KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X graphics card review: Current entry-level GPU uses more power than expected

With the announcement of RTX 4060 graphics cards based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, the expectations were high. But after the first tests of the Ti models, it quickly became clear that you cannot expect much of a performance jump compared to the predecessor series here. Basically, this is also the case with the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X, which has to compete against a wide range of competitors in this test.

More on that later. But it is not all bad, and at least we see a fairly efficient model here that is currently sufficient for 1,080p gaming. It is well-served with 8 GB of VRAM, and more than that is simply unnecessary in this performance class.

As the graphics chip, the AD107 with 3,072 shader units is used. The VRAM is connected via a 128-bit storage interface, resulting in a storage bandwidth of 272 GB/s. This is significantly less than was still available in the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060.

But you should also understand that compared to the GA104 with the GeForce RTX 3060, the AD107 has a significantly larger L2 cache (24 MB vs. 3 MB), allowing the graphics chip to process more data internally and thus compensating for the lower PCI Express bandwidth. The KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X is an inconspicuous graphics card that almost completely forgoes elaborate RGB illumination.

Only the lettering on the side is discreetly illuminated. Those who like more illumination should take a closer look at the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 EX (1-Click OC). The power for the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X is provided via a 6+2 pin PCIe power connection.

The external connections follow the usual standard. You still have to make do without DisplayPort 2. 1, and displays can be connected via HDMI 2.

1a (1x) and/or DisplayPort 1. 4a (3x). There is no Founders Edition from Nvidia based on the GeForce RTX 4060, so the graphics card is only available from the other vendors such as Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, or KFA2.

Our test unit is an OC model, which also implies slightly higher clock speeds. At the same time, we only see slightly higher Boost speeds, which are almost always surpassed anyways. The “Extreme Tuner Plus” tuning tool also allows you to activate the OC profile, which gives an additional 15 Hz (2,490 MHz Boost speed) to the graphics card.

However, this doesn’t result in a noticeable performance increase in practice. As customary for KFA2, you can find out some information on the graphics card using the inhouse Xtreme Tuner tool. Among other things, you can also make some minor modifications in the clock speeds and adjust the power consumption ranging from 78 to 113% here.

The “illumination” segment is not relevant for this model, and you can only deactivate the available illumination of the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X directly on the graphics card via a slider button. In the synthetic benchmarks, we see that the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X performs at the same level as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super . Comparing it with AMD, our test unit is able to compete against an AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT .

The performance isn’t quite sufficient to beat the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti , and our test unit loses some ground here, with the older model being about 7% faster. On the other hand, the next faster representative of the Ada Lovelace models only surpasses it by about 15%. With the performance the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X shows here, it won’t have an easy time to compete against the more affordable AMD model.

You can save almost 50 Euros (~$55), if you are content with an AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT . Those who don’t want to miss out on the exclusive GeForce features have to pay more. At this point, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is available for about 300 Euros (~$332), but that doesn’t offer DLSS 3.

0. In addition, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti stresses the power supply more than a GeForce RTX 4060, which can be one of the criteria for the purchase decision. As an upgrade option, the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X is only worthwhile if you currently still use an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super .

Those looking for a graphics card for productive tasks should look for particular models that satisfy the planned purposes. As representatives, we included the two Nvidia RTX A6000 and Nvidia Titan RTX models in our comparison chart. AMD is also well positioned with its two Radeon RX 7900 XT and Radeon RX 7900 XTX high-end models.

Due to the low 3D performance and relatively small amount of VRAM, we wouldn’t consider the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X for professional uses. This isn’t a problem, since it isn’t the purpose of this graphics card. You can use the GeForce RTX 4060 for some smaller projects at home.

In the gaming tests, the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X places at a similar level as in the synthetic tests before. At eye level with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super and AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT , we find our test unit in the middle of the test field. While it is only slightly behind the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti , the MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ti moves noticeably ahead by up to 30%.

Looking at it subjectively, we see the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X exclusively in the 1,080p area. As always, the details depend on the respective game. At times, it is advisable to leave the slider controls at the medium to high detail levels.

If the VRAM is in short supply, the frame rates drop noticeably. The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti already had to struggle with this problem, which was even worse there. Basically, we don’t consider the 8 GB of VRAM of the GeForce RTX 4060 a problem, but you have to be clear what you can do with such a graphics card.

We don’t see the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X as a future proof investment. However, those who work with a low budget and still use a GeForce of the Pascal generation will get a good performance upgrade here, without consuming more power. Fortunately, Nvidia hasn’t removed the exclusive features of the RTX 4000 graphics cards from the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X.

