In 2025, NVIDIA introduced the GeForce RTX 50 series, bringing significant advancements to its mid-range graphics cards. The RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti, announced on April 15, 2025, are designed to deliver enhanced gaming performance and better value compared to their predecessors, the RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti. This article provides a detailed analysis of their performance, specifications, and pricing in Great British Pounds (GBP), with a focus on how they stack up against their RTX 40 series equivalents.
Introduction
The RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti are part of NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series, built on the Blackwell architecture. These cards target mid-range gamers, offering improved performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with support for advanced features like ray tracing and DLSS 4. The RTX 40 series, based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, set a high bar for efficiency and performance, but the RTX 50 series aims to push the boundaries further with faster memory and more processing power.
Specifications Comparison
To understand the performance differences, let’s examine the key specifications of the RTX 5060, RTX 5060 Ti, and their RTX 40 series counterparts.
|
Model |
GPU |
CUDA Cores |
Memory |
Memory Interface |
TDP |
Price (GBP) |
|
RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
GB206 |
4608 |
16GB GDDR7 |
128-bit |
180W |
£335 |
|
RTX 5060 Ti 8GB |
GB206 |
4608 |
8GB GDDR7 |
128-bit |
180W |
£296 |
|
RTX 5060 |
GB206 (cut-down) |
3840 |
8GB GDDR7 |
128-bit |
~160W |
£233 |
|
RTX 4060 Ti 16GB |
AD106 |
4352 |
16GB GDDR6 |
128-bit |
160W |
£389 |
|
RTX 4060 Ti 8GB |
AD106 |
4352 |
8GB GDDR6 |
128-bit |
160W |
£311 |
|
RTX 4060 |
AD107 |
3072 |
8GB GDDR6 |
128-bit |
115W |
£233 |
Note: Prices are approximate, converted from USD to GBP using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 0.78 GBP. The TDP for the RTX 5060 is estimated, as official figures are not yet available.
View our Nvidia RTX 5060 builds here - https://directcomputers.co.uk/collections/nvidia-geforce-rtx-5060-pcs
Key Specification Highlights
- RTX 5060 Ti: Available in 8GB and 16GB variants, it features 4608 CUDA cores, a 6% increase over the RTX 4060 Ti’s 4352. It uses GDDR7 memory, which offers higher bandwidth than the GDDR6 in the RTX 40 series.
- RTX 5060: With 3840 CUDA cores, it has 25% more cores than the RTX 4060’s 3072. Like the 5060 Ti, it uses GDDR7 memory, promising better performance in memory-intensive tasks.
- RTX 4060 Ti and 4060: These cards rely on the Ada Lovelace architecture and GDDR6 memory, which, while efficient, is slower than GDDR7. Their lower core counts limit performance compared to the RTX 50 series.
Performance Analysis
RTX 5060 Ti vs. RTX 4060 Ti
The RTX 5060 Ti demonstrates a measurable performance improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti, driven by its enhanced specifications and architecture. Early benchmarks provide insight into its capabilities:
- Synthetic Benchmarks: In tests like 3DMark, the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB scores approximately 13-14% higher than the RTX 4060 Ti 16GB, according to Wccftech. This is attributed to the increased CUDA core count, a 2.647 GHz boost clock, and the faster GDDR7 memory.
- Gaming Performance: The RTX 5060 Ti 16GB excels in VRAM-intensive games. For instance, in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it delivers significantly higher frame rates at ultra settings compared to the RTX 4060 Ti, as noted by PCGamesN. In some scenarios, it even outperforms the higher-tier RTX 5070 due to its 16GB VRAM, which is critical for modern titles with high-resolution textures and ray tracing.
- Efficiency: The RTX 5060 Ti has a TDP of 180W, slightly higher than the RTX 4060 Ti’s 160W. However, real-world power consumption is comparable, with the RTX 5060 Ti peaking at 155W during demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, just below the RTX 4060 Ti’s 157W, as reported by Rock Paper Shotgun.
The RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, while still faster than the RTX 4060 Ti 8GB, may face limitations in future games due to its 8GB VRAM. Critics, including Eurogamer, have expressed concerns that 8GB is insufficient for 2025’s demanding titles, especially PS5 ports, which often require more memory.
RTX 5060 vs. RTX 4060
The RTX 5060, scheduled for release in May 2025, has not yet been fully benchmarked. However, its specifications suggest a significant performance uplift over the RTX 4060:
- Estimated Performance: With 3840 CUDA cores (25% more than the RTX 4060’s 3072) and GDDR7 memory, the RTX 5060 is expected to be 20-30% faster than the RTX 4060. This estimate is based on the RTX 5060 Ti’s performance gains and the proportional increase in core count.
- Architecture Benefits: The Blackwell architecture offers improved efficiency and support for advanced features like DLSS 4, which enhances frame rates in supported games. The RTX 5060’s GDDR7 memory should also provide better performance in memory-bound scenarios compared to the RTX 4060’s GDDR6.
- Gaming Potential: While specific gaming benchmarks are unavailable, the RTX 5060 is likely to deliver smoother 1080p and 1440p gaming experiences, particularly in titles leveraging ray tracing and AI-driven upscaling.
Some sources, such as Technical City, have reported conflicting data, suggesting the RTX 4060 outperforms the RTX 5060 by a large margin. However, these results are likely erroneous, as they contradict the expected generational improvements and are based on pre-release engineering samples.
Price Analysis
The RTX 50 series offers better value compared to the RTX 40 series, with lower prices for equivalent or superior performance:
- RTX 5060 Ti 16GB: Priced at £335, it is £54 cheaper than the RTX 4060 Ti 16GB (£389), despite offering better performance and faster memory.
- RTX 5060 Ti 8GB: At £296, it undercuts the RTX 4060 Ti 8GB (£311) by £15, making it a more affordable option for gamers.
- RTX 5060: Priced at £233, it matches the RTX 4060’s price but is expected to deliver significantly better performance, enhancing its value proposition.
These prices are approximate, converted from USD ($429, $379, and $299, respectively) using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 0.78 GBP. Actual retail prices may vary due to market conditions and availability, as noted by Tom’s Hardware, which highlights stock shortages for RTX 50 series cards.
Controversies and Considerations
The RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti have sparked some debate, particularly around VRAM capacity:
- 8GB VRAM Concerns: The 8GB versions of both cards have been criticized for potentially insufficient memory in 2025’s gaming landscape. Eurogamer notes that modern games, especially console ports, often perform poorly on 8GB GPUs, as seen with the RTX 4060’s struggles compared to the 12GB RTX 3060.
- Pricing and Availability: While NVIDIA’s MSRPs are competitive, stock shortages have led to price hikes above MSRP, as reported by VideoCardz. This could impact affordability for some consumers.
- Performance Expectations: Some gamers expected larger generational leaps, but the RTX 5060 Ti’s 13-14% improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti has been described as modest by TechSpot. The RTX 5060’s performance remains speculative until its release.
Conclusion
The GeForce RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti represent a solid evolution of NVIDIA’s mid-range graphics cards. The RTX 5060 Ti, particularly the 16GB model, offers a compelling blend of performance, VRAM capacity, and value, making it ideal for 1080p and 1440p gaming. Its 13-14% performance edge over the RTX 4060 Ti, combined with a lower price, positions it as a strong upgrade option. The RTX 5060, while not yet released, is poised to deliver 20-30% better performance than the RTX 4060 at the same price, enhancing its appeal for budget-conscious gamers.
Despite concerns about 8GB VRAM and modest generational gains, the RTX 50 series leverages the Blackwell architecture and GDDR7 memory to meet the demands of modern gaming. For gamers seeking a balance of performance and affordability in 2025, the RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti are promising choices.
View our Nvidia RTX 5060 builds here - https://directcomputers.co.uk/collections/nvidia-geforce-rtx-5060-pcs
Image Credit Nvidia - https://www.nvidia.com/en-gb/geforce/graphics-cards/50-series/rtx-5060-family/
