Nvidia has unveiled its latest GeForce RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti GPUs, promising to bring advanced performance to gamers at affordable prices. The RTX 5060 Ti will be available from April 16 for $379 (8GB VRAM) and $429 (16GB VRAM), while the RTX 5060 will be released in May for $299 (8GB VRAM). These prices are lower than the previous-generation RTX 4060 series, which is a positive sign for gamers. However, while these GPUs are getting a lot of attention, the question is how long supply constraints and potential tariffs will keep this offering viable.
This new RTX 5060 series represents a significant shift in the desktop and laptop gaming market. The RTX 5060 Ti is designed with 4,608 CUDA cores, 28Gbps GDDR7 memory, and a 128-bit memory bus, which Nvidia says delivers 20% faster performance than the RTX 4060 Ti. The RTX 5060, with 3,840 CUDA cores, will only be available with 8GB of GDDR7 memory, which may seem like a limitation for some gamers in 2025. Both of these GPUs are also based on Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture, built on the TSMC 4N process.
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Nvidia’s DLSS 4 technology is the main attraction for these GPUs. With its multi-frame generation capability, DLSS 4 can generate three additional frames from a single actual frame, significantly increasing frame rates. For example, according to Nvidia, the RTX 5060 series can reach 148 fps in Cyberpunk 2077, 114 fps in Alan Wake II, and 330 fps in Marvel Rivals. These numbers represent performance levels that were previously unattainable for budget gaming laptops.
However, DLSS 4 has not been without its critics. Critics have claimed that some developers are failing to optimize their games for the technology, resulting in visual artifacts or blurry image quality issues. Despite these issues, DLSS 4's ability to deliver high frame rates for budget gamers is a key factor in making these GPUs attractive.
The RTX 5060's 8GB VRAM limitation is a bit of a letdown. For modern games, especially those that use high-resolution textures and complex rendering techniques, 8GB of VRAM may not be enough. The RTX 5060 Ti’s 16GB option solves this problem, but its $429 price tag may not be as affordable for budget gamers. This limitation suggests challenges in meeting gaming needs in 2025.
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For laptop gamers, the RTX 5060 series will be available starting in May for $1,099. Laptops like the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S, Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, Dell Alienware 16 Area-51, HP Omen 16, Lenovo Legion 5i Pro, MSI Venture Pro 16 AI, and Razer Blade 16 will feature these GPUs. These prices seem reasonable compared to RTX 4060 laptops, but tariffs and supply chain issues may affect these prices.
Acer's new Nitro series laptops further expand the gaming options, including RTX 5060 GPUs. The Nitro 16 AI and Nitro 16S AI will be available in EMEA in July starting at €1,399, and the Nitro V 16S AI and Nitro 18 AI will be available in August starting at €899 and €1,499. US pricing has yet to be announced, but availability in Q3 is expected. These laptops offer affordable options for budget gamers.
However, the RTX 5060 series may not live up to everyone's expectations. Some have criticized the RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM as not being enough for modern gaming needs. Additionally, Nvidia is not releasing Founders Editions for these GPUs, which could lead to board partner prices that are higher than MSRP. The RTX 5060 Ti is already listed in Europe for as little as €489, raising concerns about affordability.
On the other hand, the RTX 5060 series looks like a great step forward for budget gaming. Compared to the RTX 3060 ($329) and previous generations, the RTX 5060 stands out as an affordable option at $299. Additionally, new features like the PCIe 5.0 x8 interface and GDDR7 memory make these GPUs attractive, although those using PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 motherboards may experience a slight performance hit.
Overall, Nvidia's RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti GPUs represent a promising step forward for affordable gaming. However, supply constraints, price volatility, and the 8GB VRAM limitation could affect the success of these GPUs. Gamers will need to make their purchasing decisions quickly, as no one knows how long these GPUs will be available in the market at the $299 price point.