Should I Wait for RTX 3060 or Should I Buy RTX 2060?

The question of whether to wait for the RTX 3060 or to buy the RTX 2060 now has been a topic of much debate among tech enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each option, taking into consideration factors like performance, pricing, and the impact of the global GPU market.

Personal Preference: Performance Over Price

Personally, I would recommend waiting for the RTX 3060 over the RTX 2060. The RTX 2060 is certainly a good choice, but with the launch of the RTX 3060, there is a noticeable improvement in both performance and features. These differences are particularly pronounced in titles that support ray tracing, such as Minecraft and Fortnite with RTX enabled.

Price Considerations

One of the most significant factors to consider is the price. In many countries, including India, the RTX 3060 has been subject to overinflated prices due to scalpers. The price of RTX 3060 is expected to remain overinflated for the foreseeable future, with a marked difference from its intended price range. It’s highly recommended to consider a more powerful option, such as the RTX 3060 Ti or even the RTX 3070, for a better gaming experience.

Market Trends and Scalping

The market for GPUs has been consistently affected by scalpers who buy up entire stocks of new cards and resell them at inflated prices. This is a recurring issue that has plagued the GPU market since the launch of the first RTX 30 series cards. If you’re not willing to wait, the RTX 2060 might be a better option, as it has been proven to be a reliable and capable card with excellent performance for gaming and other tasks.

Performance Improvement

The RTX 3060 offers improved architectural design and more CUDA cores, providing significant performance benefits over the RTX 2060. However, it’s important to note that there are other factors at play, such as driver support and game performance. While the new cards have been touted as offering much better performance at the same price, issues with stock availability and driver updates might prolong the benefits.

Cost Considerations

If cost is a significant factor for you, you might want to consider waiting for the RTX 3060. However, given the current inflated prices and potential issues with stock and compatibility, it might be better to wait for future models like the RTX 3050 Ti, expected in January 2021. Speculation suggests that the RTX 3050 Ti will be positioned between the RTX 2060 and RTX 3060, which could be a more cost-effective and better-performing option for many users.

Conclusion

The decision to wait for the RTX 3060 or to buy the RTX 2060 today largely depends on your willingness to wait and your budget. The RTX 3060 offers clear performance advantages, but current market conditions make it a risky buy. If you're willing to wait and can afford to do so, the RTX 3060 might be the better choice. Otherwise, the RTX 2060 provides excellent performance and is a solid investment.