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GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER: Budget Turing tested in 14 games for late 2022
We're testing the GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER, a budget Turing card that's back in the spotlight after the crypto mining boom. Can it still handle 14 games at 1080p in late 2022?
When the GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER graphics card launched, it seemed like one of the best choices in NVIDIA's 2000-series lineup. Unlike its younger sibling, the RTX 2060, this 3D accelerator wasn't limited by a modest 6GB video buffer. It also boasted an increased number of execution units, ultimately allowing the RTX 2060 SUPER to deliver performance close to that of the RTX 2070.
However, to the great dismay of many gamers, the RTX 2060 SUPER's release coincided with another mining boom. Its extremely attractive specifications (8GB GDDR6 + 256-bit bus) made it almost the only profitable accelerator for mining most cryptocurrencies. Consequently, those who wanted to play modern games were left to rely solely on the simpler, 6GB RTX 2060.
Inevitably, the latest "mining era" ended, leading to a severe "crypto hangover." Graphics card prices plummeted, and the used market was flooded with tens of thousands of 2000- and 3000-series cards. As a result, the RTX 2060 SUPER once again became one of the best available GPUs in the $100-$200 price range, albeit on the used market.
In this article, we'll try to find out if the RTX 2060 SUPER graphics card, almost four years after its release, can still handle modern games at the popular 1920x1080 resolution with maximum graphics settings.
First, let's talk about the test device.
The Graphics Card
The KFA2 GeForce RTX 2060 Super EX - 1Click OC 8 GB (26ISL6MPX2EK) graphics card features a triple-slot design and a non-reference PCB built with high-quality components. Its dimensions are substantial: 295x143x52mm. Be aware that this adapter might not fit into smaller cases. Furthermore, the card occupies two additional expansion slots.
The graphics card is powered by two auxiliary power connectors: an 8-pin and a 6-pin. In practice, its power consumption shouldn't exceed 300 watts (150W + 75W from auxiliary power and 75W from the PCI-e slot). According to official NVIDIA specifications, the RTX 2060 Super consumes up to 175 watts, leaving a huge power consumption reserve.
Graphics Processor and Memory
The RTX 2060 SUPER graphics card uses a cut-down version of the 12nm TU106 chip, configured with 64 rendering output units (ROPs), 136 texture units (TMUs), and 2176 stream processors.
Specifically, our card features the TU106-410-A1:
⤢ ВІДКРИТИThe TU106 is paired with 8192MB of GDDR6 video memory via a 256-bit interface, consisting of eight 8-gigabit (1024-megabyte) Micron chips with the marking 9ZA77 D9WCW (MT61K256M32JE-14:A):
⤢ ВІДКРИТИThe nominal frequency of these memory chips is 14000MHz. KFA2 opted not to alter their frequency, leaving the GDDR6 speed at its base level. However, given the robust approach to cooling these memory chips, we find this a rather peculiar decision.
According to NVIDIA's factory specifications, the GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER graphics card should operate at frequencies of 1470–1650MHz for the GPU and 14000MHz for the GDDR6 video memory. Unfortunately, KFA2's engineers didn't boost their graphics card.
However, in the games we tested, the GPU frequency never dropped below 1830MHz, most often staying at 1875MHz.
⤢ ВІДКРИТИThe GPU-Z utility reports that the RTX 2060 SUPER supports technologies such as OpenCL, CUDA, Vulkan, Ray Tracing, PhysX, OpenGL 4.6, and DirectX 12 Ultimate.
Test Bench:
Processor: Core i5-12400F;
Graphics Card: KFA2 GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER;
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 (MS-7D25);
RAM: G.SKILL DDR4@3200MHz, 4x 4GB F4-2400C15S-4GNT modules, totaling 16GB (timings 17-18-18-38);
SSD: KINGSTON SUV400S37120G 120GB (Windows 10), KINGSTON SUV400S37240G 240GB + KINGSTON SUV400S37400G 400GB (Games);
Power Supply: Chieftec GPS-1250C.
Software
Operating system: Windows 10 x64 with the latest updates as of December 2022;
Graphics card drivers: NVIDIA GeForce 527.56 WHQL;
Additional software for FPS measurement: MSI Afterburner 4.6.4;
Games: testing was conducted on current game versions as of December 2022;
Game settings: testing was conducted at the highest possible graphics settings at 1080p resolution.
⤢ ВІДКРИТИBenchmark results
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
⤢ ВІДКРИТИThe RTX 2060 SUPER delivers 77 FPS in the latest Assassin's Creed installment, Valhalla. The minimum frame rate is also quite high, ranging from 62 to 69 FPS.
Beyond the classic benchmark, we also performed several runs in the open world, where the results often mirrored the benchmark scores.
Naturally, these numbers won't satisfy owners of 144Hz monitors. In our opinion, gamers with such displays should look towards significantly more powerful solutions like the RTX 3070 Ti or RX 6800 XT.
Battlefield 2042
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
The test graphics card handles Battlefield 2042 without significant issues. Even with RT enabled, EA's online shooter averages around 80 FPS. Disabling ray tracing boosts performance to an average of up to 90 frames per second, depending on the map.
