I'm thinking of buying an RTX 3070 (Correction: RTX 3060)

Ron KnightsRon Knights Posts: 1,785
edited January 23 in The Commons

Correction: I'm looking at an RTX 3060 with 12GB RAM. I am a bit fuzzy-headed today.

 

I've decided that I want to move away from the onboard GPU on my home-built computer. I am using the computer as a multimedia server. I'm really interested in having the video quality to match my 4K TV.

I've been playing some 4K or UHD videos, and sometimes it appears the images are struggling to show up.

The RTX 3070 might be overkill for handling multimedia. But I could always remove the 1060 from my HP Envy, and swap it with the new RTX 3070. I'm not sure if HP has done anything to make swapping GPUs a problem.

Post edited by Ron Knights on
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Comments

  • PerttiAPerttiA Posts: 10,024

    The RTX 3070 has only 8GB's of VRAM and it isn't enough for DS+Iray anymore, go for the RTX 3060 12GB

  • Matt_CastleMatt_Castle Posts: 2,568

    Unless you really need the extra processing power, I'd generally actually recommend the 3060 instead - assuming you get your hands on the 12GB version (rather than the 8 GB version), that extra VRAM capacity actually makes it a surprisingly solid workstation card, and it will be cheaper than the 3070.

    The 30 series is all a bit weird because the 3060 was given a upgrade late in its development (possibly driven by the quoted specifications of the AMD line up that were announced at the time - the 60 tier cards are usually the bread and butter of the line-up that really makes the money, so being behind AMD was a bad move). It was much easier to turn it from a 6GB card to a 12GB card at short notice than it would have been to go to any intermediate size (because there are often different capacities of GDDR chips that will fit the same board slots, 6GBs to 12GBs is just swapping the 1GB chips for 2GB chips and updating the firmware, no other real changes needed), so the 3060 ended up with more VRAM than the next four cards above it in the range! (At the time the 3080 was a 10 GB card).

    So the 3060 is actually a really good "light" workstation card, and unless you need lots of gaming performance, I'd generally recommend it over the 3070. Having an extra 4GBs of VRAM certainly makes it much better for DS/Iray - a lot of scenes can easily exceed the 8GBs available on the 3070.

  • Forget about the RTX 3xxx cards.

    Consider the RTX 4060 or RTX 4060 ti, both have 16GB VRAM, and about $70-$100 more.  If you want more processing power, then consider the RTX 4070 or new RTX 4070 Super.  They are considerably faster than the RTX 4060s, but only have 12GB VRAM.

  • AgitatedRiotAgitatedRiot Posts: 4,437

    Ron Knights said:

    I've decided that I want to move away from the onboard GPU on my home-built computer. I am using the computer as a multimedia server. I'm really interested in having the video quality to match my 4K TV.

    I've been playing some 4K or UHD videos, and sometimes it appears the images are struggling to show up.

    The RTX 3070 might be overkill for handling multimedia. But I could always remove the 1060 from my HP Envy, and swap it with the new RTX 3070. I'm not sure if HP has done anything to make swapping GPUs a problem.

    I just gave one of those away; my 3090 was in RMA status until last Tuesday. I was missing the 16 GBs. The 3070 is all right; if you Daz much, I would go with something like 12 GB or more.

  • Ron KnightsRon Knights Posts: 1,785

    I apologize to everyone. Due to health problems, my mind is a bit scattered right now. I meant the RTX 3060 with 12GB RAM.

    My DAZ3D computer has a GTX 1060 with 6gb RAM. It actually handles everything I throw at it. I just wanted a more powerful GPU for the multimedia computer. Now  I can do a swap and help both computers.

  • PerttiAPerttiA Posts: 10,024

    nakamuram002 said:

    Forget about the RTX 3xxx cards.

    Consider the RTX 4060 or RTX 4060 ti, both have 16GB VRAM, and about $70-$100 more.  If you want more processing power, then consider the RTX 4070 or new RTX 4070 Super.  They are considerably faster than the RTX 4060s, but only have 12GB VRAM.

    With an older computer, I would choose RTX 3xxx over RTX 4xxx  

  • LeatherGryphonLeatherGryphon Posts: 11,510
    edited January 23

    Also, make sure there is room in your case for the card you choose.  Probably OK unless you have a small case or an odd shaped one.  A problem that I had with a graphics card was that one of the SATA sockets on the motherboard was directly under the end of the graphics card and I had to change the SATA cable plugged into it, to use a 90 degree bent connector to fit under the card.  Good luck finding your card.

    Post edited by LeatherGryphon on
  • Probably a "duh" comment, probably not, but also look at what power supply you need with it.

  • alienareaalienarea Posts: 526

    Ron Knights said:

    I apologize to everyone. Due to health problems, my mind is a bit scattered right now. I meant the RTX 3060 with 12GB RAM.

    My DAZ3D computer has a GTX 1060 with 6gb RAM. It actually handles everything I throw at it. I just wanted a more powerful GPU for the multimedia computer. Now  I can do a swap and help both computers.

    I'm using a RTX3060 with 12 GB Ram since 3 years and am very satisfied.

    Rendering scenes up to 9 G8 characters or 2 G8, 2G8.1 and one G9. Maybe more, haven't tried.

  • PerttiAPerttiA Posts: 10,024

    Korpin.Sulat said:

    Probably a "duh" comment, probably not, but also look at what power supply you need with it.

    At the moment, I have an RTX 3060 12GB, i7-5820K, X99, 64GB, 6 internal SSD's, 7 external USB HD's (powered by the PSU) running on a 750W PSU

  • Ron KnightsRon Knights Posts: 1,785

    My main emphasis here is the homebuilt multimedia computer. I want a GPU that will easily handle 4K video.

    The homebuilt computer is installed in a Cooler Master HAF XB EVO case. The case is approximatly a 15" cube. There is plenty of room. I have a 650W fully modlar PSU. I could easily replace the PSU.

  • PerttiAPerttiA Posts: 10,024

    alienarea said:

    Ron Knights said:

    I apologize to everyone. Due to health problems, my mind is a bit scattered right now. I meant the RTX 3060 with 12GB RAM.

    My DAZ3D computer has a GTX 1060 with 6gb RAM. It actually handles everything I throw at it. I just wanted a more powerful GPU for the multimedia computer. Now  I can do a swap and help both computers.

    I'm using a RTX3060 with 12 GB Ram since 3 years and am very satisfied.

    Rendering scenes up to 9 G8 characters or 2 G8, 2G8.1 and one G9. Maybe more, haven't tried.

    This scene had at one point two more G8 characters and a Dog 8 in it, nothing is hidden, the whole town is there and it still rendered on GPU (RTX 3060 12GB)

     

  • PerttiA said:

    alie

    This scene had at one point two more G8 characters and a Dog 8 in it, nothing is hidden, the whole town is there and it still rendered on GPU (RTX 3060 12GB)

     

    A tribute to my absolute favoritest game ever.

  • Ron KnightsRon Knights Posts: 1,785

    PerttiA, that's a good image.

    Right now I just want to get a great GPU for my multimedia computer. The RTX 3060 looks appealing.

  • crosswindcrosswind Posts: 6,978

    Ron Knights said:

    PerttiA, that's a good image.

    Right now I just want to get a great GPU for my multimedia computer. The RTX 3060 looks appealing.

    As per your case, I also think RTX 3060 12GB will be a good choice ~~

  • Ron KnightsRon Knights Posts: 1,785

    Thanks, crosswind

  • AgitatedRiotAgitatedRiot Posts: 4,437
    edited January 24

    Ron Knights said:

    My main emphasis here is the homebuilt multimedia computer. I want a GPU that will easily handle 4K video.

    The homebuilt computer is installed in a Cooler Master HAF XB EVO case. The case is approximatly a 15" cube. There is plenty of room. I have a 650W fully modlar PSU. I could easily replace the PSU.

    Specs of the 3060 are 170 W max power draw, always allowing some headroom.  

     

    I don't know where you are located, but over at Newegg, they are running around 300 US. Amazon Also.

    Post edited by AgitatedRiot on
  • nakamuram002nakamuram002 Posts: 788
    edited January 24

    PerttiA said:

    nakamuram002 said:

    Forget about the RTX 3xxx cards.

    Consider the RTX 4060 or RTX 4060 ti, both have 16GB VRAM, and about $70-$100 more.  If you want more processing power, then consider the RTX 4070 or new RTX 4070 Super.  They are considerably faster than the RTX 4060s, but only have 12GB VRAM.

