ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2060: Raw Performance and Thermal Performance

The birth of Nvidia’s RTX line brings a couple of new features on to the table. Equipped with Tensor cores and RT cores, the new generation of Nvidia GPUs usher in new graphics technologies such as real-time Ray Tracing and DLSS.

ASUS, as one of the leading AIB partners of Nvidia, has their RTX-based offerings ready. The ROG Strix, in particular, has RTX-based offerings for the high-end market down to the mainstream segment. The RTX-based graphics cards under the ROG Strix line boast a combination of unmatched out-of-the-box performance, eye-catching design, and top-notch cooling solution, which make them a perfect match for hardcore gamers and enthusiasts who require massive performance and eye-catching aesthetics.

In this noob’s guide, we’re going to test the raw out-of-the-box performance of the mainstream graphics card of the ROG Strix series, the ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060.

Specifications:

GPU Variant	TU106-200A-KA-A1
CUDA Cores	1920
Tensor Cores	242
RT Cores / RTX-OPS	30 / 37T
GPU Base Clock	1365 MHz
GPU Boost Clock	1830 MHz (2010 MHz actual)
Frame Buffer	6GB GDDR6
Memory Interface	192-bit
Memory Clock (Data Rate)	14 Gbps (1750 MHz)
Memory Bandwidth	336 GB/s

Four output options: (2) HDMI, (2) DisplayPort

PCIE Power Connector requirement: (1) 6-pin, (1) 8-pin

It features a BIOS switch and LED switch at the back

Massive build breeds massive performance

Being under the ROG Strix line, the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2060 is equipped with a massive cooler that’s accompanied by a trio of fans that ensure top performance even under heavy usage.

The massive heatsink covers all the important components of the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060, stretching out from the GPU chip down to the VRAMs. In addition, given the size of the heatsink, it alone can passively cool and keep the temperature at 45C – 49C, keeping the fans in a complete halt. Nothing to worry about when you see the fans not doing their job, by default, the fans will only cool down the card once the temperature reaches 55C — this is called 0dB technology.

And just like the massive heatsink, the triple-fan setup, which overlays the heatsink, provides fast heat dispersion to the heatsink and all the components under it. Additionally, on default settings, the trio of fans was able to hold the temperature at bay, keeping the peak value at 67C even when under 90 – 98% GPU usage.

FireStrike Ultra| Temperature

TimeSpy 4K| Temperature

The ROG Strix’ massive heatsink and triple-fan setup offer a sterling out-of-the-box cooling performance, so much so that it presents users with the option to increase the GPU frequency considerably.

Out-of-the-box performance

As a mainstream graphics card, the RTX 2060 is marketed as a 1080p and 1440p gaming graphics card. However, the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 with its out-of-the-box OC configuration takes mainstream near the 4K realm.

As our tests below show, the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 can and will handle 4K resolution and would be able to grip playable frame rates even on high graphical settings with all other graphics feature enabled, as seen in our run of Resident Evil 2 Remake. Tho, as it is known, lowering the resolution and, or pulling down the graphics quality will push in more frames into the game or any game that you’re eyeing to play with this graphics card or any other card.

RE 2: Remake at 4K with all settings on ultra

Apex Legend at 1440P with Very High settings

RE2: Remake at 1440P with all settings on ultra

With its cooling solution and factory OC, the ROG Strix RTX 2060 can go head to head with, and sometimes surpass, the performance of the late generation’s high-end offerings. It can easily squeeze itself near the GTX 1080 in terms of raw GPU performance. Tho, it can step into the 4K realm, the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2060 is still suited for the 1440P realm where it can max out settings and butter smooth gameplay.

Conclusion

The ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 OC with its combination of outstanding cooling components, factory OC, and new RTX graphics features bring a new dawn to the mainstream segment.

The out-of-the-box raw performance of the ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 makes it a worthy competition for the late generation’s GTX 1080; and with just a bit of tweaking on its stock frequency, it would match the late generation’s high-end offering. With its upper-class cooling solution and top-notch components, pushing the out-of-the-box frequency of the ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 is as easy as a walk in the park, which makes this mainstream offering one of the best choices for those who want to go beyond their usuals at 1080p and 1440p.

The biggest drawback for us would not be of the brand, but the 6GB VRAM configuration that’s present to all other RTX 2060 solutions. A little increase, maybe 2GB more would have been a better addition rather than adding up features that aren’t yet fully utilized by game developers.

With that, we give the ASUS ROG STRIX RTX 2060 our best value award!