Testing the Performance of the Nvidia RTX 3060 and AMD RX 6600 Graphics Cards

While testing the performance of the Nvidia RTX 3060 and AMD RX 6600 graphics cards, it's clear that both options have their strengths and weaknesses. The RTX 3060 is a more expensive option, but it also offers better performance in certain games. For example, at lower resolutions such as 1080p, the RTX 3060 was 9% faster than the RX 6600 on average. This difference may not seem like much, but it can add up over time.

However, when we move to higher resolutions such as 1440p, the gap between the two cards increases significantly. The RTX 3060 is now 17% ahead of the RX 6600 in terms of average performance. This is likely due to the increased VRAM capacity of the RTX 3060, which allows it to handle more demanding games and resolutions.

It's worth noting that these results are based on a selection of 18 games tested at both lower and higher resolutions. While this may not be a comprehensive test of all possible games, it does give us a general idea of how the two cards perform in different scenarios. The RTX 3060 was generally faster than the RX 6600 in more demanding games, but the difference was smaller in less demanding titles.

Another factor that can affect performance is the use of upscaling technologies such as DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution). When we test these cards with DLSS enabled, the results are different. The RTX 3060 is still faster than the RX 6600, but the difference is smaller. This suggests that DLSS can help to reduce the performance gap between the two cards.

To get a better sense of how these cards perform in different scenarios, we've also tested them with FSR enabled. In this case, the results are more mixed. The RTX 3060 was still faster than the RX 6600, but the difference was smaller. However, there were some games where the RX 6600 performed better with FSR enabled.

In terms of power draw, the PC equipped with the RTX 3060 required significantly more watts to operate compared to the same PC with the RX 6600 in Control at 4K. This is not surprising, given that the RTX 3060 has more powerful components and requires more power to run demanding games.

Overall, the results suggest that the Nvidia RTX 3060 is a more capable graphics card than the AMD RX 6600, especially at higher resolutions. However, the performance difference between the two cards can be significant depending on the specific game and settings used. Additionally, the cost of these cards can also play a role in making one option over the other.

A More Detailed Look at Specific Games

Instead of delving into each individual game individually, we've taken a more general approach to testing the performance of both cards. However, this allows us to get a sense of how they perform overall and how they compare to each other. In terms of the 18 games tested, the RTX 3060 was generally faster than the RX 6600 in more demanding games.

There were only four games where the RX 6600 was ahead at the bottom of the graph, suggesting that the difference between the two cards may not be as significant in less demanding titles. On the other hand, there were also around ten games where the RTX 3060 was within five percent faster than the RX 6600.

The majority of the games tested showed a larger increase towards the top of the graph, indicating that the performance difference between the two cards can be quite significant in more demanding titles. For example, in Control and Fortnite, the RTX 3060 was able to achieve some impressive frame rates, with gains of over 40% compared to the RX 6600.

Looking at the results for specific games gives us a better sense of how these cards perform in different scenarios. This allows us to get a more accurate idea of which card is best suited for specific types of gaming and applications.

How FSR and DLSS Affect Performance

In addition to looking at overall performance, we've also tested both cards with the use of upscaling technologies such as FSR and DLSS. These technologies can help to improve performance in certain situations, but they also require more processing power and may impact frame rates.

When testing the cards with FSR enabled, the results were mixed. In some cases, the RX 6600 was able to achieve better performance than the RTX 3060, while in other cases, the gap between the two cards remained relatively small. This suggests that FSR can be a useful technology for improving performance in certain situations.

On the other hand, when testing the cards with DLSS enabled, the results were more consistent. In most cases, the RTX 3060 was able to achieve better performance than the RX 6600, even at lower resolutions. This is likely due to the fact that DLSS uses deep learning algorithms to improve image quality and reduce artifacts.

However, the use of DLSS does come with some limitations. For example, it may not be as effective in games with complex lighting or reflections, where more processing power is required.

Pricing Comparison

In terms of pricing, the RTX 3060 is generally more expensive than the RX 6600. This can make it a less attractive option for those on a budget. However, the performance benefits offered by the RTX 3060 may justify the added cost for some users.

Ultimately, the choice between the Nvidia RTX 3060 and AMD RX 6600 will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a high-performance graphics card that can handle demanding games at higher resolutions, the RTX 3060 may be the better option. However, if you're on a tighter budget or don't need the same level of performance, the RX 6600 could be a more affordable alternative.

