RTX 4060 vs. RX 6700 XT – Which Budget GPU Is Better?

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  MSI GeForce RTX™ 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC

  When shopping for a budget GPU that is a part of the latest generation, the RTX 4060 is among the top choices for its balance of price and performance. The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC features a classic, all-black design with a dual fan stock cooler. This graphics card is modest in size and scale, making it a great, flexible option for various builds.

  Pros

  • Slightly Cheaper on Average
  • 4000 Series Card Utilizes DLSS 3

  Cons

  • Significantly Less VRAM
  • Not As Suitable For Older Systems

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  XFX – Speedster SWFT309 AMD Radeon RX 6700XT

  $339.99 $409.99 Save $70

  Pros

  • Great Value
  • More Efficient Memory Bus & VRAM

  Cons

  • Older Model
  • Out Of Date Microarchitecture
  • Slightly Less Powerful

Generally, when comparing the best budget GPU options, two models are always thrown into the equation first: Nvidia’s RTX 4060 and AMD’s RX 6700 XT. This should come as no surprise, as both of these cards are well known throughout the PC community for their respectable performance and affordable cost. This makes both of these GPUs practically a no-brainer for any person looking to upgrade their PC’s graphics card without spending a fortune on something like an RTX 4090 or 4080.

Although it is good to know that both of these budget cards are the subject of immense praise, it can be hard to make a final decision about which budget card is best in a specific circumstance. Especially because there is plenty of discourse around AMD vs Nvidia, and what specifications triumph over others.

Luckily, choosing between these two cards doesn’t have to be stressful, as Game Rant is here to help make the decision clear by laying out the advantages and disadvantages surrounding these two budget cards.

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Head-To-Head Comparison

Although the RTX 4060 is the newest of these two GPUs, the RX 6700 XT has a unique leg up in the competition. The RX 6700 XT is capable of outmatching the GPUs of Nvidia’s previous generation, all while comfortably going toe-to-toe with Nvidia’s latest budget GPU, the RTX 4060.

By observing the table of specifications below, it can be determined that these cards are closely matched in some places, and outmatched in other areas:

Performance

Comparing performance and output is a key factor when it comes to determining the better GPU. Given that the RTX 4060 is the latest model between these two budget cards, it should come as no surprise that the RTX 4060 shines in terms of visual fidelity and ray tracing, boasting more cores than its AMD alternative. By utilizing DLSS and Frame Generation technology found in Nvidia’s latest Lovelace architecture, the RTX 4060 provides crisp, smooth-feeling gameplay associated with high-end GPUs at a fraction of the cost.

It should also be noted that the RTX 4060 features AI tensor cores to support this technology, whereas the RX 6700 XT does not.

While the RX 6700 XT lacks most of the next-generation AI technology associated with the RTX 4060, it outmatches its competitor in sheer power and efficiency. This AMD card features much faster specifications, largely due to the increased 12 GB of VRAM and the faster 192-bit memory bus, which naturally significantly improves performance and speeds. Due to this, users opting for the RX 6700 XT will notice an increase in in-game FPS compared to the RTX 4060. This makes the RX 6700 XT a much more attractive solution for PC enthusiasts who prefer fast-paced games, like first-person shooters or racing games.

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Brand & Architecture

Another major deciding factor comes down to preference for either brand. Although some PC enthusiasts have their own unfiltered opinions regarding Team Red vs Team Green, those who are undecided can simply do the research on which card suits their individual needs best. Generally, one of the most important considerations to keep an eye out for will be the GPU’s architecture.

As stated previously, the RTX 4060 utilizes some of the latest technology found in graphics processors, Nvidia’s Lovelace Architecture. This newest architecture supports DLSS 3 and Frame Generation. Although there is some technical jargon involved when explaining the intricacies of this concept, users only need to know that this technology works by using AI to upscale what is being rendered, taking away much of the GPU intensity and power needed to naturally run at the same quality. Generally, users will find that AI-Upscaling helps to boost performance and frame rates.

However, it should be said that AI-Upscaling is still somewhat in its infancy as a concept, and some visual errors may occur during gameplay. It is not uncommon to experience graphical tears, stuttering or some other minor issues. Another drawback is that DLSS and Frame Generation only works on a game-by-game basis, as it depends entirely on the game developers having compatibility built into the game.