However, you should still understand that activated raytracing will lead to a significant drop in the frame rates. We recommend the combination of raytracing and DLSS here, if the game offers this option. Currently, the number of games that support DLSS 3 is very small.

You can find a list on this page . In our opinion, a purchase decision for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 should not be based on the raytracing performance. Those who are looking for gaming enjoyment without any compromises have to pay a much higher price for this.

To measure the noise levels produced by the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X, we insert the graphics card into the open frame of an older AM4 system. During our measurements, the fans for the CPU and power supply are deactivated, so that we are able to only measure the volume of the graphics card. The fans remain deactivated in 2D operation, which is accompanied by silent operation.

Under low load, we note a low noise level at 30. 3 dB(A). However, during the stress test, the two 92-millimeter (~3.

6 in) fans rev up significantly. At 43. 5 dB(A), the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X is clearly audible.

We also notice some slight coil whine, but we wouldn’t call it annoying. KFA2 has equipped the GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X with two 92-millimeter (~3. 6 in) axial fans.

The distinctive fan design that we already saw in other RTX 4000 graphics cards is also used in this new entry-level model. As already mentioned during the noise measurements, the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X offers a fan stop mode, so the fans only start running under load. The thermal limit of the graphics processor lies at 83 °C (181 °F), which isn’t reached at any time.

At 61. 6 °C (~143 °F) during the stress test, we measure a relatively low GPU temperature. With a hot-spot temperature of 71.

3 °C (~160 °F), the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X doesn’t have any problems either. However, this also means that there is some room for improvement in terms of the noise volume. Those who make an effort in manually adjusting the fan curve will surely also be able to keep the graphics card significantly quieter.

We determine the power consumption for the whole test system without the monitor. Our test system is equipped with six additional 120-millimeter (~4. 7 in) fans.

We also deactivate the additional RGB illumination. In our measurements, this combination shows itself as the best option, which is also accompanied by the low power consumption of the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X. Our measurement device only shows about 270 watts while gaming, which is significantly more efficient than other competitors in our test here.

Because of the hefty critique in terms of the correct power consumption of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, we also take a closer look at the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X in this regard. We evaluate the direct power consumption that is really consumed via the 6+2 pin PCIe connection and the PCIe slot (12 Volt track). Our KFA2 test unit also exceeds the TDP of 115 watts specified by Nvidia without any trouble.

In one picture, we capture the momentary consumption under load when gaming, documenting 125 watts. However, HWiNFO and various other measurement tools continue to show 115 watts. This is some curious behavior that might only happen due to the tight budget.

But you can still run the graphics card within its specifications in terms of the 6+2 pin PCIe power connection and PCIe slot, and fortunately they are not exceeded in this case. On the other hand, you shouldn’t be fooled by the 115 watts specification, since the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X consumes almost 130 watts under load. The manufacturer recommends a 550-Watt power supply, and you should definitely stick with this recommendation to ensure reliable operation under load.

The KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X offers solid equipment to pass as a modern 1,080p gaming graphics card. With 8 GB of VRAM, it falls into the standard level of the competitors in this price class, which wasn’t always the case in the past. The performance of the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X is sufficient to play almost all the current games at medium to high detail level in 1,080p resolution.

At maximum details, the new entry-level graphics card loses some steam at times. At the same time, we have some doubt about the card being futureproof. On the other hand, we have to praise Nvidia for the low power consumption.

In our test, the configuration with the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X was the most efficient model. However, the TDP specification is questionable. In our measurements, we see that 130 watts is more appropriate.

Compared to the competitors that deliver a similar performance, this is still significantly less. This means that the efficiency crown in the entry-level graphics cards again goes to Nvidia. The KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X is a solid and efficient graphics card.

But it is not sufficient for the crown in the price-performance ratio. The features such as raytracing and DLSS can also be used with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 models. This is good and might be the decisive factor in the purchase decision.

But you shouldn’t be tempted too much by the colorful marketing labels, since the GeForce RTX 4060 can also quickly be overtaxed by activated raytracing. If the game doesn’t additionally support DLSS, you should forgo raytracing. In addition to the performance, the main factor in the purchase decision is also the price, and as usual, the KFA2 is very affordable in comparison.

Currently, the KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X is available on the shelves. However, with the Radeon RX 6650 XT, AMD currently offers the better overall package, and you get the same performance for 240 Euros (~$266). The KFA2 GeForce RTX 4060 1-Click OC 2X is currently available in Germany from NBB.

com (notebooksbilliger. de) for 299 Euro . .