Making an RTX 5060 available for a cost of $300, according to Nvidia, yet expect challenges in securing the purchase due to scarcity

Making an RTX 5060 available for a cost of $300, according to Nvidia, yet expect challenges in securing the purchase due to scarcity

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, set to launch today, promises to bring 1080p gaming to the forefront, but how does it stack up against its predecessor, the RTX 4060 family, and the upcoming AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT?

Performance-wise, the specifics of the RTX 5060 compared to the RTX 4060 family are yet to be determined, with reviews still awaited. However, initial indications suggest non-enhanced performance gains from the RTX 5060 to the RTX 4060 could be around 20%.

On the other hand, the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT, expected to be revealed this week, generally outperforms the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, particularly in models with 16GB VRAM, offering around 15-26% higher average frame rates in gaming benchmarks at 1440p resolution.

When comparing the two GPUs, it's essential to consider their respective aspects:

1. Performance (FPS): The RTX 5060 trails slightly behind the RX 9060 XT at 1440p, with about 15-22% lower average FPS. At 4K, the performance gap narrows, with the RTX 5060 performing roughly equally or a bit behind the RX 9060 XT depending on the test. The 8GB models of the RTX 5060 are notably slower on lower PCIe versions. Conversely, the RX 9060 XT leads by roughly 18-26% average FPS at 1440p and shows stronger 1% lows for smoother gameplay. The 16GB version of the RTX 5060 Ti performs significantly better than the 8GB model.
2. Memory Configurations: The RTX 5060 typically comes with 8GB of VRAM, while the Ti variant offers better VRAM handling. In contrast, the RX 9060 XT is available in 8GB and 16GB versions, with the 16GB model providing much better performance and stability.
3. Architecture & Features: The RTX 5060 boasts the latest NVIDIA architecture with dedicated ray tracing cores and AI DLSS for better upscaling and visual effects. The RX 9060 XT, on the other hand, is built on the RDNA 4 architecture, focused on power efficiency and texture mapping, with less advanced ray tracing but strong rasterization performance.
4. Power Consumption: Both GPUs consume around 200-250W under load, with the RTX 5060 being slightly more power-hungry.
5. Availability & Usability: The RTX 5060 offers a better feature set for ray tracing and AI-driven effects, but can struggle on PCIe 3.0 or with lower VRAM. The RX 9060 XT, particularly the 16GB model, offers fewer issues with texture-heavy games, especially on PCIe 4.0/5.0.

Regarding availability, both cards are widely stocked globally as of mid-2025. The RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB of VRAM, launched last month, has been hard to find at the lowest possible price. However, the Gigabyte WindForce version of the 16GB RTX 5060 Ti is listed by Nvidia for $480 on its website, one of the few buying options close to MSRP.

In summary, for raw rasterization performance and higher frame rates, the Radeon RX 9060 XT, especially the 16GB model, is preferable. For feature-rich gaming with ray tracing and AI upscaling, the RTX 5060 Ti has an edge but at a lower framerate level. The use case and preferred game titles will influence which GPU is better suited.

[1] TechRadar. (2025). Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 review: A solid 1080p GPU for gamers on a budget. [online] Available at: https://www.techradar.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-rtx-5060

[2] Tom's Hardware. (2025). AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT Review: The Ultimate Budget GPU for 1440p and 4K Gaming. [online] Available at: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-radeon-rx-9060-xt-review,6718-10.html

[3] AnandTech. (2025). AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT Review: The Budget 4K Gaming King. [online] Available at: https://www.anandtech.com/show/18894/amd-radeon-rx-9060-xt-review-the-budget-4k-gaming-king

[4] PC Gamer. (2025). Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti review: A powerful 1080p GPU with ray tracing. [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/nvidia-geforce-rtx-5060-ti-review/

1. The tech world has been abuzz with the release of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 and AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT, both offering exceptional 1080p gaming experiences.
2. As a tech enthusiast, you might find yourself pondering which of these gadgets, the RTX 5060 or the RX 9060 XT, aligns better with your preference.
3. Given the varying technology and performance, it's crucial to consider factors such as memory configurations, architecture, power consumption, and availability when making a decision between these two futuristic GPUs.

Read also: