Nvidia have launched their new Super version of the RTX 2060, so let’s find what the
differences are between the original RTX 2060 and help you decide which you should buy for
gaming.
Let’s quickly take a look at how the RTX 2060 and RTX 2060 super differ in terms of
specs, note that things like clock speeds will vary between specific cards, these are
just the reference specs for each model. The super version has 13% more CUDA cores, a higher
base clock speed but a slightly lower boost clock speed. The super version also has 33%
more GDDR6 memory with a higher memory bandwidth, so this could be a better option for those
that have been concerned the 6gb in the 2060 won’t hold up long term.
For the testing I’m using the Gigabyte RTX 2060 Windforce OC and the MSI RTX 2060 Super
Gaming X, so both do have a small out of the box overclock, expect slightly different results
with different models.
The system that I’m testing with has an Intel i7-8700K CPU overclocked to 5.1GHz on
all cores in an MSI Z390 ACE motherboard, along with 16GB of DDR4-3200 CL14 memory running
in dual channel. You can check the links in the description for details on all of the
components as well as for up to date pricing. The same Windows and game updates were used
for testing, and for drivers I’m using the newest available at the time of testing, Nvidia
431.16, so let’s get into the results.
Let’s start out with Battlefield 5, and I’ve got RTX off for this first graph. In
all upcoming graphs I’ve got the RTX 2060 and Super versions towards the top for 1440p,
and the bottom for 1080p, while all games were tested with the highest available setting
levels. In this game at 1080p the 2060 Super was 12% faster than the 2060 in terms of average
frame rate, then this rose to a much larger 25% higher average FPS at 1440p, where the
1% low from the Super card was now even higher than the average FPS from the non super 2060.
These are the results once we turn RTX on, and interestingly out of all games tested
the RTX on results with the newer 2060 Super saw the largest improvement out of all games
tested when compared to the original 2060, so I suppose it’s good that the Super versions
seem to be improving on one of the key selling points of these cards. At 1080p the super
was 29% ahead of non super, then 33% ahead at 1440p.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was tested with the built in benchmark, which I’ve generally
found to smash the CPU more so than the GPU. At 1080p the 2060 super was 10% ahead in terms
of average frame rate, rising up slightly to a 12% boost at 1440p.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider was also tested with the built in benchmark, and there was
a larger difference between the two now. At 1080p the 2060 Super was scoring 16.5% higher
average frame rates over the original 2060, then 18% higher at 1440p, putting it above
average out of all games that I’ve tested.
Apex Legends was tested with all settings maxed out, and the improvements with the 2060
super were on the lower side here compared to most other games tested. At 1080p there
was just a 7% higher average frame rate, while at 1440p this rose up to a 12% higher average
frame rate.
Far Cry New Dawn was tested with the built in benchmark, and this is a test that didn’t
really see any differences between the two at 1080p. The average frame rate from the
2060 super was just 0.7% ahead of the non super, while it’s 1% low was actually below
the original 2060, however I’d consider both of these within margin of error. At 1440p
the difference becomes more clear, as the 2060 super was now 12.5% ahead of the average
FPS from the 2060.
Fortnite was seeing about average improvements compared to the other games covered. At 1080p
there was a 15% improvement to average frame rate, and a 17% improvement once we step the
resolution up to 1440p. Either card played the game perfectly fine in my opinion though,
even at epic settings.
The Witcher 3 was pretty much right on average in terms of improvement with the 2060 Super
at 1080p, with a 13% higher average frame rate. At 1440p this actually lowered a bit
to an 11% higher average FPS.
Ghost Recon Wildlands was tested using the built in benchmark. At 1080p with ultra settings
both cards were able to hit 60 FPS averages, however the 2060 Super was 13% higher in average
FPS, and then it had a slightly higher 14% lead once we move up to 1440p.
Watch Dogs 2 saw excellent improvements with the 2060 Super. At 1080p it got the second
highest increase over the original 2060 out of all games tested, with an 18% higher average
frame rate, with the 1% low nearing the average provided by the original 2060. At 1440p it’s
now in third place out of all games tested, with a 19.5% higher average FPS, and this
time the 1% low from the 2060 super was ahead of the average FPS from the 2060.
I’ve tested Strange Brigade with Vulkan using the built in benchmark, and this game
saw an above average improvement with the 2060 Super. At 1080p there was a 16% higher
average frame rate over the original 2060, and then 17% higher at 1440p, where the 1%
low from the super was only just below the average from the 2060.
Rainbow Six Siege was also tested using the built in benchmark, and in this title we’re
seeing a below average improvement from the 2060 super, with 10% higher average FPS at
1080p, and a 13.5% increase at 1440p.
CS:GO was tested with the Ulletical FPS benchmark, and is typically a game that is tied to CPU
performance, however I still wanted to test it to see what games that are usually more
CPU bound can expect. At 1080p the 2060 Super was 9% ahead of the 2060, lowering slightly
to an 8% increase at 1440p, putting it in last place out of all games tested in terms
of improvement with the super card.
In terms of overall improvement, over all 13 tests at maximum settings with a 1080p
resolution, on average the RTX 2060 Super was performing 13% better when compared against
the original RTX 2060 in terms of average FPS. It really does depend on the game though,
with RTX on we actually saw a massive difference in battlefield 5, while others like Far Cry
New Dawn, Apex Legends and CS:GO saw smaller differences.
At 1440p on average over the same 13 tests the RTX 2060 Super was now 16% ahead of the
original RTX 2060. In general we’re seeing a larger difference between the two, as 1440p
should be more GPU intensive when compared with 1080p. I’d consider either graphics
card to be capable at 1440p in most games too, and again the best result was with RTX
on in Battlefield 5, which is good to see for a product that has RTX in the name.
As for the differences in total system power draw the system with the 2060 Super was only
using 10 more watts while running the witcher 3 at 1440p with ultra settings. This is 4%
more power for a game that saw an 11% higher average frame rate when compared to the original
2060, so that doesn’t look too bad.
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to accurately test temperatures due to the differences in
coolers with these two cards, as a result my original 2060 was about 10 degrees higher
than the, it’s not an apples to apples comparison as my Super card has better cooling, despite
both running at 1871MHz in the witcher 3.
Now for the final difference, the price. I suggest checking updated prices using the
links in the description, as prices will change over time. The original RTX 2060 has an MSRP
of $350 USD, while the new super version comes in at $400 USD, so 14% more money for around
13% higher average FPS at 1080p and 16% higher at 1440p.
This doesn’t seem too bad to me, at least relative to Nvidia’s own lineup. If you
want more performance then you can pay more, and the extra performance seems to scale with
the extra money you put in. Realistically I still think the original 2060 is a great
option for 1440p gaming, and it’s worth remembering that I'm testing with maximum
settings here, so higher than what I’ve shown is of course possible with lower settings.
The extra memory with the Super version could be an advantage in the future though as more
games start needing more.
If you’ve already got a 2060 it doesn’t really make sense to upgrade to the Super
version, at least I wouldn’t personally be considering that as an upgrade path unless
you’re able to sell your 2060 for a good price.
From what I’ve seen, the 2060 Super appears to be closer in performance to the RTX 2070,
granted that’s being replaced with Super version for the same price. Hopefully I can
get AMD’s new RX 5700 to compare with in future, as it seems to perform quite closely
to the RTX 2060 Super in many cases for a bit less money.
If you were buying today let me know which card you’d pick down in the comments and
why, the original RTX 2060, or newer RTX 2060 Super, and if you’re new to the channel
consider getting subscribed for future comparisons and tech videos like this one.