EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC BLACK GAMING
Since there is no Founders Edition this time, NVIDIA sent us a retail card. We have the EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC BLACK GAMING (part number 12G-P5-3655-KR) video card with 12GB GDDR6 and Dual-Fan. EVGA informs us that the MSRP on this specific video card will be $329.99, which matches the reference pricing from NVIDIA. Typically, we find the EVGA XC series cards in EVGA’s lineup at the lower-end of the SKUs, with the XC3’s above it, and then the FTW3’s at the top. This video card does support EVGA Precision X1 for overclocking.
This video card is not large, it’s quite short in length, which is a feature. It does not have RGB, it is instead a no-frills, just get it done video card. This is how EVGA puts it:
The EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB XC BLACK card is designed for no-frills gaming and high-performance without anything getting in the way. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB XC BLACK stays cool by utilizing two large fans without the need for a bulky, oversized cooler to ensure smooth performance.
The specifications on this video card have the Boost Clock set at 1777MHz which is the same as the reference specification. That means no factory overclock on this model. The memory also runs at 15GHz and it has 12GB of GDDR6, the same as the reference specifications. It requires a 550W or greater PSU. It only needs one 8-pin PCIe power connector for power. It has three DisplayPorts and one HDMI.
The cooling consists of two fans and EVGA has created an air-through PCB. This means that it has a cut-out in the PCB and backplate toward the end that improves airflow. It allows air to be pulled in by a fan and actually flow through the PCB and backplate out the backside. The air also passes over some of the heatpipes this way also. In this way, this video card follows NVIDIA’s design language this generation of allowing air to pass through the video card. It’s a nice touch to connect it to the RTX 30 series design language.
The video card is quite small, it measures only 7.94 inches in length, and 4.33 inches in height. It’s a dual-slot video card. The smallness is actually a great “feature” meaning it can squeeze into small case builds quite easily. The video card also comes with EVGA’s 3-year limited warranty.
You can see the cut-out on the PCB which allows the air to flow-through. It does end up blowing up through some of the heatpipes, but not all of them. Unfortunately, there isn’t a backplate on this video card, it would just be that extra touch, but understandable on this level of video card which is supposed to be at reference MSRP. There are four main heatpipes, which are in the center and make contact with the GPU, the other two are spread out on the side to move heat to the side of the heatsink. There is no RGB on this video card, it’s all black, and just does what it does without being extra. It does require one 8-pin power connector.
Also wanted to mention the packaging. The video card is sandwiched very well in a thick cushioning material, and then on the outside of that, it’s wrapped in bubble wrap. The box simply opens, and the video card is just in there, there is no box inside a box here.