It looks like the graphics card that introduced many gamers to ray tracing and high-fidelity visuals is nearing its end. According to a new rumor, Nvidia is planning to discontinue production of the ever-popular RTX 3060, which has been a top performer in the Steam Hardware Survey.
The news comes from a post on the Chinese tech forum Bobantang, known for insider scoops within the hardware industry. While the information hasn’t been officially confirmed by Nvidia, Board Channels has a track record of accuracy, having previously predicted the RTX 3060 Ti’s discontinuation.
According to the forum post, Nvidia has notified its manufacturing partners to place final orders for the RTX 3060. This doesn’t mean the card will vanish overnight. Existing stock will continue to trickle through retailer channels for the next few months, allowing gamers a final window to snag this workhorse GPU.
The RTX 3060 was launched in February 2021 at a time when crypto-mining and chip shortages drove GPU prices to absurd heights. Initially, it was available only in a 12GB GDDR6 version, with an 8GB variant introduced later.
Both versions struck a good balance between price and performance. Although early buyers faced inflated costs, the 3060 eventually became a budget-friendly option for gamers wanting a taste of Nvidia’s Ampere architecture.
The card currently reigns at the top of the Steam Hardware Survey with a 5.71% market share. It offered a significant jump in performance over its predecessor, the GTX 1660 Ti, enabling smooth gameplay at 1080p and even respectable performance at 1440p with some graphical adjustments. The inclusion of ray tracing capabilities, albeit at a limited capacity, further added to its appeal.
But with Nvidia’s new RTX 40 series arriving, the landscape is changing. The RTX 4060, as the successor to the RTX 3060, offers better performance at a similar price. While the 3060 will likely still be available in the used market, the 4060 is a more attractive option for new buyers.
Comments