NVIDIA Set to Relaunch GeForce RTX 3060 12GB in June
NVIDIA is preparing to reintroduce the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB graphics card in June, according to recent confirmations from Chinese board channels. This move marks the return of a GPU originally launched five years ago, with several of NVIDIA’s established add-in-card (AIC) partners participating in the relaunch. Notably, GALAX—now integrated within the Palit group—is rumored to be among the partners, alongside industry leaders such as ASUS, Colorful, and MSI.
Potential for New or Legacy PCB Designs
One of the key questions surrounding the relaunch is whether AIC partners will develop new printed circuit board (PCB) designs for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, or if they will revive older designs that have not been in production for years. The reintroduced model will feature a 192-bit wide memory bus, maintaining the specifications that made the original RTX 3060 12GB popular among budget-conscious gamers and PC builders.
Return of Samsung’s 8nm DUV Node
NVIDIA will once again utilize Samsung’s 8nm deep ultraviolet (DUV) process node for manufacturing the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. This technology was previously used across the entire NVIDIA "Ampere" architecture lineup. The decision to return to the 8nm DUV node after several years comes as a surprise to many in the industry, highlighting NVIDIA’s strategy to leverage proven manufacturing processes for its entry-level offerings.
Impact on Upcoming RTX 5050 Models
The relaunch of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB also has implications for NVIDIA’s future product roadmap. Reports indicate that the rumored RTX 5050 9GB edition is currently on hold. NVIDIA appears to be pausing the transition from the 8GB RTX 5050 "Blackwell" version to a 9GB model, focusing instead on the reintroduction of the RTX 3060 12GB "Ampere" GPU. Since both GPUs target the budget segment, NVIDIA is expected to position the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB as its primary entry-level graphics card for the foreseeable future.
This strategic move allows NVIDIA to address ongoing demand in the budget GPU market while optimizing its manufacturing resources and partner collaborations.
