NVIDIA RTX 3060 1440p Gaming Performance Tested in Modern Games

Real-world benchmarks highlight how the RTX3060 handles modern games with DLSS and optimized settings.

Hardware by Shinji Okazaki on Dec 31, 2025

There is a model of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, the EVGA XC 12 GB. The abbreviation "XC" in the name stands for "extreme clock." Despite the name's implication of "overclock," the actual increase in clock speed is only about 6%, which does not make much of a difference in the real world.

It works well in tiny-form-factor systems because it requires only one 8-pin power connector and doesn't draw much power. The design is simple, and it doesn't have as many unique features as those of bigger, more complex GPUs.

NVIDIA RTX 3060 1440p, Gaming Performance Tested in Modern Games, NoobFeed

Testing Goals and What Entry-Level Gaming Means

RTX 3060's purpose is to determine whether it is still a good choice for a modern entry-level gaming GPU. In this case, "entry-level" does not mean really cheap hardware like GTX 1060 or GTX 1080-class cards, which have clear limits on which games they can play. Instead, the focus is on whether modern games can be played without restrictions on what titles can run, but accepting limits on graphic Quality. The focus is on making current releases easy to use, not on getting the best performance.

Test Setup and Method

We tried all the games at 1440 p.m. We used DLSS in every game, generally with the Quality preset, though we used balanced a few times. In all situations, the visual settings were set to medium or higher. The goal was to test a situation almost as bad as possible so that players could choose between higher frame rates and better visual Quality.

The test system was purposely kept simple to show that it was not an overly powerful setup. The platform was an X299 system with a 9th-generation Intel Core i9-9820X 10-core CPU, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and an SSD for game storage. This processor is not as good as newer CPUs; therefore, computers with processors like the Ryzen 5600X or Core i5-12600 will work better. The goal wasn't to get the RTX 3060 to work as well as possible; it was to see how it performs in a real, older enthusiast system.

How Well Cyberpunk 2077 runs

We tested Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with high settings and DLSS set to the Quality preset. We ramped up the number of people in the crowd and started testing in the downtown area to show the worst-case scenario. The performance stayed around 50–60 fps, resulting in a smooth experience. At these frame rates, 1440p high settings are fine for a GPU in this group. Even in the worst parts of the city, the game is still fun to play and looks good.

How well Hogwarts Legacy works

With high settings and DLSS set to Quality, Hogwarts Legacy can be played at 1440p. Because this game performs effectively even at low frame rates, it is suited for individuals who are more concerned with the graphics' attractiveness than with the game's performance. At this resolution, the picture quality is still rather acceptable; however, it does not perform well at higher settings.

Performance of Clair Obscur Expedition 33

We tested Clair Obscur Expedition33 at 1440 p.m. with medium settings with DLSS set to high. At these settings, the game keeps its unique graphics. The performance is consistent enough to keep the game going, and the general look and feel stay the same without any substantial changes.

Performance of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

We tested Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered at its highest settings, with a 1440p resolution and DLSS set to Quality. The performance was around 40 fps, but when DLSS was set to balanced, it went up to about 50 fps. There aren't many visual distinctions between DLSS modes, which makes it easy to adjust performance. If you lower the settings to high or medium, the frame rate will improve further without a perceptible drop in image quality.

NVIDIA RTX 3060 1440p, Gaming Performance Tested in Modern Games, NoobFeed

The Great Circle and Indiana Jones Performance

We tested Indiana Jones and the Great Circle at 1440p with high settings and DLSS set to balanced. The frame rates were lower than in previous games, yet the game was still enjoyable. The game doesn't need high frame rates to feel responsive; therefore, it works nicely within these restrictions. Not a great performance, but it shows that the RTX3060 can still run newer, more demanding games at 1440p with some trade-offs.

Final Thoughts

RTX 3060 still performs well as an entry-level GPU across all the games tested. You can play recent games at 1440p with DLSS and medium to high settings without having to limit your choices. If you want either greater frame rates or better visual Quality, you can still use performance adjustment options. Even though it's old and has low specs, the RTX 3060 still delivers a full gaming experience at the level of performance it was designed for.

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