alternatives like the RX 7600 or used RTX 3060 Ti/3070 cards is highly recommended. In the end, “good” is subjective and depends on your priorities and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 FAQs about the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 to address common concerns and provide additional insights:

1. What is the MSRP of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060?

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is $299 USD. However, actual retail prices may vary depending on the manufacturer, features, and availability.

2. How much VRAM does the RTX 4060 have?

The RTX 4060 features 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. This amount can be limiting for some games at higher resolutions, particularly 1440p and beyond.

3. Does the RTX 4060 support DLSS 3 and Frame Generation?

Yes, the RTX 4060 supports DLSS 3, including Frame Generation. This technology can significantly boost frame rates in supported games by generating entirely new frames.

4. What is the typical power consumption of the RTX 4060?

The typical power consumption (TDP) of the RTX 4060 is around 115W. This makes it a very power-efficient card compared to older generations.

5. How does the RTX 4060 compare to the RTX 3060?

The RTX 4060 generally offers better performance than the RTX 3060, especially in games that support DLSS 3. However, the RTX 3060 has more VRAM (12GB), which can be an advantage in certain situations.

6. Can the RTX 4060 handle ray tracing?

Yes, the RTX 4060 can handle ray tracing, but you’ll likely need to enable DLSS to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles.

7. Is the RTX 4060 good for 1440p gaming?

The RTX 4060 can handle 1440p gaming in many titles, but you might need to dial back some graphical options or leverage DLSS to maintain smooth frame rates.

8. What are the main competitors of the RTX 4060?

The main competitors of the RTX 4060 are the AMD Radeon RX 7600 and older cards like the RTX 3060 Ti and RTX 3070 (especially in the used market).

9. What kind of performance can I expect in specific games?

Performance varies depending on the game. In general, you can expect to achieve 60+ fps at 1080p with high settings in most modern games. At 1440p, performance will be more variable, and DLSS may be required for optimal frame rates.

10. Is the RTX 4060 a good upgrade from older cards like the GTX 1060 or GTX 1660?

Yes, the RTX 4060 is a significant upgrade from older cards like the GTX 1060 or GTX 1660. You can expect a substantial increase in performance and the added benefits of DLSS and ray tracing.

11. Does the RTX 4060 support Resizable BAR (ReBAR)?

Yes, the RTX 4060 supports Resizable BAR (also known as Smart Access Memory on AMD platforms). This technology can improve performance by allowing the CPU to access the entire GPU memory at once.

12. Where can I buy the RTX 4060?

The RTX 4060 is available from various retailers, including online stores like Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy, as well as local computer stores. Prices and availability may vary.