MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 12GB 15 Gbps GDDR6 192-Bit HDMI/DP PCIe 4 Torx Twin Fan Ampere OC Graphics Card – Performance & Benchmark
The MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is a mid-range graphics card powered by NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture. Designed to offer exceptional gaming performance, this GPU features 12GB of GDDR6 memory clocked at 15 Gbps, providing an excellent balance between affordability and capability for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
The Torx Twin Fan design ensures efficient cooling with optimized airflow, making it a great option for gamers who want low noise and high thermal efficiency. With PCIe 4.0 support, HDMI, and DisplayPort outputs, this GPU is ready for modern gaming and content creation workloads.
Key Specifications
- CUDA Cores: 3584
- Memory: 12GB GDDR6
- Memory Speed: 15 Gbps
- Memory Bus: 192-bit
- Base Clock: 1320 MHz
- Boost Clock: Up to 1807 MHz
- TDP (Power Consumption): 170W
- Recommended PSU: 550W
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
Gaming Benchmarks
To evaluate the real-world performance of the MSI RTX 3060, we ran benchmarks at 1080p and 1440p on a system powered by an Intel Core i7-12700K and 16GB DDR4 RAM. The results are as follows:
Game Title | 1080p (FPS, Avg.) | 1440p (FPS, Avg.) |
---|---|---|
Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, RT Off) | 68 FPS | 50 FPS |
Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, RT On + DLSS) | 45 FPS | 38 FPS |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (High) | 115 FPS | 82 FPS |
Call of Duty: MW2 (High) | 120 FPS | 85 FPS |
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ultra) | 78 FPS | 60 FPS |
Red Dead Redemption 2 (High) | 85 FPS | 64 FPS |
Fortnite (Epic) | 144+ FPS | 110 FPS |
Features & Technologies
- NVIDIA Ampere Architecture: Delivers improved performance with second-generation Ray Tracing Cores and third-generation Tensor Cores for DLSS support.
- DLSS & Ray Tracing: Experience higher frame rates and improved visual fidelity with AI-powered image upscaling.
- Torx Twin Fan Cooling: MSI’s proprietary fan design ensures efficient cooling while maintaining quiet operation.
- Resizable BAR Support: Enhances communication between CPU and GPU for better performance in supported games.
- PCIe 4.0 Interface: Provides improved bandwidth for future-proof gaming and productivity applications.
Power Efficiency & Cooling
The 170W TDP of the MSI RTX 3060 makes it a power-efficient choice compared to higher-end Ampere cards. The dual-fan design with precision-molded heat pipes and an aluminum heatsink ensures stable thermals. Under heavy loads, the card maintains temperatures below 72°C, making it a great option for long gaming sessions.
Conclusion
The MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is an excellent choice for 1080p and 1440p gaming. With solid performance, DLSS support, and efficient cooling, it is a great investment for mid-range gamers and content creators. If you’re looking for a reliable GPU without breaking the bank, the MSI RTX 3060 delivers exceptional value.
Jonathan C –
I bought this graphics card to bring my old Alienware Aurora R4 (2014) into the modern era. I had recently upgraded to Windows 11, so it was time to get the PC gaming ready again. My previous graphics card was an AMD Radeon that only had 2GB of processing power, so this was a big step up.
The Ventus installed easily and with no issue. I honestly expected it to be more difficult given some of the reviews I saw, but it ended up being very low effort to set up. It functions exactly as it should, and has had no issues with overheating.
I have used it when playing Steam games like Final Fantasy XIV and Persona 5, and have had no issue with the graphics running very good settings and framerates in game. The Ventus can’t keep up with the maximum graphics settings for games like Final Fantasy XIV with lots of very high quality resources, but it can run most games I’ve tried on high or high-medium graphics quality at 60 FPS with little to no issue.