The GeForce RTX 2060 Super is introduced almost a year after Nvidia unveiled its initial GeForce RTX graphics cards. This timing is not coincidental, as AMD is set to release its new Radeon RX 5700 and RX 5700 XT models on July 7. Aimed at competing with the current RTX 2060 and RTX 2070, which are priced similarly, AMD’s RX 5700 GPUs and the Navi architecture have the potential to narrow the performance gap with Nvidia. In response, Nvidia is proactively launching the GeForce RTX 2060 Super and RTX 2070 Super, with the RTX 2080 Super scheduled for release later this month, all to maintain its leading position in the graphics card market.
I would like to express my opinion on the Super branding, which I believe may rank among the most ill-conceived marketing strategies I have encountered in recent years. I am certainly anticipating the inevitable redundant nomenclature from EVGA, such as the GeForce RTX 2060 Super SSC (Super Super Clocked). However, setting aside the concerns regarding naming conventions, we are observing a slight enhancement in core counts.
This analysis will concentrate on the RTX 2060 Super, for which Nvidia has supplied its Founders Edition variant featuring reference clock speeds. A distinct review addresses the GeForce RTX 2070 Super, although it is also included in these charts. Below is an overview of the current RTX series, now enhanced by the introduction of the 2060 and 2070 Super models.
The Turing architecture utilized in the latest Super RTX graphics cards remains consistent with that of the current RTX series. This indicates that the hardware is equipped with RT cores designed for DirectX Raytracing (DXR) and Vulkan-RT, Tensor cores for Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and various machine learning tasks, as well as features such as variable rate shading, mesh shaders, and the ability to execute integer and floating-point operations concurrently. Although the specifications on paper may not appear to represent a significant advancement over the previous GTX 10-series, the GeForce RTX cards demonstrate a more efficient utilization of their hardware capabilities.
The 2060 Super is equipped with the same TU106 GPU found in both the RTX 2060 and 2070, although it is more akin to the 2070 in performance. It features 8GB of GDDR6 memory, providing 33 percent more bandwidth, which is equivalent to that of the 2070 and 2070 Super. The TU106 architecture supports up to 36 Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), with the 2060 Super having 34 of these activated. This positions it between the two earlier models, while the newly introduced 2070 Super utilizes a TU104 GPU with 40 enabled SMs, representing a slight downgrade from the standard RTX 2080.
The clock speeds of the RTX 2070 are marginally lower than those of the RTX 2060; however, the additional cores and memory are expected to provide a significant enhancement in performance. In contrast, the RTX 2070 features a greater number of CUDA cores, and the clock speed may vary slightly—either being lower or higher than that of the 2060 Super, depending on the specific model in question. For our evaluation, we are utilizing the Founders Edition variants of all RTX graphics cards, which indicates that the Founders Edition of the 2070 operates at a higher clock speed than the 2060 Super, with the reference 2070 achieving a boost clock of 1620MHz.
Regarding performance expectations, the RTX 2060 Super is anticipated to be slightly less powerful than the standard RTX 2070, yet it represents a significant improvement in performance compared to the original RTX 2060. This is reflected in the pricing, with the new RTX 2060 Super available for, while the standard RTX 2060 remains priced. This pricing structure positions the RTX 2060 Super as one of the most valuable graphics cards on the market. In contrast, the new RTX 2070 Super occupies the price range, which includes the Founders Edition variant.
Our gaming benchmarks consistently employ a Core i7-8700K overclocked to 5.0GHz to guarantee that the CPU does not become a limiting factor in our evaluations. Additionally, we utilize DDR4-3200 memory along with high-speed SSD storage. The benchmarking process incorporates the most recent drivers available at the time of testing, and we have also re-evaluated older GPUs to ensure that our findings remain current. All Nvidia GPUs were assessed using the 430.86 drivers, with the exception of the two Super cards, which were tested with the 431.16 drivers, as it is impractical to retest every GPU with the initial drivers provided by Nvidia. For AMD GPUs, we utilized version 19.16.2.
We have also revised our gaming benchmarks since the previous year; however, for the purposes of this review, we will not be activating ray tracing in any of the games. Currently, AMD lacks support for DXR (DirectX Raytracing) or Vulkan-RT, and it is unlikely that this will change until next year. The same applies to our testing with DLSS. We have previously examined the performance of ray tracing and DLSS in major titles and will persist in doing so as new games are released, but our aim is to provide direct comparisons for our graphics card evaluations.
This does not imply that ray tracing support is insignificant. In the last ten months, three prominent games have introduced ray tracing capabilities: Battlefield V, Metro Exodus, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Additionally, there are titles such as Quake 2 RTX and the Korean MMO Justice, with more games on the horizon. Wolfenstein: Youngblood is set to be the next release at the end of this month, followed by Control in August, Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries in September, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare in October, and Doom Eternal in November.
The significance of these games in relation to the necessity of an RTX card remains uncertain. As we look ahead to 2020, titles such as Vampire: the Masquerade—Bloodlines 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 are certainly among my most anticipated games. Additionally, there are other noteworthy titles like Watch Dogs: Legion and Atomic Heart. Although the current selection of games that utilize ray tracing technology is limited, it is worth noting that there are already more titles employing DXR within a year of its introduction than there were for DX12 in its first year of availability.
In our GPU benchmarking process, we are evaluating 11 games, featuring a balanced selection of titles endorsed by both AMD and Nvidia. The majority of these tests employ DirectX 12, with the notable exception of Total War: Warhammer, where the performance in the “DX12 Beta” is significantly underwhelming on Nvidia graphics cards. Additionally, we are assessing some of Nvidia’s earlier generation GPUs, such as the GTX 970 and GTX 1060 3GB, using DX11 in several games, as DirectX 12 generally performs optimally on Nvidia GPUs equipped with more than 4GB of VRAM.
