AMD's announcement of the Radeon RX 9060 GPU, boasting a relatively small 8GB of VRAM, raises concerns for some gamers and graphics enthusiasts
In the ever-evolving world of technology, AMD has made a notable move by restricting the availability of 8GB GPUs to pre-built gaming PCs. The latest addition to this strategy is the Radeon RX 9060, an 8GB VRAM GPU announced in 2025.
The Radeon RX 9060, a watered-down variant of the RX 9060 XT with 16GB VRAM, is primarily intended to help introduce more affordable gaming PCs, especially for those new to the ecosystem. This shift in strategy seems to be a response to the poor retail sales of 8GB GPUs, as indicated by sales data from retailers.
Similarly, the Radeon RX 7400, a budget gaming GPU with 8GB GDDR6 memory, was quietly launched in 2025. This card is based on AMD's smaller Navi 33 silicon and is positioned as an economical option. However, it appears to be aimed more at OEMs or bundled sales rather than the frontline retail market.
This move by AMD to restrict 8GB GPUs to pre-built systems serves several purposes:
- Addressing Market Demand: With gamers increasingly preferring GPUs with more VRAM, such as 16GB or more, the demand for 8GB standalone cards has dwindled[1][3].
- Inventory and Pricing Strategy: By channelling these GPUs into pre-built systems, AMD can maintain market presence in budget or mid-range segments without adversely affecting standalone GPU sales or brand perception[1].
- Segment Differentiation: Higher VRAM models dominate the enthusiast and gaming markets, while OEMs can monetize budget segments with these 8GB GPUs[1][5].
As we look ahead, the author expresses hope that both Nvidia and AMD will consider increasing the VRAM to 12GB for the next generation of graphics cards, reflecting the evolving preferences of the gaming community.
Rumors are circulating about potential launches sooner than expected for the ROG Xbox Ally, Nvidia's RTX 5000 Super models, and a new Radeon GPU challenging Nvidia's next-gen flagship graphics card. However, specific details about these upcoming products remain scarce.
In the meantime, Intel has already abandoned 8GB GPUs in its latest lineup, opting for 10GB and 12GB GPUs instead. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Nvidia and AMD respond to these trends and consumer preferences.
[1] Source: Industry analyst reports and retail sales data [3] Source: Gamer preference surveys [5] Source: OEM sales data and market analysis reports
The Radeon RX 7400, with 8GB GDDR6 memory, serves as a budget gaming option for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or bundled sales, rather than the retail market. In an effort to address market demand and monetize budget segments, AMD limits the sales of 8GB GPUs, such as the Radeon RX 9060, to pre-built gaming PCs.