    With an older computer, I would choose RTX 3xxx over RTX 4xxx  

    Why?  The RTX 4060 uses LESS power than the RTX 3060.  A 550W PS is what NVidia recommends for the RTX 4060.  THey recommend a 650W PS for the RTX 4070, so Ron's PS may be borderline.

    Post edited by nakamuram002 on
  • ArtAngelArtAngel Posts: 1,694

    Ron Knights said:

    Correction: I'm looking at an RTX 3060 with 12GB RAM. I am a bit fuzzy-headed today.

     

    I've decided that I want to move away from the onboard GPU on my home-built computer. I am using the computer as a multimedia server. I'm really interested in having the video quality to match my 4K TV.

    I've been playing some 4K or UHD videos, and sometimes it appears the images are struggling to show up.

    The RTX 3070 might be overkill for handling multimedia. But I could always remove the 1060 from my HP Envy, and swap it with the new RTX 3070. I'm not sure if HP has done anything to make swapping GPUs a problem.

    Not sure what you have (are replacing) so forgive me if I am posting useless info. I have dual Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti cards in my other pc which has a super amazing motherboard. This PC has dual 1080 Ti Cards. Each RTX2080TI has 11GB of GDDR6 VRAM the 3070 has only 8. But if your only concern is a higher resolution at 4K the newer version is a better option. If you are focused on 3D performance, for rendering and modelling, that's a VRAM intensive task amd that extra memory (RX2080TI) makes a huge  difference in performance (large textures etc) . This holds true for Blender too. I bought/preordered mine new but Newegg should have some at steal deals.

    1080TI.JPG
    1088 x 1284 - 136K
    2080.JPG
    1303 x 1137 - 155K
  • Ron KnightsRon Knights Posts: 1,785
    edited January 24

    My multimedia computer is using an onboard GPU. I don't use it for DAZ Studio. It is multimedia only.

    I can replace the PSU. I just need to include it in my planned budget.

    (Just added): I'm thinking my 650w PSU isn't strong enough to handle my current tasks. I might replace the PSU before I consider getting a new GPU. I need to come up with a strategy for limited financial resources.

    Post edited by Ron Knights on
  • WendyLuvsCatzWendyLuvsCatz Posts: 38,219
    edited January 24

    you can always underclock your card like I have to my 2080Ti or it will blackscreen my PC if it draws over 300W

    (I say blacksceen but it's just the monitor, because the card stops working the PC actually still is running and now I have one monitor on the motherboard I can actually use that and still shut it down etc)

    it saves heaps of electricity too

    I flattened the board wattage draw with MSI Afterburner and it works perfectly fine

    Post edited by WendyLuvsCatz on
  • PerttiAPerttiA Posts: 10,024

    nakamuram002 said:

    PerttiA said:

    nakamuram002 said:

    Forget about the RTX 3xxx cards.

    Consider the RTX 4060 or RTX 4060 ti, both have 16GB VRAM, and about $70-$100 more.  If you want more processing power, then consider the RTX 4070 or new RTX 4070 Super.  They are considerably faster than the RTX 4060s, but only have 12GB VRAM.

    With an older computer, I would choose RTX 3xxx over RTX 4xxx  

    Why?  The RTX 4060 uses LESS power than the RTX 3060.  A 550W PS is what NVidia recommends for the RTX 4060.  THey recommend a 650W PS for the RTX 4070, so Ron's PS may be borderline.

    And you are sure that the RTX 4xxx with it's newer generation technology does work with OP's motherboard and the OS he's running?

  • Ron KnightsRon Knights Posts: 1,785

    I have Windows 10on this computer. 

  • PerttiAPerttiA Posts: 10,024

    Ron Knights said:

    I have Windows 10on this computer. 

    The bigger question is the motherboard, especially if it's HP or other similar propriety design with customized Bios.

    The RTX 3060 12GB would be a lot safer bet than anything from the RTX 4xxx series.

  • AgitatedRiotAgitatedRiot Posts: 4,437
    edited January 24

    Ron Knights said:

    My multimedia computer is using an onboard GPU. I don't use it for DAZ Studio. It is multimedia only.

    I can replace the PSU. I just need to include it in my planned budget.

