Yes, the RTX 3060 12GB is Still Worth Buying in 2024 for 1080p and 1440p Gaming

As a long-time PC gaming enthusiast, I can definitively say that the RTX 3060 12GB remains an exceptional value purchase in 2024 for smooth high fidelity 1080p and 1440p gaming.

Let‘s dive deeper into why:

Benchmarks Show Strong 1080p and 1440p Performance

Based on compiled benchmarks from various reputable sources like Tom‘s Hardware and TechPowerUp, the RTX 3060 12GB delivers excellent frame rates for the money.

Here‘s an overview of average and 99th percentile fps performance across both resolutions in some popular games:

As you can see from these results, 1080p gaming is very strong with max settings. 1440p is also quite solid, usually requiring just some mild tweaks to achieve 60 FPS minimums.

The 12GB of VRAM seems to help provide extra headroom too – tests by Hardware Unboxed showed the 3060 12GB avoiding stutters in demanding games whereas the equivalent 8GB 3060 model suffered from throttling. This shows the value of the extra memory.

Excellent Price to Performance Ratio

In terms of price/performance ratio, the RTX 3060 12GB shines bright according to this great evaluation by Tom‘s Hardware. Compared to the other Ampere cards, the 3060 offered one of the best overall fps-per-dollar values.

FACT: At the $329 MSRP, the 3060 provided a 20% better cost per frame over the RTX 3060 Ti despite having lower raw performance.

And with most good quality models now selling in the $300-400 range depending on deals and rebates, this advantage is even higher making the 3060 a value choice.

Strong Ray Tracing and DLSS Capability

Thanks to Nvidia‘s dedicated RT and tensor cores, ray traced lighting and DLSS super sampling provide tangible visual upgrades and smoother frame rates.

In titles like Control, framerates shot up by over 2X at max settings when enabling DLSS, also looking significantly cleaner. And Cyberpunk 2077 saw an impressive 3X FPS gain with Psycho ray tracing + DLSS Quality activated.

These gains allow the 3060 to achieve buttery smooth frame pacing even with cutting-edge effects enabled in supported games for greater visual immersion.

Quiet and Efficient Cooling Designs

The RTX 3060 seems to run cool and quiet thanks to improved cooling in third party models – Guru3D testing showed the MSI RTX 3060 Gaming X hitting just 61°C load temps with fans maxing out at only 46 dB which is quieter than ambient noise.

This efficient thermal dissipation gives enthusiasts flexibility for overclocking. And the relatively low 170W TDP provides good efficiency which is great considering rising energy costs worldwide.

In summary – armed with excellent 1080p and 1440p performance, rich features like ray tracing and DLSS, quiet cooling, and superb price/performance value, the venerable RTX 3060 12GB still absolutely packs a powerful punch in 2024 for high fidelity gaming. This makes it easy to recommend still in a world of inflated PC component pricing.

Any questions? Let me know in the comments!