It appears that the graphics card that introduced numerous gamers to ray tracing and high-definition visuals is approaching its end. A recent rumor suggests that Nvidia is planning to halt production of the highly popular RTX 3060, a top performer in the Steam Hardware Survey.
The information emerged from a post on the Chinese tech forum Bobantang, renowned for insider news within the hardware industry. Although Nvidia has not officially confirmed this, Board Channels has a credible history, having previously predicted the discontinuation of the RTX 3060 Ti.
Final Orders for RTX 3060
The forum post indicates that Nvidia has informed its manufacturing partners to submit final orders for the RTX 3060. This doesn't imply that the card will disappear immediately. Existing stock will continue to be available through retailer channels for the coming months, providing gamers with a final opportunity to purchase this reliable GPU.
Launch and Market Impact
Launched in February 2021 during a period when crypto-mining and chip shortages caused GPU prices to skyrocket, the RTX 3060 initially came in a 12GB GDDR6 version, with an 8GB variant introduced later. Both versions offered a good balance between price and performance. Despite early buyers facing inflated prices, the 3060 eventually became an affordable option for gamers eager to experience Nvidia’s Ampere architecture.
Currently, the RTX 3060 leads the Steam Hardware Survey with a 5.71% market share. It provided a considerable performance upgrade over its predecessor, the GTX 1660 Ti, ensuring smooth gameplay at 1080p and decent performance at 1440p with some graphical tweaks. The inclusion of ray tracing, even at a limited capacity, further enhanced its attractiveness.
Transition to RTX 40 Series
With Nvidia's new RTX 40 series on the horizon, the landscape is shifting. The RTX 4060, set to succeed the RTX 3060, offers superior performance at a comparable price. While the 3060 will likely remain available in the used market, the 4060 presents a more appealing option for new buyers.
