Palit has added a new GeForce RTX 3060 12GB graphics card to its lineup, bringing the five year old Ampere model back as affordable GPU choices remain under pressure.
The new Palit GeForce RTX 3060 Infinity 2 OC uses a dual fan cooler and arrives with a factory overclock. It is aimed at buyers who want dependable 1080p gaming performance and more video memory than many newer entry level graphics cards provide.
Palit follows other manufacturers that have recently introduced fresh RTX 3060 models. The return of the older card comes as strong demand for AI hardware and expensive memory continue to affect the availability and pricing of newer GPUs.
The RTX 3060 remains one of the most widely used desktop graphics cards. Its popularity is supported by its 12GB memory capacity, which is higher than the 8GB included with many mainstream cards such as the RTX 4060 and RTX 5060.
The RTX 3060 still provides practical 1080p performance
The GeForce RTX 3060 was introduced as part of NVIDIA’s Ampere generation and remains capable of running many modern games at 1080p.
Its 12GB of GDDR6 memory gives it enough capacity for high resolution textures and games that use more than 8GB under demanding settings. This can help reduce texture loading problems or sudden performance drops in titles with heavier memory requirements.
Palit describes the card as suitable for smooth and stable frame rates in mainstream games. Actual results will depend on the processor, graphics settings, game engine, and whether ray tracing is enabled.
| Feature | Palit RTX 3060 Infinity 2 OC |
|---|---|
| GPU generation | NVIDIA Ampere |
| Video memory | 12GB GDDR6 |
| Target resolution | 1080p |
| Cooling design | Dual fan |
| Factory overclock | Included |
| Ray tracing | Supported |
| DLSS | DLSS 2 support |
| Frame generation | Not supported |
| Multi frame generation | Not supported |
The RTX 3060 can also handle some games at 1440p when settings are reduced or DLSS is available. However, it is primarily a 1080p product by current standards.
More memory does not make it faster than the RTX 5060
The 12GB memory capacity is the strongest part of the RTX 3060, but buyers should not assume that it performs better than newer cards with only 8GB.
The RTX 5060 uses a more recent architecture and provides stronger performance in many games. It also supports newer NVIDIA features, including improved ray tracing, frame generation, and multi frame generation.
Those technologies can significantly increase displayed frame rates in supported games. The RTX 3060 does not have access to the latest frame generation features, which limits its long term appeal.
| Graphics card | Video memory | New frame generation support | General position |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 3060 | 12GB | No | Older value focused option |
| RTX 4060 | 8GB | Yes | Efficient previous generation model |
| RTX 5060 | 8GB | Yes, including newer features | Faster current mainstream option |
The RTX 3060 may still perform better in rare situations where a game exceeds the memory capacity of an 8GB card. In most other cases, the newer RTX 5060 should provide higher performance and better feature support.
Price will decide whether the new model makes sense
Palit has not confirmed the price or retail availability of the RTX 3060 Infinity 2 OC.
The card becomes attractive if it sells for less than $300. At that level, the 12GB capacity and mature drivers could make it useful for budget gaming PCs, especially for buyers who do not care about the latest frame generation technology.
The value becomes much weaker if its price approaches $350. The RTX 5060 is available near that level and offers a newer architecture, stronger ray tracing, better efficiency, and access to NVIDIA’s latest software features.
Some RTX 3060 cards are still being listed above reasonable budget prices. Buyers should compare the final cost with newer GPUs rather than choosing it only because it has more memory.
A used RTX 3060 may also provide better value, although second hand purchases carry risks related to warranty coverage, previous workloads, and cooling condition.
Strong Steam usage helps explain the renewed interest
The RTX 3060 remains one of the most popular desktop GPUs in the Steam Hardware Survey, accounting for close to 4 percent of participating systems.
That established audience gives manufacturers a reason to continue producing the card. Its performance is well understood, driver support is mature, and most PC games are designed to work on hardware with similar capabilities.
Newer RTX 50 series models are still building their market share. The RTX 5060 reportedly remains below 3 percent, although adoption should increase as more systems are sold.
The RTX 3060’s popularity does not automatically make it the best purchase in 2026. Much of its market share comes from systems built several years ago rather than new sales.
Palit’s decision shows that there is still demand for a reasonably priced graphics card with 12GB of memory. It also reflects the weakness of the current budget market, where newer products often provide limited memory or arrive at prices above what entry level buyers expect.
The GeForce RTX 3060 Infinity 2 OC could be a sensible option if Palit gives it a clearly lower price than the RTX 5060. Without that discount, its older architecture and missing frame generation features will be difficult to overlook.
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