Hi there! If your trusty NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super is feeling outdated for 2023‘s hottest game titles, you‘ve come to the right place. We‘ll compare this card‘s baseline capabilities to 5 stellar upgrade options capable of maximizing performance.
Why Upgrade? Recapping the RTX 2060 Super‘s Prime
First, let‘s revisit what made the RTX 2060 Super such a solid midrange choice back in 2019. With 1920 CUDA cores, 240 Tensor cores for AI-powered graphics, and 6GB of speedy GDDR6 video memory, it could reliably hit 60+ fps in 1440p gaming. The Turing architecture also enabled real-time ray tracing in supported games for enhanced lighting effects.
For example, here‘s how it stacked up in benchmarks when new:
- Assassin‘s Creed Odyssey 1440p: 67 fps (high settings)
- Red Dead Redemption 2 1440p: 60 fps (high settings)
- Far Cry New Dawn 1440p: 88 fps (ultra settings)
However, now in 2023, even with some graphics settings tuned down, achieving smooth 60 fps gameplay at 1440p or 4K resolutions requires more horsepower. Next-gen titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring are far more demanding.
Let‘s compare the RTX 2060 Super to 5 exciting upgrade options and see how much extra performance is on the table!
Upgrade Pick #1: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT – Serious 4K Gaming Power
Our winner for best overall RTX 2060 Super upgrade is AMD‘s impressive Radeon RX 6800 XT. Here‘s a glimpse of what makes this card stand tall:
- 16GB GDDR6 memory – 2.6x more than the 2060 Super
- 1825MHz base / 2250MHz boost clock speeds
- Up to 512GB/s memory bandwidth depending on workload
- AMD Infinity Cache reduces memory latency
As you can see, those specs translate into some monstrous performance improvements! Check out these fps boosts in popular titles at max settings:
| RTX 2060 Super FPS | RX 6800 XT FPS | Percent Boost | |
| Cyberpunk 2077 4K | 32 | 88 | 175% |
| Elden Ring 4K | 48 | 98 | 104% |
| COD Modern Warfare 2 1440p | 67 | 178 | 165% |
You‘ll also see performance jumps in creative workloads like 3D modeling, visual effects, game engines like Unreal 5, and GPU-based rendering.
Worth the Investment?
At around $650-700 depending on promotions, the 6800 XT costs more than the RTX 2060 Super did when new. However, with over 2x frames per second across various games and future-proof memory capacity, it brings unmatched value this late in the graphics card cycle.
Unless money is no object, this is likely the best combination of price-for-performance available right now for elite post-RTX 2000 series gameplay.
Runner Up: NVIDIA RTX 3080 10GB – Raw Speed Demon
If budget isn‘t a concern and you desire uncompromising quality, NVIDIA‘s RTX 3080 10GB packs even more punch for 4K execllence. Let‘s analyze the specs:
- 10GB GDDR6X VRAM
- 8704 CUDA processing cores
- 1710MHz boost clock – Qualifies it as the fastest gaming GPU in existence!
- 19 Gbps effective memory bandwidth
Benching it against the 2060 Super shows astronomical gains:
| RTX 2060 Super FPS | RTX 3080 FPS | Percent Boost | |
| RDR2 4K Ultra | 26 | 76 | 192% |
| Horizon Zero Dawn 4K Ultimate | 42 | 86 | 105% |
The 3080 slaughters 1440p gaming as well, so it‘s complete overkill for that resolution. This chart-topping card is for the 4K gaming enthusiast who settles for nothing less than high frame rates on max settings across all titles.
And with a current $750-800 price tag, it comes at a premium matched only by its peerless performance. But if you have deep pockets and a 4K or 8K monitor to leverage, this GPU is an investment that will pay you back with silky smooth graphics for years.
Value Pick: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti – Excellent Sweet Spot for High Refresh Rate 1440p
If spending over $700 on a graphics card makes you queasy, NVIDIA‘s RTX 3060 Ti presents an outstanding middle ground. It retains much of the RTX 3000 series power at a more affordable rate. Let‘s analyze why:
- Uses Ampere architecture with improved RT / Tensor cores
- 8704 CUDA cores still pack a punch
- 1695MHz boost clock speed
- 8GB GDDR6 video memory
Here‘s how it outguns the venerable 2060 Super at 1440p resolutions:
| RTX 2060 Super FPS | RTX 3060 Ti FPS | Percent Boost | |
| Battlefield V Ultra | 92 | 139 | 51% |
| Borderlands 3 Badass | 57 | 92 | 61% |
Priced around $400-500, the 3060 Ti gives you great mileage for 60+ fps 1440p gaming while saving over the more premium cards. If you have a high refresh rate 1440p monitor, this GPU will let you take full advantage without emptying your bank account.
