I've been using my GTX 970 (4GB) for about three years now, and I'm finding that programs like After Effects are running really slowly. Rendering times can go up to 6 hours, which is frustrating. I heard from ChatGPT that the RTX 3060 (12GB) is a solid budget option for around €230. Would upgrading to this card improve my performance for tasks like rendering and AI image generation?
4 Answers
While the RTX 3060 is decent, it's not the best bang for your buck anymore. The 3060 Ti or 3070 offer significantly better performance, especially if you're into demanding applications. But if 12GB of memory is really what you need, it could still be a viable choice. You might also want to check out the used market for a better deal on something like a 4060 or Ti, which would be a nice upgrade too.
If you're trying to stay on a budget, even a 2060 with 12GB would be a significant upgrade from what you have now. Just steer clear of the 6GB models; they really can't keep up with the current demands of modern applications.
Honestly, if you're primarily focused on rendering and AI, the extra VRAM of the 3060 could be beneficial. But if you can stretch that budget just a bit, looking for a used or refurbished 3060 Ti might give you a much better experience in the long run.
It really depends on your local pricing and needs. If your applications require CUDA or NVIDIA support, the RTX 3060 might be a good fit. However, if you're okay with AMD, those options can also perform well, possibly giving you more bang for your buck. Just be sure to check your software requirements first!
I'm only budgeted at €250, and my main uses are Blender, After Effects, and AI image generation. I've heard that having more VRAM is critical for these tasks, which is why I'm leaning towards the 3060 with 12GB.

True, but my budget is just €250, so I'm kind of limited. I’m just trying to figure out if the RTX 3060 will handle After Effects and AI generation well.