Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5060 Ti: An impressive graphics card, if obtainability isn't an issue
The budget-friendly Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 range is upon us, boasting two variations - a powerhouse with 16GB GDDR7 VRAM and a wallet-friendly version boasting 8GB GDDR7 VRAM. Prices for the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB stand at $429, while the 8GB model will set you back a more reasonable $379. The entry-level RTX 5060, equipping 8GB of DDR7 VRAM, has a mouth-watering price tag of just $299, due for release next month.
So, how has the RTX 5060 Ti treated reviewers?
Taking on the Reviews
Initial reviews of the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB have landed in the 4-star range, providing decent generation-on-gen performance enhancements compared to the RTX 4060 Ti, but leaving questions about value for money for the 16GB model.
As *Engadget's Devindra Hardawar states, "The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is aimed at a very specific group of gamers." With its price point, the 5060 Ti resides in that not-so-comfortable middle ground between "budget" and "mid-range,” often called no-man's land.
But the 5060 Ti shows promise, earning an 85/100 score from Hardawar, who argues, "The RTX 5060 Ti shines in terms of raw rendering power, thanks to the magic of DLSS 4 AI upscaling and the ability to generate four interpolated frames for every one rendered, resulting in surprisingly high FPS scores in 1080p and even 1440p."
Score on Tom's Hardware
Meanwhile, Tom's Hardware's Jarred Walton gave the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB a 4 out of 5 stars, reporting that the "Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB delivers a 15% increase in performance over its 4060 Ti 16GB predecessor, all for a theoretically lower price and with a lot more memory bandwidth." However, Walton warns that retail pricing and GPU supply will be essential factors, as "Nvidia's MSRPs have looked inviting, but outside of a few RTX 5070 cards (currently out of stock), almost nothing has sold at MSRP."
PCGamer’s Review
PCGamer's Jacob Ridley awarded the RTX 5060 Ti an 81/100, commending the GPU for its GDDR7 VRAM, reduced MSRP compared to the previous generation, cool running temperatures, and a 20% generation leap for just 20 additional watts. Ridley advises that "while the RTX 5060 Ti is a suitable upgrade option for those on 30-series cards and older, you may find that the extra 20% and Multi Frame Generation aren't necessary if you're already rocking an RTX 40-series graphics card."
Tom's Guide Reaction
Jason England of Tom's Guide assigned a 4/5 star rating, praising the 5060 Ti as a "real showstopper for DLSS 4," displaying "huge framerates in plenty of top games at an affordable cost." England adds that it's not worthwhile for 40-series card owners, offering short gains in raw rendering and content creation performance. Yet, for those on older cards or taking their first steps into PC gaming, the 5060 Ti offers a delightful entry point.
GamesRadar Review and Verdict
Phil Hayton of GamesRadar stuck with the 4-star verdict, admiring the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti for its "great 1440p abilities for under $450 and the ability to pull off 4K tricks with DLSS 4 enabled." Hayton notes, "The 5060 Ti is at risk of losing its value proposition due to third-party manufacturers' inflated pricing and the potential impact of U.S. tech tariffs."
So, Is it Worth It?
As several RTX 5060 Ti reviews suggest, the 5060 family of graphics cards won't receive a Founder's Edition run, making finding the RTX 5060 Ti at its $379 (8GB) or $429 (16GB) MSRP unlikely. Many retailers show significant markups on both the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB and 16GB models, with prices ranging from $419 for the 8GB model up to $604 for the 16GB model[1].
The lack of reviews for the 8GB variant of the RTX 5060 Ti implies that Nvidia may not be confident about its performance. Thus, if you were considering the 8GB model, it's probably best to wait for the May launch of the RTX 5060. Alternatively, you could opt for the 16GB version of the 5060 Ti at $489 or spend a bit more and invest in a 5070, currently priced at $549.
Though the RTX 5070 isn't a perfect GPU, it may be a better option for those upgrading from a 20 or 30-series GPU, provided you can grab it at MSRP and not pay a premium for it.
In conclusion, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is a mid-range GPU with a mix of positive and negative reviews, focusing on its performance, pricing, and VRAM capabilities. The question remains: is it a worthy investment, given its pricing and limited availability?
- The RTX 5060 Ti 16GB's performance is commendable, offering decent generation-on-gen enhancements compared to the RTX 4060 Ti, with Boyd Madson of Tom's Hardware claiming a 15% increase in performance.
- Devindra Hardawar from Engadget admires the RTX 5060 Ti's raw rendering power, thanks to DLSS 4 AI upscaling, generating four interpolated frames for every one rendered, resulting in high FPS scores in 1080p and 1440p.
- Jason England of Tom's Guide appreciates the RTX 5060 Ti's impressive performance in DLSS 4, but advises that it may not be necessary for those already owning RTX 40-series graphics cards.
- Phil Hayton of GamesRadar praised the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti's great 1440p abilities for under $450 and its potential for 4K tricks with DLSS 4 enabled.
- Jacob Ridley of PCGamer commended the GPU for its GDDR7 VRAM, reduced MSRP compared to the previous generation, cool running temperatures, and a 20% generation leap for just 20 additional watts.
- The lack of reviews for the 8GB variant of the RTX 5060 Ti implies that Nvidia may not be confident about its performance, so it's best to wait for the May launch of the RTX 5060 or consider the 16GB version of the 5060 Ti or the 5070, considering their pricing and limited availability.
- Some retailers show significant markups on both the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB and 16GB models, with prices ranging from $419 for the 8GB model up to $604 for the 16GB model.
- The RTX 5070, though not perfect, might be a better option for those upgrading from a 20 or 30-series GPU, provided they can grab it at MSRP and not pay a premium for it.