When it comes to the RX 6700 XT, users need to understand this GPU uses slightly outdated architecture, relying on AMD’s RDNA 2 rather than the latest RDNA 3. The major difference between these two boils down to AI-Upscaling, which is not a feature included in the RX 6700 XT. However, RDNA 2 still packs an impressive performance punch that is up to par with most of the latest graphics cards, featuring ample Ray Accelerator (ray tracing) cores.

Value

Before the launch of the 4000 series and Nvidia’s innovative Lovelace architecture, graphics cards had sort of reached a plateau in terms of performance. Finding a solid budget card can be difficult, even now, largely due to the marginal increases in performance between models that do not always reflect well in the price. That is why it is so important to compare budget graphics cards based on any discrepancies found in price-to-performance ratios.

Both the RTX 4060 and the RX 6700 XT are reasonably matched in terms of performance, with the RTX 4060 rising as the victor. However, the RTX 4060 loses out due to its native performance capacity, which may be a deal-breaker for some who rely on smooth and reliable frame rates.

Naturally, the prices of these cards tend to fluctuate, with the RX 6700 XT sometimes being the cheaper option when compared to the RTX 4060, or vice versa. That being said, the RX 6700 XT largely loses out on its reliability of value because of its age. Although the RX 6700 XT is a cheap, budget card now, it is only a matter of time before this GPU succumbs to market demand, resulting in a surge in pricing that does not reflect well with the performance.

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Which Budget GPU Is Better For Gaming?

Whether the user intends on building a first-time setup or utilizing one of these price-conscious GPUs to upgrade their existing build, both the RTX 4060 and the RX 6700 XT are great options for a GPU under $300, capable of supporting any budget PC build through a variety of next-generation games. When pitting the two choices against each other, it’s evident that the average player’s first choice should be the latest RTX 4060.

For gamers who want an affordable, future-proof GPU, the RTX 4060 is the way to go. Compared to the RX 6700 XT, there is a two-year difference between the first release of these cards, meaning that this card is only beginning to reach the mid-point of its lifecycle. Although this GPU lacks much of the VRAM associated with its alternative, its use of next-generation AI-upscaling technology helps to close the gap. The RTX 4060 also features a reduced TDP and required system power compared to the RX 6700 XT, meaning that this GPU is a much more versatile solution for the average PC build, generating less heat and only requiring a PSU rated at least 550W.

MSI GeForce RTX™ 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC

The Future-Proof Choice

When shopping for a budget GPU that is a part of the latest generation, the RTX 4060 should be a first-choice pick. For just shy of $300, the RTX 4060 features a great balance in price and performance, utilizing DLSS and Frame Gen technology to help bridge the gap between high-end performance, without the price increase.

Although there is a slight increase in price between the two cards, Radeon’s RX 6700 XT features an unbeatable measure of speed and performance that comes at a great value. Boasting 4 GB more VRAM than its alternative, the RX 6700 XT is a great choice for players who want a budget card that performs well under pressure, without any gimmicks. Although this card is a few years older than the RTX 4060, it has firmly held its place as one of the best budget cards on the market for many years.

XFX Speedster SWFT309 Radeon RX 6700 XT CORE

The Efficient Choice

$310 $410 Save $100

The AMD Radeon RX 6700XT has historically been a favorite among budget GPUs because of its unbeatable value and performance. Although belonging to an earlier generation, the RX 6700XT features more, efficient VRAM at a comparable cost, promising smoother performance.

Regardless of the card chosen, users can rest assured knowing that they will be backed by some of the greatest graphics cards available in the last decade. Both the RTX 4060 and the RX 6700 XT are highly regarded by the community as some of the best budget options available. Whatever the choice, players should consider themselves ready to take on whatever challenge awaits them in their gaming journey with stunning visuals that won’t cost a fortune.

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RTX 4060 Ti vs. RTX 4070 – Which Is Better For Mid-Range Gaming?

Nvidia’s cost-effective RTX 4060 Ti and RTX 4070 cards offer some of the best mid-range performance at an affordable price. How do they compare?

FAQ

Q: Can the 4060 do 1440p gaming?

Although not suited for 4K, the RTX 4060 is more than capable of crisp, quality gaming at 1440p.

Q: What CPU won’t bottleneck a RX 6700 XT?

An AMD Ryzen 5 5600 promises solid performance that won’t bottleneck an RX 6700 XT.