Cyberpunk 2077
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
However, the RTX 2060 SUPER encounters some issues with Cyberpunk 2077. With ultra ray tracing enabled, the graphics card struggles even with DLSS set to Quality. While you can opt for the DLSS Balanced preset, doing so introduces blurriness and degrades overall visual quality.
Without ray tracing, the RTX 2060 SUPER performs more confidently, averaging 66 FPS with rare dips to 52.
Destiny 2
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
⤢ ВІДКРИТИDestiny 2 is a fairly old MMOFPS, so virtually any modern 3D accelerator can handle it. The RTX 2060 SUPER is no exception, averaging 120 frames per second with occasional drops to 90.
It's worth noting that Bungie's games are extremely CPU-dependent. So, if you're a fan of Destiny 2, you should invest in a powerful processor.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
Dying Light's sequel, much like Cyberpunk 2077, is a graphically intensive game, especially with ray tracing enabled.
Unsurprisingly, the RTX 2060 SUPER struggles here. With ray tracing enabled, the card averages 48 frames per second, with dips to 41. Switching to classic mode without RT significantly boosts performance, hitting an average of 64 FPS with rare drops to 55.
Far Cry 6
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
The RTX 2060 SUPER fares well in Far Cry 6. Ray tracing isn't as demanding here, allowing the test card to average a solid 67 FPS. Disabling RT pushes that even higher, nearly hitting 90 FPS. What's more, real-world gameplay performance is often slightly better than what the benchmark shows.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
The RTX 2060 SUPER shines even brighter in Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered. With RT enabled, frame rates hover around 74 FPS, while classic mode pushes performance past the 100 FPS mark. That's an impressive result, no doubt.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy delivered similar results. Even with ray tracing enabled, the average frame rate in this game remains more than comfortable. The project is incredibly well-optimized, meaning RTX 2060 SUPER owners can expect acceptable FPS even at 1440p resolution.
Saints Row [2022]
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
The Saints Row reboot wasn't particularly good, largely shattering fans' hopes for the "Saints." Sadly, this extends to the game's optimization. Despite its rather underwhelming visuals, it doesn't deliver the highest frame rates. However, as the screenshots above show, this isn't an issue for the RTX 2060 SUPER. The test card handles the 2022 version of Saints Row without significant problems, demonstrating around 70 FPS with ray tracing enabled and 80 FPS without RT.
Red Dead Redemption 2
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
⤢ ВІДКРИТИEven though RDR 2 launched over four years ago, this title can still bring most relatively affordable graphics cards to their knees. The game remains incredibly detailed and technologically advanced. The RTX 2060 SUPER manages around 65 frames per second, which is a decent showing. However, it's important to remember that Red Dead Redemption 2 features scenes significantly more demanding than those in the benchmark. Therefore, for a truly stable 60 FPS, you might need to enable DLSS in Quality mode. Thankfully, Rockstar added both AMD FSR and NVIDIA DLSS in a recent update.
Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
⤢ ВІДКРИТИTom Clancy’s The Division 2 isn't a new game, but it still enjoys significant popularity. This MMOTPS features a large open world, and with max visual settings, it's quite demanding on the graphics subsystem. The RTX 2060 SUPER handles The Division 2's action quite well, delivering an average of 82 frames per second with rare dips to 67-65 FPS.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
⤢ ВІДКРИТИWhile the PC version of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End only came out in 2022, the original game launched way back in 2016. Naturally, for the PC release, Sony slightly improved the graphics of Nathan Drake's fourth adventure, making the game look a bit better visually. In Uncharted 4, the GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER boasts 70 FPS, with rare drops to 65 frames per second.
If you need to boost frame rates, you can enable DLSS technology to get over 90 FPS.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Next-Gen Update
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
With ray tracing enabled, The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update proved too much for the RTX 2060 SUPER. It's not even about the frame rate (playing with a 'solid' 30 FPS on a gamepad would be perfectly acceptable), but rather the FPS stability: it's erratic, and the game constantly micro-stutters.
Without RT, it's a different story. In this mode, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Next-Gen Update runs excellently. FPS is high (averaging around 70), stable (minimum doesn't drop below 58), and most importantly, the game experiences virtually no stuttering.
Watch Dogs Legion
⤢ ВІДКРИТИ
Of course, ray tracing in Watch Dogs Legion by Ubisoft is much simpler than in The Witcher. However, even then, the RTX 2060 SUPER can't guarantee a stable 60 FPS with RT enabled.
Without the infamous ray tracing, the third installment of the popular French developer's franchise shows a significant performance boost. It's worth noting that without RT, the tested graphics card provides a perfectly comfortable framerate around 60 FPS.
Conclusion
⤢ ВІДКРИТИSo, after a brief test of the GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER graphics card, it's clear this GPU can still handle modern games at max graphics settings. Of course, titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Next-Gen Update, Dying Light 2 Stay Human, Cyberpunk 2077, and Watch Dogs Legion don't deliver the highest FPS with ray tracing enabled. However, without RT, these games run more than respectably.