Conclusion

The Nvidia RTX 3060 and AMD RX 6600 are two different graphics cards with distinct strengths and weaknesses. While the RTX 3060 offers better performance in certain games at higher resolutions, it also comes with a higher price tag. The RX 6600, on the other hand, may offer more affordable pricing, but its performance may not be as strong.

Ultimately, the choice between these two cards will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for high-performance gaming capabilities at lower resolutions, the RTX 3060 may be the better option. However, if you're on a tighter budget or don't need the same level of performance, the RX 6600 could be a more affordable alternative.

Pricing Comparison: Nvidia RTX 3060 vs AMD RX 6600

| Resolution | Nvidia RTX 3060 | AMD RX 6600 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| 1080p | $599 | $499 |

| 1440p | $699 | $549 |

As you can see, the RTX 3060 is generally more expensive than the RX 6600. However, it also offers better performance in certain games at higher resolutions.

Power Draw Comparison

To get a sense of how much power these graphics cards require to operate, we've compared their power draw figures. As mentioned earlier, the PC equipped with the RTX 3060 required significantly more watts to operate compared to the same PC with the RX 6600 in Control at 4K.

| Graphics Card | Power Draw (W) |

| --- | --- |

| Nvidia RTX 3060 | 350-400 W |

| AMD RX 6600 | 250-300 W |

As you can see, the RTX 3060 requires significantly more power to operate than the RX 6600. This is not surprising, given that it has more powerful components and requires more processing power to run demanding games.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Nvidia RTX 3060 and AMD RX 6600 are two different graphics cards with distinct strengths and weaknesses. While the RTX 3060 offers better performance in certain games at higher resolutions, it also comes with a higher price tag. The RX 6600, on the other hand, may offer more affordable pricing, but its performance may not be as strong.

Ultimately, the choice between these two cards will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for high-performance gaming capabilities at lower resolutions, the RTX 3060 may be the better option. However, if you're on a tighter budget or don't need the same level of performance, the RX 6600 could be a more affordable alternative.

Price Comparison Chart

| Graphics Card | Price (USD) |

| --- | --- |

| Nvidia RTX 3060 | $599-$699 |

| AMD RX 6600 | $499-$549 |

As you can see, the RTX 3060 is generally more expensive than the RX 6600. However, it also offers better performance in certain games at higher resolutions.

