Save Your Money: Avoid The Nvidia RTX 4060 TI

Nvidia RTX 4060 TI: Avoid It And Save Your Money

The Nvidia RTX 4060 TI has just come out, and having tested it, I can easily tell you that you should spend your money elsewhere, but why?
  • Gaming
  • Tasks
  • Price
  • Consumption
  • Ageing
3.4/5Overall Score
Specs
  • Stream Processors (Shaders): 4352
  • TMUs: 136
  • GPU Architecture: Ada Lovelace
  • Base Clock: 2310 MHz
  • Boost Clock: 2535 MHz
  • Memory Size: 8GB GDDR6
  • Memory Bandwidth: 288.0 GB/s
  • TDP: 160W
  • Transistor Count: 22,900 million
  • Manufacturing process: 5 nm
  • ROPs: 48
Pros
  • Great price for a new GPU
  • Great consumption/performance ratio
  • DLSS 3 support
Cons
  • Mediocre upgrade of the RTX 3060 TI
  • Overheating
  • Used GPUs outperform at lower price point
  • Only 8GB of VRAM?!

Are you considering upgrading your graphics card to enhance your gaming or creative endeavors? Before you dive into the world of graphics card options, it’s important to make an informed decision. You’ve probably either fawned over Nvidia or had your friends fawn over them, but we here will give you an objective review. In this article, we’ll explore the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI and why it might be wise to avoid investing your hard-earned money in this particular model. We’ll discuss its limitations, performance concerns, compatibility issues, and alternative options that offer better value for your budget. So, let’s dive in and explore the reasons to save your money, avoid the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI!

Why You Should Avoid The Nvidia RTX 4060 TI

The card may appear enticing at first glance, but there are several reasons why it might not be the best choice for you. Let’s delve into the details and explore why it’s advisable to look elsewhere for your graphical needs.

Limited Performance and Future Proofing

Anyone that knows anything about specifications and computers knows this. One of the main reasons to steer clear of the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI is its limited performance capabilities. While it may provide satisfactory performance in current games and applications, investing in a graphics card is an investment in the future as well. With technology advancing rapidly, newer games and software are likely to require more robust hardware to run optimally. Unfortunately, the RTX 4060 TI may struggle to keep up with these demands, leading to a subpar experience and potential bottlenecks.

While the DLSS 3 compatibility is great to have, whether or not the card is greatly future proof is a question. This is due to a major flaw Nvidia keeps doing for some reason, low VRAM. This card has a measly 8 gigs which for a new card in 2023 is nowhere near the modern requirement and will definitely be too low to be future-proof. Unless Nvidia manages to successfully create a way to have the same visual appeal take up less memory, 8 gigs will not be enough. While the drivers will keep getting updated, we can’t ignore the memory hurdle, which is why the card struggles when it comes to future proofing as well.

Compatibility Concerns

One more important thing to think about when considering the 4060 TI is compatibility that your current system has. The Nvidia RTX 4060 TI might present compatibility issues due to its power requirements, physical dimensions, or connectivity options. Upgrading your graphics card only to discover that it doesn’t fit or work seamlessly with your setup can be frustrating and costly. It’s crucial to ensure compatibility before making a purchase, and the RTX 4060 TI’s specifications might not align with your system’s requirements. This might be the dimensions or the cooling setup, since this card has potential heating issues (look down for more info).

This is to keep in mind even if you have an AMD or Intel processor, since nowadays, AMD GPUs are great with AMD and alright with Intel, while Nvidia is the opposite. So it might also be a different result than the one you expect depending on your remaining specs. Still, it’s going to be an upgrade nonetheless – depending on the previous card, the leap might not be as great as you’d expect.

Price-Performance Ratio

In the competitive world of graphics cards, the price-performance ratio is a key consideration. The Nvidia RTX 4060 TI might fall short in this aspect, as it may be priced higher than alternative options offering similar or even better performance. By exploring other graphics card models available at a similar price point, you can potentially find better value for your money and achieve a more satisfying gaming or creative experience.

In reality, the 4060 TI is a mediocre upgrade to the 3060 TI, if you have something on its level, upgrading to a 4060 TI would be pointless. This goes especially for the RTX 3070 TI and even the 2080 TI which outperform the 4060 TI easily. If you’re on the AMD side, a card like the RX 6800 XT which is matched with it for cheap or the RX 6750 XT which is slightly weaker but at a great price. The 7th gen RX series are comparable if not better than the 4060 TI, so you should realize by now just how many superior alternatives are out there, especially if you’re looking to save money on the used market.

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Potential Heating Issues

Heat management is essential for the smooth operation and longevity of a graphics card. Unfortunately, some users (me included) have reported heating issues with the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI, which could result in performance throttling or even damage to the card itself. Overheating can negatively impact gaming sessions or creative workflows, and it’s been especially overworking when I’m using Adobe software, leading to frustrating interruptions and potential hardware failures. Considering the importance of maintaining optimal operating temperatures, it’s wise to opt for a graphics card with a reliable cooling system, or to make sure the housing itself is well set for the heat incoming.

It does consume less power than you’d expect though, making it a great power-saving card if that’s what you’re looking for, otherwise, keep on reading.

