I’m actually right there with you, I have a 3060 12gb and tbh I think it’s the absolute most cost effective GPU option for home use right now. You can run 14B models at a very reasonable pace.
Doubling or tripling the cost and power draw just to get 16-24gb doesn’t seem worth it to me. If you really want an AI-optimized box I think something with the new Ryzen max chips would be the way to go - like a framework desktop or the GMKtek option whatever it’s called. Apple’s new Mac Minis are also great options. Both Ryzen Max and Apple make use of shared CPU/GPU memory so you can go up 96GB+ at much much lower power draws.