Nvidia launched the Ada Lovelace RTX 4060 in an 8GB trim to replace the aging Ampere-based RTX 3060, which originally sold with 12GB of GDDR6. Nvidia has since also launched an 8GB version of the RTX 3060, even as it leverages AI tech to offer better value for money on a GPU that is otherwise quite similar to its predecessor when it comes to raw rasterization performance on offer.
The RTX 4060 is often considered a lackluster upgrade for many due to both its moniker and performance class going into 2024, even as it offers excellent value for the money at a sub-$300 price tag. But there are reasons to take a second look at what Nvidia's current-generation mid-range GPU is heading towards as it replaces its RTX 3000 series counterpart on shelves worldwide.
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NVIDIA graphics cards are major investments, but these GPUs will provide years of regret-free gaming goodness.
Should Gamers Upgrade To The RTX 4060?
Many users openly decry the relatively smaller performance jump the RTX 4060 received compared to other generations of GPU upgrades. Others criticize the downsized memory, which sees it offering only a single, 8GB version to gamers versus its predecessor, the RTX 3060, which offered 50% more VRAM with 12GB on offer when it launched in February 2021.
It also compares somewhat unfavorably at times to its competitor AMD's equivalent offerings. The lower-end RX 7600 8GB offers excellent value for money, clocking in at $250 for multiple SKUs versus the MSRP of $300 the RTX 4060 currently commands. At the same time, it also offers a slightly higher-clocked unit with twice the memory on offer in the shape of the RX 7600XT that trades just above the MSRP for the 4060, but offers 16GB of VRAM to balance out the higher price.
A better, significantly faster value proposition, however, comes from a powerful last-generation GPU, the RX 6700 XT that often trades for as low as $330 while offering more VRAM (12 GB vs 8GB), significantly more power under the hood, rivaling or exceeding the higher-end RTX 4060 TI from Nvidia in most gaming benchmarks with ease.
Is The RTX 4060 Worth It?
Nvidia's RTX 4060 happens to offer better performance than its current-generation AMD competition for the added $30. It has better Ray Tracing performance in addition to much better and consistent gameplay when targeting 1080P or 1440P resolutions thanks to DLSS3/3.5 being much more mature technology than AMD's competing FSR2/2.2 and upcoming FSR3 support in many titles.
In the same vein, DLSS 3/3.5 offers significant performance gains for the Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4000 series GPUs, and the RTX 4060 is no exception, while also leveraging Nvidia's newer Frame Generation tech to offer a more consistent and perceivably faster experience than its predecessor.
In addition to this, it also does offer a mild performance boost in rasterization compared to its predecessor, the RTX 3060, but also offers much more efficiency under the hood, making it currently, unless the RTX 3060 gets a large price cut, the best GPU buyers can pick at around the $300 mark at the time of writing. This is due to a mix of future-proofing concerns, much better DLSS 3/3.5 performance, and higher performance per watt, allowing it to be used in more builds than its predecessor.
The Best CPUs To Pair With The RTX 4060 TI For Gaming
The RTX 4060 TI has been released to mixed reception. But What CPUs should users aim to pair it with to maximize their gaming performance?
Finding The Right RTX 4060 SKU
The Nvidia RTX 4060 does, however, come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from compact single-fan SKUs to burgeoning tri-fan offerings that can be attributed to fan service for some models more than actual performance requirements. This does, however, raise the obvious question: which RTX 4060 model is the right one for users?
It comes down to a variety of factors that can otherwise best be described as a mix of the following:
- Price: While the RTX 4060 is already on thin ice when it comes to pricing, with it being opened up to criticism from multiple quarters due to an arguably more competitive RX 7600 GPU from AMD as well as users having no major reasons beyond DLSS3/3.5 performance to upgrade from an RTX 3060, it does offer upscaled SKUs that cost as much as 30% more than the MSRP of the Founders Edition.
- Clock Speeds: Higher clock speeds essentially mean more unlocked performance out of the box and for mid-range GPUs that edge closer to entry-level, every little bit counts. Finding a unit that has higher clock speeds out of the box isn't assuredly a guarantee of higher overall boost clocks (which often exceed the advertised numbers) but it does mean that the GPU is rated to run at advertised clocks as stated at the very least, which could help with performance expectations.
- Cooling Mechanism & Form Factor: While vapor chambers are by and large ignored by most manufacturers, some models do tend to move past the more common standard dual-fan design to offer a higher-end 'premium' tri fan offering of the RTX 4060 which runs slightly cooler. Others opt for a more nuanced approach by going for low-profile single fan solutions for the RTX 4060, making them ideal for smaller cases and HTPC builds.