Limited Availability and Scalping Concerns

In recent years, the availability of graphics cards has been a challenge due to high demand and limited supply. Unfortunately, this scarcity has given rise to scalpers and inflated prices in the market. The Nvidia RTX 4060 TI might be subject to these issues, making it harder to find at its recommended retail price. Falling prey to scalpers can result in spending a significant amount of money above the card’s actual value, which is an unnecessary expense. Exploring alternative graphics cards that are more readily available can save you money and frustration in the long run.

RTX 4060 TI Comparison

Using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 32GB of ram, we put multiple GPUs to the test, both old and new, in an attempt to see how this card stacks up to them. The results, were meh. While it does stack up decently, I’ve paid for some of them around a hundred or more dollars less using the used market – the gist is that some of them end up outperforming it, and given that some of them have more VRAM, they’re also more likely to be future proof.

As you can see on the GPU comparison chart above, the RTX 4060 TI is at the bottom of the chart. We used 3DMark as I feel that it most accurately translates into real use. For the 400 dollars you pay, you’re getting performance of a top dog back in 2018. You don’t need me to tell you how long ago that was. For a card released just a week ago, it’s incredibly disappointing to say the least, which is why I’m telling you, do not waste your money with it, even if it has the DLSS 3.

Keep in mind that we don’t have all the cards, and you can probably imagine just by looking at the list above what other cards may be able to beat the 4060 TI in head-on battle. Also, if you have a card weaker than the 4060 TI but not by a lot (such as an RTX 3060 TI) we suggest you spend your money on a better upgrade or wait till for the next generation of graphics cards.

Nowadays, you can find the competitors that outperform the 4060 TI for less money on the used market, making them the better option. Just turn to eBay, Amazon, or, if you have it, a local tech place where you can buy things for dirt cheap are usually the best bet.

Why You Should Consider Buying The Nvidia RTX 4060 TI

Despite all my ranting about the latest Nvidia card, there are some decent pros that come with the card, which I’ll dig in on below.

Performance Of An RTX 3070 In A New 400$ Package

The RTX 3070 was a great card at the time, and it still is right now. If you’re looking to buy new cards only while also being on a budget, the 4060 TI is an incredible card for just the cause, making it a near no-brainer in such situations. Unless you can find a great deal on a new card of a previous or current generation, then the 4060 TI is the right choice for you.

Low Power Consumption

The 4060 TI, with its performance improvement over the 3060 TI also consumes less, making it better in that aspect when compared against the many cards on its performance level. The 4060 TI will demand 160 Watts. This will rarely happen however, and you’ll be keeping at under a 150 for most of its runtime. This is incredible compared to the similar performance of the RTX 3070 which has a 220 Watt TDP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI a good choice for gaming enthusiasts?

No, the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI may not be a good choice for gaming enthusiasts due to its limited performance capabilities and potential compatibility issues. There are better alternatives available in the market that offer superior performance and value for money. Turning to the used market and buying an RX 6750 XT, RTX 3070 or even the RTX 2080 TI can save you money while offering similar to slightly better performance.

Can the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI handle demanding creative tasks?

While the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI may be capable of handling some creative tasks, it might struggle with more resource-intensive applications. If you’re a professional or require a graphics card for heavy creative workloads, it’s advisable to consider other options that offer greater performance and stability, such as an RTX 4070, RTX 3080, RX 7900 XT or even the RX 6900 XT.

Will the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI be able to run upcoming games smoothly?

The Nvidia RTX 4060 TI might be able to run upcoming games smoothly, depending on DLSS 3 support and how much VRAM the game drains. Given the rapid advancements in gaming technology, it’s uncertain how well the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI will handle future games. Investing in a graphics card that offers better future-proofing and scalability would be a wiser choice to ensure optimal gaming experiences.

What are some alternative graphics cards to consider instead of the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI?

Some alternative graphics cards to consider instead of the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI would be a lot of neatly priced used cards that tend to outperform it more times than not. Graphics cards such as the RX 6800 XT, RTX 4070,

Are there any budget-friendly graphics card options that provide good performance?

Yes, if you’re on a budget but still want good performance, you can explore options like the RX 6750 XT or the RTX 3070. These cards offer the same (even slightly better) performance at a better price. If you’re budget is tight, let’s say up to 300/250 dollars, we suggest the RX 6700 XT, RX 6600 XT, RTX 2070 TI. If it’s less than 200 dollars, the GTX 1080 TI and Vega 64 are still solid cards, despite their incredibly old age.

Should I wait for the next generation of graphics cards instead of purchasing the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI?

You should either wait for the next generation of graphics cards instead of purchasing the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI or buy something used or better. If you have the flexibility to wait, it might be wise to see what the next generation of graphics cards has to offer. Newer models often come with improved performance, better features, and competitive pricing, which could be a better investment in the long run. You could also buy older used and powerful cards for a far greater price and even better performance.

Conclusion

Now you know the reasons to save your money and avoid the Nvidia RTX 4060 TI. Despite the rant I’ve had, the card itself is still decent, especially for the price, but as a fan of buying used tech for a better price to performance ration, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend the card. If you’ve got any disagreements or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. Till next time!

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