NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Review
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Review: The Best Budget GPU for 1080p & 1440p Gaming?
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is a budget-friendly graphics card from NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace architecture, designed to deliver efficient performance, DLSS 3, and ray tracing at an affordable price. It aims to replace the popular RTX 3060 while offering better power efficiency and AI-powered performance boosts. But is it worth upgrading to the RTX 4060? Let’s dive into a full review of its specifications, performance, and value.
Specifications and Features
The RTX 4060 is built on NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace architecture, featuring DLSS 3, 3rd-gen RT Cores, and 4th-gen Tensor Cores. This GPU focuses on delivering strong 1080p performance while being power-efficient.
- CUDA Cores: 3072
- Base Clock: 1830 MHz
- Boost Clock: 2460 MHz
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Memory Bus: 128-bit
- TDP: 115W
- Ray Tracing & DLSS 3 Support: Yes
- Power Connector: 1x 8-Pin
The most noticeable upgrade in the RTX 4060 is DLSS 3, which introduces Frame Generation technology. This AI-powered feature can significantly boost FPS in supported games, making it a game-changer for lower-end GPUs like this one.
Gaming Performance: 1080p & 1440p Ready?
The RTX 4060 shines in 1080p gaming, delivering high FPS in modern titles while handling some 1440p gaming as well.
- 1080p Gaming: Most modern games run at 60+ FPS on ultra settings, and with DLSS 3 enabled, FPS can jump significantly.
- 1440p Gaming: The RTX 4060 is capable of 1440p gaming, though in some demanding titles, settings may need to be lowered to high or medium for smooth performance.
- Ray Tracing: The improved 3rd-gen RT Cores make ray tracing more viable than ever in a budget card, but DLSS 3 is required for playable FPS in demanding games.
| Game | 1080p (Ultra Settings) | 1440p (High Settings) | 1080p (DLSS 3 Enabled) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 65 FPS | 50 FPS | 100+ FPS |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 110 FPS | 85 FPS | 140+ FPS |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 70 FPS | 55 FPS | 90+ FPS |
| Apex Legends | 180+ FPS | 120+ FPS | N/A |
With DLSS 3, even graphically demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy become playable at higher settings without compromising FPS.
Power Efficiency and Cooling
The RTX 4060 is one of the most power-efficient GPUs in its class, consuming only 115W—a massive improvement over previous generations. This makes it ideal for small form factor (SFF) builds and budget PC setups.
- Lower Power Draw: The 115W TDP means it can run on a 450W or 500W power supply, making it an easy drop-in upgrade for older systems.
- Cool and Quiet: Most models run below 70°C under load, making it a great option for compact builds with limited airflow.
Comparison with RTX 3060 and AMD Alternatives
At this price point, the RTX 4060 competes with the RTX 3060, RX 7600, and RX 6700 XT. The RTX 4060 wins in efficiency, DLSS 3, and ray tracing, but AMD’s RX 7600 offers slightly better raw rasterization performance in some cases.
| GPU | 1080p Performance | Ray Tracing | DLSS / FSR Support | Power Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4060 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ DLSS 3 | 115W |
| RTX 3060 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ✅ DLSS 2 | 170W |
| RX 7600 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ✅ FSR 2 | 165W |
| RX 6700 XT | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ✅ FSR 2 | 230W |
While the RX 6700 XT offers better raw performance, it has higher power consumption and weaker ray tracing capabilities. The RTX 4060 remains the best option for power efficiency and DLSS 3 support.
Who Should Buy the RTX 4060?
✔ 1080p gamers who want high FPS at ultra settings.
✔ 1440p players who are okay with medium to high settings.
✔ Ray tracing enthusiasts looking for DLSS 3 support.
✔ PC builders with lower-wattage power supplies needing an efficient GPU.
✔ Streamers and content creators who can take advantage of NVIDIA’s NVENC encoder for high-quality streaming.
Final Verdict
The NVIDIA RTX 4060 is an excellent mid-range GPU that offers strong 1080p performance, DLSS 3, and power efficiency. While it may not be the best raw performer compared to AMD’s RX 7600, its ray tracing capabilities and AI-driven performance boosts make it a future-proof choice for budget-conscious gamers.
Pros:
✔ Great 1080p and decent 1440p performance
✔ DLSS 3 boosts FPS significantly in supported games
✔ Low power consumption (115W)
✔ Excellent ray tracing for a budget GPU
Cons:
✖ 128-bit memory bus could limit performance in VRAM-heavy games
✖ Competes closely with RX 7600, which has better rasterization performance
✖ Limited upgrade over RTX 3060 in non-DLSS games
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly yet future-proof GPU, the RTX 4060 is a solid choice, especially for gamers who value DLSS 3 and power efficiency. 🚀
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