- Aesthetics: Most AIB partners add plenty of design features to the GPU's exterior itself including RGB lighting, BIOS control switches, and in some higher-end models, even complete LCD units. While this isn't directly related to performance, it does happen to be a popular way for users to differentiate between brands while also aiming for a certain aesthetic for their gaming PCs.
The Best War Games's Picks for the Best Nvidia RTX 4060 GPUs
MSI GeForce RTX 4060 GAMING X 8G
Better Boost Clocks For Less
- Brand
- MSI
- Cooling Method
- Dual fan air cooling
- Interface
- PCI Express 4.0
- Memory
- 8GB GDDR6
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 GAMING X 8G is a well-designed GPU that offers excellent thermals and high boost clocks coupled with an attractive black shroud and RGB lighting.With Boost clock speeds of up to 2610 MHz using MSI Center on Windows as well as a relatively quiet operation in conjunction with price cuts in tow, it is an easy recommend in 2024.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Power
- 115W
- Boost Speed
- Base: 2595 MHz, MSI Center: 2610 MHz
- CUDA Cores
- 3072
- GPU Speed
- 1830 MHz
- Slot Size
- Dual Slot
- Offers a significantly higher boost clock than its competition
- Remains relatively cool compared to its higher-end competition
- Has subtle RGB lighting in play
- Requires MSI Center to unlock its higher boost clock state
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 GAMING X 8G offers a premium design, high boost clocks, and excellent thermals in a neat package as it retains a dual-slot, dual fan design even as it draws favorable parallels to higher-end tri-slot RTX 4060 units. Much of this is due to MSI going the extra mile on the cooling front for its Gaming X variant of the entry-level GPU, bringing most of the innovations that it normally reserves for its higher-end SKUs to the table.
This gives this card the benefits of both cooler operation and quiet operation that outperforms the majority of RTX 4060 editions from different vendors. It runs roughly 5-10 degrees cooler than its entry-level Ventus SKU and generates significantly lower noise when being pushed. The GPU comes with a rated 2595MHz boost clock that MSI can push up to 2610 with the MSI Center application out of the box.
The GPU automatically boosts to even higher clocks with ease thanks to its excellent thermals, allowing for decent boost clocks beyond its already relatively high offering for the price point it trades at. It also throws RGB lighting into the mix, despite seeing its price marked down significantly to $315 at multiple retailers, a move that brings it closer to the FE.
All in all, the MSI Gaming X is one of the best RTX 4060 SKUs money can buy in 2024 based on its value for money, performance, thermals and build quality being key factors that propel it ahead of its competition.
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX™ 4060 OC Edition 8GB
Compact, No-Frills Power
- Brand
- ASUS
- Cooling Method
- Dual Fan Air-Cooled
- GPU Speed
- 1830 MHz
- Interface
- PCI Express 4.0
- Memory
- 8GB GDDR6 128-Bit
The ASUS Dual RTX 4060 GPU offers a higher boost clock than many of its peers while offering a compact, 2.5-slot GPU that can easily fit in most cases. Powered by a single 8-pin connector with a thermal design power (TDP) of 115W, it offers more efficiency than its predecessor but has no RGB lighting whatsoever in a bid to match Nvidia's MSRP for the Founder's Edition.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Power
- 115W
- Boost Speed
- Boost: 2505 Mhz, OC: 2535 MHz
- CUDA Cores
- 3072
- Comes with a better overclock than the stock RTX 4060
- Offers a compact, powerful RTX 4060 option
- Uses a single 8-pin connector for power
- Lacks RGB lighting
- Is not the fastest-clocked RTX 4060 SKU
The ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC Edition 8GB is our budget pick for the best RTX 4060 GPU on offer currently. It retails at MSRP for the base price point set by Nvidia (presumably for the RTX 4060 Founders Edition), but offers a higher boost clock and better thermals than most of its competition while doing so with a very small footprint in terms of size. It is ideal for smaller cases, occupying just 8.9 inches in terms of length.
It does get beaten in terms of raw clocks versus faster SKUs including ASUS's own RTX 4060 Strix OC variant, but the price trade-off is more than fair, making this a better bargain. However, ASUS's dual RTX 4060 does not come with any RGB lighting whatsoever. This might make some gamers and system builders less enthusiastic about the GPU, which builds on its strengths as a compact, powerful but no-frills performer, making it an easy buy, especially at MSRP for an RTX 4060.
At just a small $5 premium over the MSRP for the Founder's Edition, the ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC is perhaps the most balanced RTX 4060 on the market. It offers a decent overclock without the price increase that some of its peers offer. At the same time, its design allows it to fit in a variety of SFF builds and smaller cases even as it offers an unassuming, but very functional design in 2024.
