NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Graphics Card 12 GB

The GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB is a graphics card by NVIDIA, launched on December 7th, 2021. Built on the 12 nm process, and based on the TU106 graphics processor, in its TU106-300-KA-A1 variant, the card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate. This ensures that all modern games will run on GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB. Additionally, the DirectX 12 Ultimate capability guarantees support for hardware-raytracing, variable-rate shading and more, in upcoming video games. The TU106 graphics processor is a large chip with a die area of 445 mm² and 10,800 million transistors. Unlike the fully unlocked GeForce RTX 2070, which uses the same GPU but has all 2304 shaders enabled, NVIDIA has disabled some shading units on the GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB to reach the product’s target shader count. It features 2176 shading units, 136 texture mapping units, and 48 ROPs. Also included are 272 tensor cores which help improve the speed of machine learning applications. The card also has 34 raytracing acceleration cores. NVIDIA has paired 12 GB GDDR6 memory with the GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB, which are connected using a 192-bit memory interface. The GPU is operating at a frequency of 1470 MHz, which can be boosted up to 1650 MHz, memory is running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective).

Being a dual-slot card, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB draws power from 1x 8-pin power connector, with power draw rated at 184 W maximum. Display outputs include: 1x DVI, 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x USB Type-C. GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB is connected to the rest of the system using a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 interface. The card’s dimensions are 229 mm x 113 mm x 35 mm, and it features a dual-slot cooling solution.

Key Features:

1. Turing GPU Architecture

1. CUDA Cores
   • The 12GB model typically includes 2,176 CUDA Cores (a slight bump from the original RTX 2060), delivering parallel processing power for gaming, video editing, and other GPU-accelerated tasks.
2. Second-Generation RT Cores
   • Hardware-accelerated real-time ray tracing offers realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows in supported games and professional visualization software.
3. Third-Generation Tensor Cores
   • Enhanced AI capabilities power features such as Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and AI-based upscaling, increasing performance and visual fidelity.

2. 12GB GDDR6 Memory

• Expanded VRAM
  • With 12GB of GDDR6, this version of the RTX 2060 provides significantly more memory space than the standard 6GB variant, allowing it to handle higher-resolution textures, larger datasets, and more complex scenes.
• 192-Bit Memory Interface
  • A 192-bit bus and fast memory speeds ensure consistent bandwidth for modern gaming engines and GPU compute workloads.

3. Real-Time Ray Tracing

• Advanced Ray-Traced Effects
  • Turing’s dedicated RT Cores enable real-time calculations of lighting, shadows, and reflections, improving realism in AAA games and 3D applications.
• Hybrid Rendering
  • Seamlessly blends traditional rasterization with ray tracing for optimal performance and image quality.

4. Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS)

• AI-Upscaling
  • Tensor Cores utilize AI algorithms to upscale from lower internal resolutions, boosting frame rates while preserving visual clarity.
• Enhances 1440p & Beyond
  • DLSS helps sustain playable frame rates in higher resolutions like 1440p or moderate 4K, even in graphically intense titles.

5. Efficient Cooling & Power Usage

• TDP Range (~185W)
  • The RTX 2060 12GB typically draws around 185W, making it feasible for many midrange PC builds (recommended PSU ~550W or more).
• Custom Coolers
  • Board partners often release dual- or triple-fan models with optimized heatsinks, ensuring stable operating temperatures under load.

6. Connectivity & Monitor Support

• HDMI 2.0b / 2.1 (Varies by Model)
  • Allows up to 4K 60Hz on many models, though some partner boards may support advanced features like 4K 120Hz (check specific model specs).
• DisplayPort 1.4a
  • Typically includes multiple DP outputs for multi-monitor setups and high-refresh gaming at 1080p/1440p.
• NVIDIA G-SYNC
  • Synchronizes frame output with G-SYNC-compatible monitors, reducing tearing and stutter for smoother gameplay.

7. NVIDIA Studio & Creative Boost

• Content Creation
  • Harness GPU acceleration in creative software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Blender, DaVinci Resolve) for faster rendering, encoding, and effects.
• AI-Driven Tools
  • Tensor Cores support AI-based functionalities (e.g., background removal, style transfer) that expedite content production tasks.

Applications:

1. Gaming

1. • 1080p & 1440p: Perfect for maxing out settings in modern games at 1080p or playing at high/ultra settings in 1440p with stable frame rates.
   • VR Gaming: Provides the necessary performance for virtual reality titles, balancing visual fidelity and smooth frame rates.

2. Content Creation

1. • Video Editing: Accelerates 4K timeline scrubbing, color grading, and encoding in popular software suites.
   • 3D Rendering: Speeds up rendering tasks in tools like Blender or 3ds Max, reducing project iteration time.

3. AI & Data Tasks

1. • Machine Learning: While not a top-tier AI GPU, the Tensor Cores allow moderate deep learning model training and real-time inference tasks for smaller-scale projects.
   • Data Visualization: Supports complex data charts, real-time analytics, and GPU-accelerated libraries for scientific research.

4. Professional Visualization

1. • Architectural & Engineering: Real-time ray tracing enhances design previews and product prototypes in software like Revit or SolidWorks (though more advanced professional cards may be recommended for mission-critical scenarios).

5. Everyday Productivity

1. • Multitasking: The expanded 12GB memory can handle multiple GPU-accelerated tasks concurrently, including gaming, streaming, or running office applications.

Why Choose the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 12GB?

1. Upgraded VRAM Over Standard Model

1. • 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM doubles the memory of the original 6GB variant, improving performance in memory-intensive games, workflows, and higher-resolution textures.

2. Ampere Ray Tracing & AI Features

1. • Second-gen RT Cores and third-gen Tensor Cores deliver realistic lighting and AI-based upscaling to future-proof your PC for upcoming titles and advanced tools.

3. Great 1080p & Solid 1440p Gaming

1. • Balances performance and power consumption, offering fluid frame rates in competitive esports and visually rich AAA games.

4. Improved Productivity

1. • Accelerates content creation, video editing, and moderate AI tasks, making it suitable for part-time creators or professionals on a budget.

5. Cost-Effective Entry Point

1. • Sits at a more accessible price level than higher-tier Ampere GPUs, delivering good performance for cost-conscious enthusiasts.