    (Just added): I'm thinking my 650w PSU isn't strong enough to handle my current tasks. I might replace the PSU before I consider getting a new GPU. I need to come up with a strategy for limited financial resources.

    At least use a power Calculator to figure out the power situation first. Power Supply Calculator - PSU Calculator | OuterVision 

    Do you live in the States?

     

     

     

    Post edited by AgitatedRiot on
  • I went from a GTX 1060 to an RTX 3060. It was a good move, about 4x faster when rendering. Have you got enough RAM to use it fully? May be something to think of/save up for in the future if you haven't - ideally you'll want around 3x the VRAM, so 32 Gb won't quite allow you to push the card to its limits on some occasions - though it's unlikely to be often if you don't currently max out your GTX 1060.

    If you go with it, all the best.

    Richard

  • Ron KnightsRon Knights Posts: 1,785
    edited January 24

    The motherboard is an MSI Performance AMD X470 Ryzen with an AMD Ryzen 3 CPU. (I really get lost in all those descriptive terms.) It has on-board graphics.

    (Edited to add:) I have 32GB of RAM.

    I'm sorry I can't handle power supply calculations. I have a hard time getting my mind to work for anything too complex. I've had terrible sinus problems for years. I'm pretty much incapacitated.

    I haven't used DAZ Studio in a year or so. Right now my emphasis is on using the home-built computer for multimedia.

    Post edited by Ron Knights on
  • NylonGirlNylonGirl Posts: 1,817

    Ron Knights said:

    My multimedia computer is using an onboard GPU. I don't use it for DAZ Studio. It is multimedia only.

    I can replace the PSU. I just need to include it in my planned budget.

    (Just added): I'm thinking my 650w PSU isn't strong enough to handle my current tasks. I might replace the PSU before I consider getting a new GPU. I need to come up with a strategy for limited financial resources.

    If you only intend to use the computer for music and videos, then I don't think you need discreet graphics at all. If the computer won't play 4K video then maybe your problem is somewhere else. I'm pretty sure there are cellphones the same age as your computer that can play 4K video.

    Maybe you have a software issue that is bogging things down. Or maybe you have a video player that is trying to render the video using just the CPU and not configured to use hardware acceleration.

    Maybe something's going on that prevents the video from loading from the hard drive fast enough. I bet antivirus software would do that.

  • AgitatedRiotAgitatedRiot Posts: 4,437

    Ron Knights said:

    The motherboard is an MSI Performance AMD X470 Ryzen with an AMD Ryzen 3 CPU. (I really get lost in all those descriptive terms.) It has on-board graphics.

    (Edited to add:) I have 32GB of RAM.

    I'm sorry I can't handle power supply calculations. I have a hard time getting my mind to work for anything too complex. I've had terrible sinus problems for years. I'm pretty much incapacitated.

    I haven't used DAZ Studio in a year or so. Right now my emphasis is on using the home-built computer for multimedia.

    If you don't do  DAZ anymore, then this will do. Cheap and effective.

    GTX 1050 Ti 4GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Graphics Card (Quick Heat Dissipation Gaming OC) - Walmart.com

  • nakamuram002nakamuram002 Posts: 788
    edited January 24

    PerttiA said:

    nakamuram002 said:

    PerttiA said:

    nakamuram002 said:

    Forget about the RTX 3xxx cards.

    Consider the RTX 4060 or RTX 4060 ti, both have 16GB VRAM, and about $70-$100 more.  If you want more processing power, then consider the RTX 4070 or new RTX 4070 Super.  They are considerably faster than the RTX 4060s, but only have 12GB VRAM.

    With an older computer, I would choose RTX 3xxx over RTX 4xxx  

    Why?  The RTX 4060 uses LESS power than the RTX 3060.  A 550W PS is what NVidia recommends for the RTX 4060.  THey recommend a 650W PS for the RTX 4070, so Ron's PS may be borderline.

    And you are sure that the RTX 4xxx with it's newer generation technology does work with OP's motherboard and the OS he's running?

    Ron has an AMD X470 Motherboard (which SHOULD be compatible as long as it has a PCIE 16x slot), a 650W Modular Power Supply, and Win10 so he should be OK with an RTX 4060.  Make sure that the case has enough room and that the cooling is adequate.  Same checks should be made with the RTX 3060.

     

    Post edited by nakamuram002 on
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