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 AERO OC 8G
Best Value Tri-Fan RTX 4060
- Brand
- Gigabyte
- Cooling Method
- Tri-Fan Air Cooled
- GPU Speed
- 1830 MHz
- Interface
- PCI Express 4.0
- Memory
- 8GB GDDR6
The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 AERO OC 8G is the best-looking white-themed RTX 4060 SKU currently available on the market, offering decent boost clocks versus the stock option, a large, tri-fan air cooler that keeps temperatures low, and a stylish metal backplate design with 'screen cooling' that allows it to dissipate heat better. All of this is coupled with a dual-BIOS, dual-HDMI offering that gets the job done with style.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Power
- 115W
- Boost Speed
- 2550 MHz
- CUDA Cores
- 3072
- Slot Size
- Dual-Slot
- Very aesthetically pleasing
- Decent boost clocks on offer
- Runs extremely cool and quiet
- Offers Dual Bios
- Offers Dual HDMI ports
- Slightly more expensive than most entry-level RTX 4060 SKUs
- Significantly larger than some of its competition
The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 AERO OC 8G is an excellent RTX 4060 offering in its own right. It does, however, also contend for the best-looking RTX 4060 SKU on the market, winning that particular category for white RTX 4060 options thanks to its decent RGB lighting, excellent fan design, and a premium metal backplate, making it look like a considerably more expensive GPU than just a mid-range RTX 4060.
It offers great thermals, decent boost clocks, and a dual BIOS to ensure a user's needs for performance or silent operation are met simultaneously, while offering dual HDMI ports to make connectivity easier with certain configurations of display tech. With a large tri-fan cooler on offer in addition to other tweaks to keep temperatures low, the AERO OC does clock in at $25 more than most of its entry-level alternatives, but it does seem to pull its weight while doing so.
It has seen a further price cut since the team at The Best War Games last considered it, making it an even more appealing choice versus the competition even as it offers a unique aesthetic to gamers looking to build an all-white PC with a focus on looks. The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 AERO OC 8G remains a viable contender for users focused on aesthetics or those who simply want a larger take on the RTX 4060 in 2024.
The Best RTX 4070 SUPER GPUs To Get In 2024
The Nvidia RTX 4070 SUPER is an excellent GPU that takes over the RTX 4070's slot as Nvidia's mid-range option with many SKUs available for gamers.
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4060 8GB OC Edition
The ROG Aesthetic Advantage
- Brand
- ASUS
- Cooling Method
- Tri-Fan Air Cooling
- GPU Speed
- 1830 MHz
- Interface
- PCI-Express 4.0
- Memory
- 8GB GDDR6
The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4060 8GB OC Edition is the highest-end, performance-tier RTX 4060 one can currently buy. It also trades just shy of what an RTX 4060TI 8GB goes for, making it a questionable but very aesthetically superior purchase to many of its more dual-fan alternatives.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Power
- 115W
- Boost Speed
- OC Mode: 2700 MHz, Default Mode: 2670Mhz
- CUDA Cores
- 3072 Cores
- Slot Size
- 3.1 slot design
- Is the highest-clocked RTX 4060 SKU available
- Has a beautiful design
- Uses tri-fan cooling
- Had decent RGB lighting on offer
- Significantly pricier than the competition
- Very large and may be overkill for many users
The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4060 8GB OC Edition sees the larger tri-fan Strix cooler return to deliver excellent thermals. It has one of the highest boost clocks for an RTX 4060 and decent RGB lighting on offer to command a price tag that some might find outrageous for an RTX 4060 as it wades into RTX 4060TI territory with only $10 in wiggle room to spare.
That being said, the ROG Strix RTX 4060 does offer a premium solution that can also be seen as the most performance-centric one for buyers who aren't too concerned about price and want a ROG Strix GPU better than some of the RTX 4060 TI alternatives at this price range. ASUS's premium take on the RTX 4060 seems overdone, but not in a bad way, especially for buyers who want a good-looking GPU with RGB lighting on offer.
It offers a dual BIOS, lower temperatures than all of its competition, higher boost speeds than any other RTX 4060 on offer, and a cooler that allows it to run extremely quietly without having any significant performance issues that one can pinpoint. It offers a 5-10% gain over most RTX 4060 alternatives but at a significant price gain that makes it almost unfair to compare the Strix with regular RTX 4060s, but rather RTX 4060 TIs.
The Strix is designed for consumers who like having a beefy GPU design and are willing to pay the premium for it, even if most PC builders will take a long, hard second look at its value proposition. At its current sub-$400 price tag, it brings itself into somewhat unwanted comparisons with AMD's competing RX 7700XT as well Nvidia's RTX 4060 TI units as noted above.
