Can I put an RTX 3060 Ti on my Gigabyte B450 Gaming X motherboard?

How do I put an RTX 3060 Ti on my Gigabyte B450 Gaming X motherboard? Do I need to buy anything extra? What are the steps in installing this card into my motherboard? Is there anything that I need to be aware of when I put this graphics card on my motherboard? These are just some of the questions that you may have if you’re thinking about purchasing the RTX 3060 Ti and putting it on your Gigabyte B450 Gaming X motherboard.

 RTX 3060 Ti on my Gigabyte B450 Gaming X motherboard

It’s a question that has popped up many times for PC gamers interested in building a custom gaming computer. Whether you’re trying to figure out if your existing graphics card can support an upgrade or planning ahead for your next build, it’s important to know which high-end graphics cards will work with your current PC. It all comes down to power: If you want to install one of Nvidia’s new RTX 20 series graphics cards, you have a few options; some are more flexible than others. You can either go with one of Nvidia's Founders Edition models or third-party partner cards (cards designed by other manufacturers). Some motherboards are compatible with both, whereas others can only accommodate one type of card.

Intro to hardware compatibility

Yes, but you’ll need to replace your case and power supply first. An RTX 2080 uses 8 pin connectors, whereas a GTX 10 series card (like your 3060) only uses one 6 pin connector. You’ll also need a more powerful PSU to power your new GPU: if you’re using a 400W unit for your old GPU, you’ll want something more along the lines of 650W to 750W for an RTX 2080. Although some newer PSUs can handle two cards, many don’t recommend running two graphics cards from different generations in SLI or CrossFire mode unless they have very similar TDPs—which doesn't apply here. The only way to find out is by researching your hardware compatibility before buying anything!

Do I need an ITX case for this build?

The short answer is, probably not. There are a few different types of graphics cards that can be used in ITX builds; most graphics cards can be fit into something like a case, but you’ll want to look into things such as your power supply and case size to make sure they’re compatible. If you have more questions about compatibility, feel free to reach out! The great thing about buying directly from Newegg is that if your build isn’t right for your case (or vice versa), we’ll take it back within 30 days of purchase.

Understanding thermal design power (TDP)

Your graphics card's TDP is a measurement of how much power it consumes while running. It's usually defined as maximum power during gaming, although actual real-world usage will likely be less than that. If you have a 500-watt power supply and a graphics card with a 180-watt TDP, your system is still going to draw at least 330 watts if you're running games at full blast (which, let's face it, we all do). Knowing your system wattage helps determine whether or not your current components are compatible. So back to our original question: Can you get away with using an RTX 3060 TI graphics card on a motherboard with only two 8-pin CPU connectors?

Example GPU usage

Some examples of using a GPU in a computer are playing games, editing videos, rendering 3D models and images, machine learning and deep learning. When you start to consider how important a GPU is for such tasks as these it becomes clear why people don’t just upgrade their graphics card every few years: It isn’t always worth it. If you can get by with your current GPU then there is no real reason to buy a new one for most everyday users (though if you use your computer primarily for gaming then obviously upgrading as often as possible is always good advice). Using your computer will eventually cause wear and tear over time which will degrade performance.

Additional hardware and peripherals

You'll need a few additional pieces of hardware to make everything work. A case, for example. You can use your existing one if it's recent enough, or you might want to invest in a new one that supports larger graphics cards. You'll also need a power supply unit (PSU) to bring power to all those parts, and some fans and/or liquid cooling for keeping your hardware cool. If you're upgrading from something like an RX 570, you may not even need a new PSU—but be sure to check the documentation that comes with your new graphics card just in case. And don't forget about storage!

Conclusion

Yes, you can. However, be aware that some issues might arise such as experiencing crashes and glitches. Also, be aware that your warranty will likely become void due to modifications. In order to achieve a successful and stable build with a dual RTX card in your B450 Gaming X motherboard, you will need to update BIOS to version F2 or later and also update your AMD chipset drivers (refer instructions below).