Pick #4: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT – Impressive Midrange Contender
AMD‘s RX 6700 XT proves you don‘t need the latest tech to compete with premium cards. It uses AMD‘s prior-generation RDNA 2 architecture but still holds its own. Review the vitals:
- 12GB GDDR6 video memory future-proofs this card
- 2581MHz boost clock speed
- 40 revamped compute units with ray accelerators onboard
- 192-bit memory interface width
Let‘s check those attributes in action for 1440p gaming:
| RTX 2060 Super FPS | RX 6700 XT FPS | Percent Boost | |
| Horizon: Forbidden West Custom High | 67 | 94 | 40% |
| Spiderman: Miles Morales Very High + Ray Tracing | 42 | 72 | 71% |
Available under $500 now, the 6700 XT competes favorably with pricier competitors, demolishing the RTX 2060 Super for similar cash. If you want solid midpoint performance without overspending, this card deserves your attention today.
Pick #5: NVIDIA RTX 3070 8GB – Performance + Future-Proofing
Our final selection earns a nod for blending speed, quality, and longevity. The RTX 3070 may split differences, but it adds unique value:
- Ampere architecture + upgraded RT / Tensor cores
- 2944 CUDA cores handle 1440p gaming with ease
- 8GB GDDR6 memory seems small but satisfies today‘s games
- 1725MHz boost clock speed
Let‘s examine the numbers versus the RTX 2060 Super:
| RTX 2060 Super FPS | RTX 3070 FPS | Percent Boost | |
| Gears of War 5 Ultra | 71 | 106 | 49% |
| Fortnite Epic Settings + Ray Tracing | 62 | 124 | 100% |
Valued around $600, the RTX 3070 maybe costs more than cards with better outright performance. However, you pay for more than today‘s speed. That 8GB onboard memory may be light for 2023 but gives this GPU legs for future title compatibility.
If you want lasting value from an architecture that ages like fine wine, the 3070 warrants inclusion. Think of it as an investment that returns reliable, high-end 1440p gaming for years rather than months.
Upgrade Considerations – Making the Graphics Card Decision That‘s Right for You
When eyeing one of these stellar RTX 2000 series replacements, first consider three essential factors:
1. Game Performance Targets – Are you playing older titles or want access to new releases? Do you need higher frame rates for a high refresh monitor? Know the visual performance you expect.
2. Monitor Resolution + Refresh Rate – Cards like the RTX 3080 hit their full potential at 4K resolution. And high refresh 1440p displays demand extra bandwidth. Select power appropriate for the monitor(s) you use.
3. Budget Limits – Of course what you can or want to spend impacts options. Set a firm ceiling and find cards at that price that best fit your other needs. Value matters too!
You‘ll also want to check full system compatibility. Most modern setups won‘t present issues, but always confirm:
- Graphics card dimensions fit your PC case
- Supported PCIe generation matches your motherboard
- Power supply capacity meets the card‘s demands
Today‘s choices drastically outpace the RTX 2060 Super. And your favorite games will visibly shine, potentially even transforming into cinematic experiences with heightened effects. After installing a new GPU, be sure to download the latest drivers and firmware too.
Once that‘s complete, it‘s game time! Enjoy groundbreaking speed sure to redefine your gaming for years rather than months.
The Bottom Line – Massive Leaps Await in Performance, Beauty, and Ultimately Satisfaction
The RTX 2060 Super carved out a spot for respectable 1440p gameplay in its era. But by 2023 standards, it‘s overdue for replacement, especially considering advancements in graphics technologies and game developer ambitions the past few years.
Fortunately, whether you have $400 or $800 to invest, this guide‘s highlighted options demonstrate the tremendous value possible with modern graphics cards. You‘ll unlock higher frame rates, support for cutting-edge gaming effects like ray tracing or DLSS, and overall fluidity.
While onboard memory varies between picks, all feature ample capacity to satisfy today‘s top titles at target resolutions. These GPUs won‘t just meet current standards – they‘ll likely continue delivering elite performance for numerous generations.
The thrill of your favorite interactive worlds will only heighten after installing a new powerhouse card too. So if your RTX 2060 Super feels insufficient, use this resource to discover better choices meeting your needs and budget today!
Now let‘s recap our upgrade recommendations:
Overall Winner – AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
4K Gaming Specialist – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
Best Price-for-Performance – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Strong Midrange Option – AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
Most Future-Proof Pick – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
Still have questions? Feel free to drop them below!
