Nvidia appears to be taking an unexpected step in response to ongoing supply issues, as new leaks suggest the return of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB after its discontinuation in August 2024.
According to reports from Chinese industry sources, Team Green may restart production of the popular mid-range GPU in June 2026. Add-in board partners, including MSI, ASUS, Colorful, and GALAX, are expected to begin mass production soon after, targeting a potential July launch window.
The move is reportedly driven by ongoing memory shortages and rising GPU prices, which have left a gap in the budget segment. Instead of relying on leftover stock, Nvidia is said to be producing fresh batches of Ampere GPUs using Samsung’s 8nm process. This allows the company to avoid diverting resources from its newer Blackwell lineup.
Industry chatter, including posts from known leakers like MEGAsizeGPU, suggests the revived RTX 3060 could temporarily fill the void left by delays affecting lower-end RTX 50-series cards, particularly the rumored RTX 5050.
Originally launched in 2021, the RTX 3060 12GB remains a capable performer for 1080p and even 1440p gaming, thanks to features like DLSS and its relatively generous VRAM. While estimates indicate it may be around 10–15% slower than upcoming entry-level GPUs, its 12GB memory could give it an edge in longevity, especially as modern games demand more VRAM.
However, several questions remain. Pricing will be critical: if the reintroduced GPU lands above the $250–$300 range, it may struggle to appeal to budget-conscious buyers. Availability is another concern, as high-VRAM Nvidia GPUs have recently been selling at inflated prices due to limited supply.
For now, the reported comeback of the RTX 3060 highlights the unusual state of the GPU market, where even older hardware can become relevant again when supply chains tighten.