The Best RTX 4070 Ti SUPER GPUs
Nvidia's RTX 4070 Ti SUPER is now out in force. Here are some of the best models you can buy in 2024!
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Solo
Small but equitable power
- Brand
- Zotac
- Cooling Method
- Single-Fan Air Cooling
- GPU Speed
- 1830 MHz
- Interface
- PCI-Express 4.0
- Memory
- 8GB GDDR6
The ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Solo is an entry-level RTX 4060 variant that focuses on being the perfect fit for smaller ITX or SFF (small form factor) builds while offering excellent ray tracing performance and solid 1080P gaming performance without compromising on power.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Power
- 115W
- Boost Speed
- 2460 MHz
- CUDA Cores
- 3072
- Offers a compact, dual-slot design
- Delivers similar performance as most larger alternatives
- No RGB lighting on offer
- Boost clocks are relatively tame
The ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Solo is an excellent entry-level GPU for system builders preferring a smaller form factor for their latest PC build. It's also a good option for someone who is simply looking for a secondary system for gaming that is more portable than any of its alternatives.
With a somewhat modest boost clock on offer, it still gets the job done for most users. The ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Solo uses a smaller, yet capable, single fan design that skips RGB lighting for a more compact, no-frills design, prioritizing form factor and functionality over aesthetic. This makes it a compelling case for upgrading without being concerned about buying a GPU that fits.
The dual-slot GPU should fit most builds with ease, coming at the tail end of the RTX 4060 offerings in terms of length, making it a compromise in looks but not in performance, where it delivers a decent boost clock and adequate cooling. While limited availability is a chief concern for the Zotac RTX 4060 Solo (the GPU dips in and out of stock at retailers), it continues to be an excellent option for gamers and power users wanting a compact, unassuming performer that is easy to add to pretty much every consumer-grade PC in 2024.
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G
Good Things Come In Low Profile Packages
- Brand
- Gigabyte
- Architecture
- Ada Lovelace
- Process
- 5 nm
- Transistors
- 18.9 billion
- Ray Accelerators/Cores
- 24
The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G offers the full performance of an RTX 4060 in a low-profile but overclocked model that holds its own against full-sized alternatives. This allows users with smaller ITX builds to easily take advantage of Nvidia's latest architecture without being limited by their case size or a GPU that can crowd an already case's available volume.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- AI Accelerators/Cores
- 24
- Base Clock Speed
- 1830 MHz
- Boost Clock Speed
- 2475 MHz
- Memory Capacity
- 8GB GDDR6
- Memory Bus
- 128 bit
- Memory Bandwidth
- 17 Gbps
- Power Draw
- 115 W
- Provides a decent overclocked experience
- Offers dual BIOS with OC and Silent options
- Has a tri-fan design to maximize available space
- Costs more than other readily available RTX 4060 SKUs
For users looking for a more compact RTX 4060 that can still deliver the goods while allowing for a low-profile case design, the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G comes equipped to impress out of the box. It offers a decent overclock and a form factor that can easily fit in a small 2U case with a design that takes into account the limitations of SFF cases by orienting its power connector in the most convenient direction, limiting the required cable size to the bare minimum while offering no compromises on performance.
It is, therefore, still surprising that Gigabyte has managed to throw in a complete tri-fan air cooling system into the mix which still happens to benefit from the RTX 4060's superior efficiency allowing it to work with PSUs rated at 500W or lower in some cases making it an ideal small form factor (SFF) or Home Theater PC (HTPC) add-on that can handle games, video and even light rendering needs with ease.
This is partially thanks to the bundled 8th generation NVIDIA Encoder (NVENC) that offers next-generation AV1 encoding support making it an ideal secondary broadcasting device for users intending to stream content online or simply to another part of their house. While some might find the small premium for the low-profile version of the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC unacceptable, especially since it offers larger variants of the same at the FE's MSRP, others will appreciate a much-needed low-profile alternative for their content, productivity, and gaming needs going into 2024.
FAQ
Q: Is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 better than the AMD RX 7600?
In terms of raw performance, Nvidia's offering wins more often than it loses to AMD's RX 7600 SKU. AMD does however have a $50 price edge in addition to an excellent AMD Rewards offer of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandor a, making the RX 7600 an excellent alternative to consider at the sub-$250 price point.
Q: What is the fastest RTX 4060 Variant Currently Available?
The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4060 8GB OC Edition is the fastest RTX 4060 SKU out of the box thanks to its high boost clocks, excellent build quality, and ability to push higher than most of its competition when tweaked.