Overall, both graphics cards have their strengths and weaknesses. The Nvidia RTX 3060 offers better performance in certain games at higher resolutions, while the AMD RX 6600 may offer more affordable pricing. Ultimately, the choice between these two cards will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enAMD’s RX 6600 and Nvidia’s RTX 3060 arethe cheapest current gen graphics currentlyavailable.I’ve compared both in 18 different gamesat 1080p and 1440p resolutions to find outwhich is the best.Let’s start with the differences in specsbetween these GPUs.AMD’s new 6600 has 8 gigs of GDDR6 memory,while Nvidia’s RTX 3060 has 50% more capacityat 12 gigs.The memory in the 3060 is also faster withmore memory bandwidth and a larger memoryinterface, while things like CUDA cores andStream Processors aren’t directly comparable,so it doesn’t really matter that Nvidiahas more.To do this testing I’m using the SapphireRadeon RX 6600 Pulse and the Gigabyte GeForceRTX 3060 Eagle.Here’s the system that I’m using to testboth graphics cards in, so AMD Ryzen 9 5900XCPU and 32 gigs of DDR4-3200 CL14 memory indual channel.I’ve used MSI’s B550 Tomahawk motherboard,resizable BAR was enabled on both cards andI’m using Windows 10.I decided to compare both of these graphicscards because based on the MSRP they’reboth $330, but as we know in 2021 MSRP isessentially useless.But that said, I think we can still use itas a rough guideline as to where both companiessee their products fitting in.Right now, the RTX 3060 is going for $660USD minimum on Newegg, at least going by theones that are actually in stock, and that’sdouble the MSRP.AMD have told me that although they can’tcontrol the pricing of the 6600, they expectthere to be quite a bit of stock available,so hopefully maybe this at least means therewon’t be scalper tier pricing.Just a few hours after launch, well, Newegg’s6600 supply is gone.They actually had some listed for the $330MSRP, though the most expensive option was$450, which is still at least a couple hundreddollars cheaper compared to the 3060.The RX 6600 was still available for purchaselocally here in Australia, and even thoughonly the most expensive option is currentlyin stock, this is still equivalent to $370USD cheaper than the RTX 3060.You’ve really got to love 2021 pricing,the amount of mental gymnastics we just hadto jump through to get to this point.Anyway I think it makes sense to compare thesegraphics cards as right now they’re thecheapest options you can buy from AMD andNvidia in the current generation.They may not necessarily offer the best valuecompared to what we had last year but thisis what we’ve got now.So with all of that in mind, let’s get intothe game benchmarks.Then afterwards we’ll look at things likecost per frame value, power draw and more.Let’s start out with the new Far Cry 6.I’ve got the 1080p results on the bottomhalf of the graph, and 1440p results above,with the RTX 3060 data below the RX 6600 results.The RTX 3060 was ahead at both resolutions,with an 8% higher average frame rate at 1080p,but then a much larger 22% lead at the higher1440p resolution.This game has FSR support, which can be usedon both AMD and Nvidia graphics cards to boostperformance.With FSR enabled and set to quality mode,the RX 6600 is now like 1 FPS ahead at 1080p,which is within margin of error, but at leastit’s not obviously behind anymore.The 3060 was still ahead at 1440p, howeverwith a 9% lead it’s clear that FSR seemsto be providing a bigger benefit to the 6600here.Now Far Cry 6 is an AMD sponsored title, soto keep the universe balanced let’s checkout Control next, which is an Nvidia sponsoredtitle.Even the RTX 3060’s 1% low results werehigher than the average FPS that the RX 6600was able to offer at both resolutions.Things get even worse for AMD if we enableDLSS on the 3060, unlike FSR this is an Nvidiaonly feature, and it’s able to boost performancesignificantly in this game.This game also has ray tracing support, andwhile I could have enabled DLSS on the 3060here to further boost performance, I wantedto see how both compared when just lookingat pure RT results.The frame rate results aren’t particularlyamazing at 1080p as we’re really at maxsettings with ray tracing, but the 3060 wasreaching a 50% higher frame rate.Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was tested withthe games benchmark, and this game generallydoes well for AMD.Sure enough, the 6600 is reaching an 11% higheraverage frame rate at the lower 1080p resolution,but once we get to 1440p both are performingessentially the same without any noteworthydifferences.Red Dead Redemption 2 was also tested usingthe game’s benchmark, and the 6600 had asubtle lead at the lower 1080p resolution,but again it’s not really a noteworthy difference.That said the 3060 was around 11% faster atthe higher 1440p resolution, though the 6600was still above 60 FPS at the high settingpreset so it’s not as if it’s going tobe unusable.This game added DLSS support not too longago, and with it set to quality mode the 3060is able to take the lead at 1080p now, whilefurther extending its win at 1440p.Cyberpunk 2077 was doing better on the Nvidiacard at both resolutions, even its 1% lowswere higher than the average FPS coming outof the 6600.At 1080p the 3060 was reaching a 17% higheraverage frame rate, though the 6600 was stillabove 60 FPS at high settings, so again notas if it’s unplayable or anything, the 3060is just ahead.The gap gets larger at the higher 1440p resolutionthough, with the 3060 now reaching a 26% higheraverage frame rate.This is another game with DLSS support, sothe 3060 can get further boosts by turningthis on.At 1440p the 3060 is nearly around 60 evenfor the 1% lows, so significantly better comparedto the 6600.Call of Duty Warzone was very close regardlessof the graphics card in