Is the RTX 2060 Still Worth Buying in 2022?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Specifications of the RTX 2060
3. Is the RTX 2060 Worth Buying in 2022?
4. Gaming Performance of the RTX 2060
5. Future-Proofing with the RTX 2060
6. Power Draw and Thermals of the RTX 2060
7. Comparing the RTX 2060 with Other Graphics Cards
8. Alternative Options to the RTX 2060
9. XFX Radeon RX 570RS XXX Edition
10. Zodiac Gaming GeForce RTX 3050
11. RX 5600 XT Sapphire Pulse
12. Conclusion

Is the RTX 2060 Worth Buying in 2022?

The graphics card market is constantly evolving, and with new releases and advancements, it's important to consider whether the RTX 2060 is still a viable option in 2022. In this article, we will take a closer look at the specifications, performance, and future-proofing of the RTX 2060 to determine whether it is worth buying in the current GPU market.

Introduction

When it was first released in 2018, the RTX 2060 was praised as a mid-range graphics card that offered excellent performance for its price. It was a part of Nvidia's RTX 2000 series and introduced significant improvements over the previous generation GTX 1060. However, with the continuous release of newer GPUs and the recent global GPU shortage, it's crucial to evaluate whether the RTX 2060 still holds up as a worthwhile investment.

The Specifications of the RTX 2060

The RTX 2060 is built on the 12 nanometer manufacturing process and features the TU-106 GPU in its TU-106 200a ka a1 variant. With a die area of 442 millimeters squared and 10,800 million total transistors, it offers a significant improvement over the GTX 1060. The GPU comes with 6 gigabytes of GDDR6 memory and 2176 CUDA cores, providing ample power for gaming and other graphic-intensive tasks.

Is the RTX 2060 Worth Buying in 2022?

In terms of gaming performance, the RTX 2060 is still a capable graphics card for 1440p gaming. While newer GPUs have been released since its initial launch, the RTX 2060 holds its own and offers a good balance between price and performance. However, it's important to consider the current state of the GPU market and availability issues when deciding whether to purchase the RTX 2060.

Gaming Performance of the RTX 2060

The RTX 2060 delivers excellent gaming performance, particularly at 1440p resolution. It offers smooth gameplay in many popular AAA titles and can handle high settings in most games. While it may not reach the same level of performance as newer and more powerful GPUs, it still provides a satisfying gaming experience for those on a budget.

Future-Proofing with the RTX 2060

Future-proofing is an essential consideration when investing in a graphics card. While the RTX 2060 may not be the most cutting-edge GPU on the market, it still offers support for real-time ray tracing and DLSS technology, ensuring compatibility with upcoming games that utilize these features. However, for those looking for long-term future-proofing, it may be worth considering more powerful GPUs with better performance and more advanced features.

Power Draw and Thermals of the RTX 2060

The RTX 2060 is known for its reasonable power draw and thermals. Most variants, including the Founders Edition cards, are dual-slot cards that provide compatibility with a wide range of PC cases. The GPU draws a maximum wattage of 160 under load and features a relatively modest power draw compared to more high-end models. This means that even with a fairly basic cooling solution, the RTX 2060 can maintain reasonable temperatures without the need for expensive and bulky cooling systems.

Comparing the RTX 2060 with Other Graphics Cards

In the current GPU market, it can be challenging to find available and reasonably priced graphics cards due to availability issues. However, there are some alternatives that can provide similar performance to the RTX 2060. One such alternative is the XFX Radeon RX 570RS XXX Edition. This graphics card features an AMD RX 570 chipset, 8 gigabytes of GDDR5 memory, and optimized performance with XFX Trueclock technology. It offers a decent gaming experience and can also be used for cryptocurrency mining.

Alternative Options to the RTX 2060

Another alternative to consider is the Zodiac Gaming GeForce RTX 3050. This graphics card features Nvidia's Ampere architecture, with third-gen Tensor cores and Second-gen ray-tracing cores. It offers 8 gigabytes of GDDR6 memory and is equipped with an advanced cooling system. With its impressive specifications and price point, the RTX 3050 is a strong contender for those seeking an alternative to the RTX 2060.

Additionally, the RX 5600 XT Sapphire Pulse is a worthy alternative to the RTX 2060. It competes with the RTX 2060 in terms of performance while being priced lower and consuming less power. The Sapphire Pulse model offers excellent vRAM cooling, and although its exterior design might not be as appealing as some other models, it provides a solid gaming experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the RTX 2060 is still a viable choice for gamers in 2022. It offers good gaming performance, compatibility with real-time ray tracing and DLSS technology, and reasonable power draw and thermals. However, due to the current GPU shortage and availability issues, it's important to consider alternative options such as the XFX Radeon RX 570RS XXX Edition, the Zodiac Gaming GeForce RTX 3050, and the RX 5600 XT Sapphire Pulse. These alternatives provide comparable performance and can be more readily available in the current market.

Pros:

• Good gaming performance for 1440p gaming
• Support for real-time ray tracing and DLSS technology
• Reasonable power draw and thermals
• Alternative options available at lower prices

Cons:

• Availability issues due to the global GPU shortage
• Not the latest and most powerful GPU on the market

Resources:

• XFX Radeon RX 570RS XXX Edition
• Zodiac Gaming GeForce RTX 3050
• RX 5600 XT Sapphire Pulse

Highlights

• The RTX 2060, released in 2018, offers good gaming performance at a reasonable price.
• It features 6 gigabytes of GDDR6 memory and 2176 CUDA cores.
• The RTX 2060 is still a capable graphics card for 1440p gaming, making it worth considering in 2022.
• Alternative options, such as the XFX Radeon RX 570RS XXX Edition, the Zodiac Gaming GeForce RTX 3050, and the RX 5600 XT Sapphire Pulse, provide similar performance and can be more readily available in the current market.

FAQ

Q: Is the RTX 2060 future-proof? A: While the RTX 2060 offers support for real-time ray tracing and DLSS technology, it may not be as future-proof as more powerful and advanced GPUs on the market.

Q: What are some alternative options to the RTX 2060? A: Some alternative options to consider are the XFX Radeon RX 570RS XXX Edition, the Zodiac Gaming GeForce RTX 3050, and the RX 5600 XT Sapphire Pulse. These cards offer comparable performance and may be more readily available.

Q: Can the RTX 2060 handle 1440p gaming? A: Yes, the RTX 2060 is capable of handling 1440p gaming and can provide a smooth gaming experience in most popular AAA titles.

Q: What is the power draw of the RTX 2060? A: The RTX 2060 draws a maximum wattage of 160 under load, which is relatively modest compared to more high-end GPUs.

Q: Is the RTX 2060 still a good GPU in 2022? A: The RTX 2060 is still a good GPU for 1440p gaming and offers a good balance between price and performance. However, availability may be an issue due to the current GPU shortage.