Is it Worth Upgrading from 3060 to 3070?
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is a powerful graphics card that has taken the gaming world by storm. For those who already own the RTX 3060, the question arises: is it worth upgrading to the newer model? In this article, we’ll delve into the differences between the two cards, discussing their performance, power consumption, and price to help you make an informed decision.
Direct Answer
Probably not, unless you have something else you want to do with your RTX 3060 (e.g. another PC to put it into) or can sell it for a good price. An RTX 3070 is about 40–50% faster than an RTX 3060, at least in tasks that don’t use more than 8GB VRAM.
Performance Differences
The main difference between the RTX 3060 and RTX 3070 is the CUDA core count. The RTX 3070 has 5888 CUDA cores, compared to the RTX 3060’s 3840 CUDA cores. This significant increase in CUDA cores translates to a substantial boost in performance. In most modern games, the RTX 3070 can deliver frame rates up to 40% higher than the RTX 3060.
| Game | RTX 3060 (1080p) | RTX 3060 (1440p) | RTX 3070 (1080p) | RTX 3070 (1440p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | 60 FPS | 40 FPS | 80 FPS | 60 FPS |
| The Witcher 3 | 70 FPS | 45 FPS | 90 FPS | 65 FPS |
| Borderlands 3 | 80 FPS | 55 FPS | 100 FPS | 75 FPS |
Power Consumption
Another crucial aspect to consider is power consumption. The RTX 3070 consumes around 230W, while the RTX 3060 consumes around 160W. While the increased power consumption may be a concern for some, the RTX 3070’s performance gains justify the additional power draw.
Price
The final consideration is price. The RTX 3070 is typically priced around $500-$600, while the RTX 3060 can be found for around $300-$400. Unless you’re willing to pay a premium for the increased performance, upgrading from the RTX 3060 might not be worth it.
Conclusion
Upgrading from the RTX 3060 to the RTX 3070 may not be necessary for most users, given the significant cost difference. However, if you’re looking for the best gaming performance and have the budget to accommodate it, the RTX 3070 is a worthwhile upgrade. Remember to weigh the pros and cons, considering your specific gaming needs and budget, before making a decision.
Additional Tips
• Sell your RTX 3060: If you decide not to upgrade, consider selling your RTX 3060 to recoup some of the costs or use the funds towards other upgrades.
• Use your RTX 3060 in another PC: If you have another PC or plan to build one, consider using your RTX 3060 in that build instead of upgrading your primary gaming rig.
• Wait for the next generation: If you’re patient, you might want to wait for the next generation of NVIDIA graphics cards, which will likely offer even more significant performance gains at a lower price point.
By weighing the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether upgrading from the RTX 3060 to the RTX 3070 is right for you.