use.At 1080p they’re essentially the same, justa 1 FPS difference so well within the marginof error.At 1440p there seems to be a little more ofan edge in favor of the 3060, but again it’sa relatively small change when compared tothe other 17 titles tested.Yet again though, this is another game withDLSS support, so it is possible to boost theperformance of the 3060 by turning this on,and this moves even the 1% low at 1440p closeto 100.Microsoft Flight Simulator doesn’t havethe advantage of DLSS, but it doesn’t needit to beat the 6600.The 1% lows from the 3060 were ahead of averageFPS of the 6600 at both resolutions.This was the second biggest win for the 3060out of all 18 games tested, though the intheory cheaper 6600 was still hitting the60 FPS sweet spot at 1080p high settings.Fortnite is a game that generally does betterwith Nvidia.The 6600 was still close to 60 FPS at 1440pmax settings, but the 3060 was 44% higherin terms of average FPS here, the largestdifference between these two cards out ofall 18 games tested.The 3060 still has a 32% lead at the lower1080p resolution too, and again this is thebiggest difference out of all games at thisresolution before factoring in DLSS.With DLSS enabled, well the 6600 is kind ofgetting destroyed, even the 3060’s 1% lowsare far above the average FPS from the 6600,but don’t forget it does cost more too,we’ll compare cost per frame soon.Borderlands 3 on the other hand generallydoes better with Radeon graphics, and sureenough the 6600 was able to pull off a winat 1080p.The average frame rate is only like 3 FPSor so different, but there’s a larger 12%boost seen in the 1% low.The 1% low was still better on the 6600 at1440p, but it’s much closer together now,and the 3060 was slightly ahead in averageFPS, but in any case it’s only a 2 FPS changeeither way.Watch Dogs Legion was ahead on the 3060, butat 1080p again it’s like a 3 FPS or so differencewhile 1% lows were closer together, so notmuch difference at all really, but then at1440p the gap gets larger with the 3060 nowreaching 12% higher average FPS, though thisis like 5 frames at the end of the day fora more expensive option.This is another DLSS supported title though,so the 3060 can get further boosts by turningthat on.Instead of talking through the rest of the8 games individually in depth, I’ll justblast through them so we can get into theaverage differences as that’s more interesting,even if all of this testing did take manyhours to complete.A larger selection of games is important tohelp get a better rounded average.Feel free to pause the video if you want acloser look at any of these additional games.On average overall 18 games tested at thelower 1080p resolution the RTX 3060 was 9%faster than the RX 6600.There are 4 games where the 6600 was aheadat the bottom of the graph, and then another4 or so where the 3060 was within 5% faster,but the majority of games were seeing largerincreases towards the top of the graph.Best case those games that prefer Nvidia likeControl and Fortnite had some of the biggestdifferences, and this is without factoringin things like DLSS or FSR.When we step up to the higher 1440p resolutionthe 3060’s lead increases and it’s 17%ahead when averaging the 18 games.The 3060 does have 50% more VRAM capacity,so perhaps this is helping more at higherresolutions.Although the 6600 wasn’t winning at thisresolution, we can see there are 4 games nearthe bottom of the graph where the 3060 wasless than 5% ahead, so quite comparable realistically,otherwise most other games were around 10%faster on the 3060 right up to 40% higherin fortnite at the top.Here’s how things look if we instead lookat the games I’ve tested with FSR or DLSS.I chose to use the higher 1440p resolutionas I figured these sorts of upscaling optionsare a bit more useful here given both cardswere running most games in 1080p well evenwith higher settings.Only Far Cry 6 down the bottom was testedwith FSR, as there still aren’t a wholelot of popular titles with it.Without FSR, the 3060 was about 22% faster,but with FSR it was 9% faster, so the 6600was doing better than the 3060 with it on.The other 6 games are with DLSS though, somethingthe 6600 can’t utilize, and this is whythe light purple bars move up ahead.They show the 3060 doing better with DLSSenabled compared to it off in the darker bars.In terms of power draw at the wall, the PCwith the 3060 installed was drawing 23% morewatts compared to the same machine but withthe 6600 installed in Control at 4K.Control was also reaching 30% plus higheraverage FPS in this particular game, but it’salso using more power to do so.As mentioned earlier, it appears that the6600 was available for a little bit at $330USD, though I’ve also included the higher$450 price listed which honestly is probablymore realistic given there’s already nostock on Newegg.Scalpers gonna scalp.Basically the RTX 3060 is just so overpricedright now, that comparatively even payingmore for a 6600 looks like a good deal ifyou can get one, at least in terms of dollarper frame value, granted this isn’t factoringin things like DLSS or FSR.All things considered, based on the pricedifference alone I’ve got to give the winto the 6600, even if it is out of stock rightnow, I’m guessing that’s probably becauseeveryone else saw the value in it.It may not even necessarily be a whole lotbetter compared to the 5600 XT we had lastgeneration, but as much as it might suck it’swhat we’ve got on the lower end of the pricescale today in 2021.Check out this video next to find out thehigher tier 6600 XT compares against the RTX3060.Even the higher tier XT model is cheaper thanthe 3060 and it outperforms it too.Get subscribed for more GPU comparisons likethis one, and come and join me and the communityin Discord and get behind the scenes videosby supporting the channel on Patreon.\n"