The graphics card market has been experiencing significant price inflation with Nvidia's high-end RTX 5090 launching at a staggering USD $2,000 MSRP. However, recent leaks suggest that the upcoming mid-range offerings might bring some relief to budget-conscious gamers, with the RTX 5060 Ti potentially maintaining the same price points as its predecessor.
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| A modern computer case showcasing the advanced internal components, reflecting the high-performance ethos of Nvidia's upcoming RTX graphics cards |
Pricing Stability in an Unstable Market
According to recent leaks reported by WccfTech and Board Channels, Nvidia's upcoming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti will be available in two memory configurations: an 8GB model priced at USD $399 and a 16GB variant at USD $499. These price points mirror exactly what Nvidia charged for the previous generation RTX 4060 Ti models, suggesting the company may be adopting a more conservative pricing strategy for its mid-range offerings despite significant increases seen in its flagship products. This potential price stability comes as welcome news in a market where GPU costs have been trending consistently upward.
Technical Specifications and Performance Expectations
The leaked specifications indicate the RTX 5060 Ti will feature 4,608 CUDA cores, a 180W TGP (Total Graphics Power), and clock speeds ranging between 2,407 and 2,572 MHz—representing less than a 100 MHz improvement over the previous generation. Both variants will utilize 28 Gbps GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 448 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The standard RTX 5060 (non-Ti) will reportedly come with 3,840 CUDA cores, 8GB of VRAM, and a 150W power draw. These modest specification increases suggest the performance improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti might be incremental rather than transformative.
Release Timeline and Delays
The RTX 5060 Ti has experienced some delays in its production schedule. Initially, the 16GB model was planned for a March release, with the 8GB variant following in mid-April. However, due to unspecified hardware issues, Nvidia reportedly pushed back the 16GB model to coincide with the 8GB launch. Both models are now expected to debut simultaneously around April 16, 2025. The standard RTX 5060 might follow with a May release, though official confirmation from Nvidia remains absent.
Pre-built Systems Already Appearing
Supporting the imminent release rumors, pre-built desktop systems featuring the RTX 5060 Ti have already begun appearing on retail websites like Newegg and briefly on Best Buy. Stormcraft's RTX 5060 Ti system is listed at USD $1,299, matching the price of some of their RTX 4060-equipped systems and only USD $100-150 more expensive than other comparable models. Meanwhile, a now-removed CyberPowerPC listing on Best Buy featured a standard RTX 5060 with a Ryzen 7 8700F processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD for USD $1,149. These listings suggest that system integrators are preparing for the imminent launch with minimal price increases over previous-generation equivalents.
Competitive Landscape
Nvidia's pricing strategy may be influenced by AMD's upcoming Radeon RX 9060 and 9060 XT GPUs, which are scheduled for release in Q2 2025. The competitive pressure from AMD's recent mid-range offerings, which have compared favorably to Nvidia's higher-tier products, could be driving Nvidia to maintain aggressive pricing in the mainstream segment. However, the entire GPU market faces uncertainty with recently announced US tariffs that could significantly impact pricing and availability across all manufacturers.
Market Implications
If these leaked prices prove accurate, they could signal a stabilization in GPU pricing after years of volatility caused by cryptocurrency mining booms, pandemic-related supply chain issues, and generational price hikes. For gamers who have been holding off on upgrades due to prohibitive costs, the RTX 5060 Ti at USD $399 might represent a reasonable entry point into the current generation of graphics technology. However, with only modest specification improvements over the previous generation, potential buyers will need to carefully consider whether the performance gains justify an upgrade from existing hardware.