NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP is a desktop graphics card built on the Ampere architecture, utilizing the GA106 chip fabricated on Samsung's 8 nm process. It is positioned within the GeForce 30-series lineup, succeeding the GeForce 20 generation and preceding the GeForce 40 series. With a production status of end-of-life, this card occupies a specific tier in the market, as indicated by its 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs.

Memory Subsystem

The RTX 3060 3840SP is equipped with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory, which is a significant factor for high-resolution gaming. The memory operates at an effective speed of 14 Gbps, and when paired with a 192-bit memory bus, the card achieves a memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. This bandwidth figure is crucial for feeding the 3840 shading units, as it determines how quickly texture data and frame buffers can be accessed.

At higher resolutions such as 1440p or 4K, the 6 GB VRAM capacity can become a limiting factor in modern titles with high-detail textures. The 192-bit bus width, while narrower than higher-tier cards, is balanced by the relatively high memory clock to provide a total bandwidth that is adequate for the card's compute capabilities. The data suggests that this memory configuration is designed to deliver consistent performance at 1080p and playable frame rates at 1440p, provided texture quality settings are managed appropriately. The effective 14 Gbps speed and 336.0 GB/s bandwidth work in tandem to reduce stuttering and maintain smooth frame pacing in most scenarios.

Ray Tracing and Feature Set

This GPU includes dedicated hardware for real-time ray tracing and AI-driven features. It houses 30 RT cores and 120 tensor cores, which are the foundational elements for the GeForce 30-series feature set. The RT cores are responsible for accelerating ray-traced lighting, shadows, and reflections, while the tensor cores handle tasks such as deep learning super sampling and other AI-based enhancements.

From an API perspective, the card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), which is the baseline for hardware-accelerated ray tracing in modern Windows titles. It also supports OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4, ensuring broad compatibility across different game engines and applications. The presence of these APIs means that the card is fully compliant with the latest graphical standards, allowing developers to implement advanced rendering techniques. The 14.22 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and equal 14.22 TFLOPS FP16 (1:1) rate provide the raw compute throughput needed to support these features, though ray tracing workloads will naturally impact overall frame rates.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for this particular SKU indicates an average benchmark score of zero, with no specific nearest rivals listed for direct comparison. However, the percentile ranking places it at the 50th percentile against all GPUs, which is a useful reference point. This means the card performs better than half of all GPUs in the database, while being outperformed by the other half. In practical terms, this positions the RTX 3060 3840SP as a mid-range solution.

The compute metrics provide further insight into its performance class. The pixel rate is 88.90 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 222.2 GTexel/s. These numbers indicate that the card can handle rasterization efficiently, with the 120 TMUs working alongside 48 ROPs to deliver solid fill rates. The FP32 output of 14.22 TFLOPS is a strong indicator of general compute performance, but the lack of specific benchmark scores or rival comparisons means that exact percentage deltas cannot be established from the available data. The card's 8 nm process node and 12,000 million transistors on a 276 mm² die size suggest a balanced design that prioritizes efficiency within its thermal envelope.

Power and Cooling

The RTX 3060 3840SP has a thermal design power (TDP) of 185 W, which is a moderate requirement for a mid-range card. For system integration, the recommended power supply unit is rated at 450 W, which provides a comfortable headroom for the card under full load. The power is delivered through a single 12-pin power connector, a configuration that may require an adapter for older power supplies.

In terms of physical dimensions, the card is 242 mm in length (9.5 inches) and 112 mm in height (4.4 inches), making it a dual-slot design. This form factor is standard for the 30-series and should fit in most modern mid-tower cases without clearance issues. The cooling solution is not specified in terms of heat sink size or fan configuration, but the 185 W TDP implies that a capable air cooler is sufficient to manage thermals. Users should ensure their cases have adequate airflow to maintain optimal boost clocks, as the card can sustain its 1852 MHz boost clock only under acceptable thermal conditions.

How It Compares

Since the nearestRivals data is empty, the comparison must rely on the broader context of the GeForce 30-series and the card's position in the market. The RTX 3060 3840SP sits as a successor to the GeForce 20 series, meaning it is a generational improvement over cards like the RTX 2060. The jump from the previous generation brings architectural efficiency gains from Ampere, including the dedicated RT and tensor cores.

Against its successor, the GeForce 40 series, the RTX 3060 3840SP is clearly a step down in raw performance. The 40-series cards benefit from newer manufacturing processes and architectural refinements, but the 3060 3840SP retains relevance for users on a budget who do not require the absolute latest features. The 50th percentile ranking reinforces this position, as it is neither a high-end performer nor a low-end entry point.

Within the 30-series itself, the 3840SP variant of the RTX 3060 is notable for its specific shader count. Without direct rivals listed, the qualitative assessment is that it offers a balanced set of specifications for 1080p gaming and entry-level 1440p. The 6 GB VRAM is the primary limitation, as newer titles increasingly demand more capacity. The card's 14.22 TFLOPS of FP32 performance places it in a competitive range for its class, but the lack of benchmark scores prevents a more detailed comparison.

FAQ

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP?

A: The memory bandwidth is 336.0 GB/s, achieved through a 192-bit bus and GDDR6 memory running at 14 Gbps effective.

Q: How much VRAM does this card have, and what type is it?

A: It has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory, which is suited for 1080p gaming and moderate 1440p usage with adjusted settings.

Q: What are the key API features supported by this GPU?

A: It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, enabling hardware ray tracing and modern rendering techniques.

Q: What is the recommended power supply wattage for this card?

A: The suggested PSU rating is 450 W, and the card has a TDP of 185 W with a single 12-pin power connector requirement.

Q: What is the physical size of the RTX 3060 3840SP?

A: It is 242 mm long and 112 mm high, occupying a dual-slot width in a standard case.

Q: What is the pixel and texture fill rate?

A: The pixel rate is 88.90 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 222.2 GTexel/s, driven by 48 ROPs and 120 TMUs respectively.