Each graphics card undergoes testing across four different settings: 1080p medium (or its equivalent), as well as 1080p, 1440p, and 4K ultra (unless specified otherwise). To ensure result consistency, each setting is evaluated multiple times, and the highest score is recorded. The minimum frames per second (FPS) is determined by aggregating all frame times that exceed the 97th percentile and dividing this total by the number of frames. This method provides a more accurate representation of the lower performance spectrum, rather than focusing solely on the single lowest framerate from a benchmark session. The results are presented, beginning with 1080p. The RTX 2060 Super is most effective for gaming at 1080p or 1440p. While 4K gaming is feasible at reduced quality settings (or with DLSS), more demanding titles, such as Metro, are generally beyond its capabilities.
Achieving 1080p at medium settings may appear to be a modest expectation for a graphics card price. However, it is important to recognize that ultra-responsive 144Hz gaming frequently necessitates a reduction in resolution and graphical settings, even when utilizing high-end equipment. While the majority of the games in our testing suite meet this standard, the more demanding titles, such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Metro Exodus, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, do not reach this performance level.
In summary, the performance aligns with expectations derived from the specifications. The RTX 2060 Super exceeds the RTX 2060’s performance by 10 percent and comes close to matching that of the RTX 2070.
Achieving 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second is generally not an issue for high-end graphics cards. However, for those with a 144Hz monitor, only one out of the eleven games evaluated manages to exceed 144 frames per second, which is Fortnite. Nevertheless, all tested games maintain an average of 60 frames per second or higher, although it is worth noting that Metro Exodus was assessed using the high preset, as the ultra preset does not significantly enhance visual quality given the decrease in frame rate.
The 2060 Super offers a commendable 11 percent increase in performance compared to the standard 2060. In light of the Vega 56 and 64, AMD’s forthcoming RX 5700 and 5700 XT now face a new benchmark to achieve. We will learn on July 7 how AMD measures up against the evolving GPU market.
Nvidia markets the RTX 2060 Super as a graphics card designed for 1440p gaming, and it typically performs well at achieving 60 frames per second. While a few titles, such as Assassin’s Creed and Metro Exodus, may not consistently reach 60fps, adjusting the settings can help achieve this target.
The increased resolution and the supplementary memory bandwidth provided by the additional 2GB of GDDR6 become more apparent when contrasting the 2060 Super with the standard RTX 2060. Currently, the average performance difference stands at 15 percent, with certain games demonstrating even more significant improvements.
Ultimately, 4K ultra resolution is not typically advised for an optimal gaming experience due to its high demands, which can overwhelm even the most advanced GPUs. However, if you are interested in previewing how games may perform at 1080p ultra in the coming years, it could serve as a glimpse into the future.
The average framerates throughout the testing suite have now significantly dropped below 60, with the 2070 FE maintaining approximately a 5 percent performance advantage. However, the 2060 Super markedly outperforms the RTX 2060 in this instance, boasting an overall lead of 21 percent. This advantage is attributed to the fact that titles such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Far Cry 5, Fortnite, and Shadow of War greatly benefit from the enhanced memory bandwidth offered by the 2060 Super.
The launch of Nvidia’s RTX 20-series left many consumers feeling disappointed, primarily due to the relatively steep prices. At the time of release, there were no games utilizing the new ray tracing technology, and the absence of demand from cryptocurrency miners further hindered sales, which fell short of Nvidia’s expectations. A year later, the situation has improved, with the 2060 Super emerging as one of the most cost-effective options within the RTX lineup. However, when evaluating the GPU solely on price versus performance, it may not represent an exceptional value; the overall system cost, however, presents a more favorable perspective.
The RTX 2060 Super can be evaluated from two distinct perspectives, and your overall impression of this new graphics card will hinge on the viewpoint you adopt. One perspective suggests that it offers a marginal increase in speed compared to the RTX 2060, accompanied by a price increase which may not be particularly compelling. Conversely, the alternative viewpoint is significantly more appealing: it essentially provides performance on par with the RTX 2070, but at a cost that. (It is important to note that our performance charts utilize an overclocked 2070 Founders Edition, while the 2060 Super operates at reference clock speeds.)
Although graphics cards such as the RX 570 offer exceptional value at their current clearance prices, it is essential to recognize that the RX 570 performs optimally for gaming at 1080p with medium to high settings. In contrast, while the 2060 Super may be priced at three times that of the RX 570, it delivers nearly double the performance, making it significantly more proficient in handling games at elevated framerates and higher resolutions.
If you have not yet found a compelling reason to embrace the ray tracing RTX technology, the 2060 Super is unlikely to alter your perspective. The primary consideration may be the availability of an exceptional ray tracing application rather than the hardware itself. While Metro Exodus benefits from ray traced global illumination, it still presents a visually appealing experience without it. Until a game is released that showcases ray tracing in such a remarkable way that it compels widespread upgrades, RTX will likely be regarded as a desirable enhancement rather than an essential feature. This situation may persist for an extended period.
The RTX 2060 Super remains a commendable graphics card. It outperforms the GTX 1080 while being more affordable, and it includes new features that could enhance future gaming experiences. Although we do not advise upgrading from a GTX 1080 to an RTX 2060 Super, it is a solid choice for those using older GPUs and seeking to invest or more in a high-quality graphics card. Additionally, it complicates the decision to purchase AMD’s RX 5700 series.
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