DRAM shortages are squeezing newer cards so Nvidia’s old Steam favourite could be heading back to shops in Q1 2026.
The dark satanic rumour mill has manufactured a hell-on-earth yarn claiming that Nvidia is apparently rewinding the clock because the memory supply has gone sideways. The firm is said to be restarting production of the GeForce RTX 3060 as DRAM shortages bite into current-gen GPU supply.
Nvidia started winding down the GeForce RTX 3060 in 2024, even though the 2021 card still tops Steam’s most-used graphics list. While the RTX 4060 and RTX 5060 are gaining ground, the RTX 3060 is now being lined up for a comeback.
The rumour was started by @hongxing2020, who has a decent track record on Nvidia production chatter. The account says that, as of 5 January 2026, Nvidia has told partners the RTX 3060 is returning in Q1 2026.
There is no firm word on whether Nvidia will run both the 12GB and 8GB variants or stick to one. Either way, the report suggests the RTX 3060 will be back on retail shelves once partners get allocation.
It is a neat little tell for how badly DRAM shortages are mangling consumer GPUs. The GeForce RTX 5060 leans on GDDR7, and if DRAM-linked pricing and supply keep worsening, that card risks getting squeezed on both cost and availability.
The 60-series is built for mass buyers, so Nvidia needs something it can actually ship in volume. If memory procurement stays grim, an older design with easier sourcing suddenly looks like the least-worst option.
Steam’s December 2025 hardware survey shows the GeForce RTX 3060 rising by 2.20 per cent in the month to 6.53 per cent overall. That sort of popularity makes it an obvious safety net when newer parts get choked by component constraints.
The RTX 3060 originally landed in a 12GB 192-bit version and a cut-down 8GB 128-bit model. The 12GB card was a solid enough workhorse, while the 8GB variant took plenty of stick for feeling a bit too mean.
If Nvidia really is reviving the RTX 3060, it will need to come in at an aggressive price, and less than $200 would make the most sense for gamers. The alternative is asking people to get excited about yesterday’s kit at tomorrow’s prices, which is always a laugh.
