The graphics card market has seen another divisive product launch with Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, which comes in two variants: an 8GB and a 16GB model. While the RTX 5060 Ti represents the most significant generational improvement in Nvidia's Blackwell lineup, recent benchmarks reveal a troubling performance gap between the two VRAM configurations that potential buyers should be aware of before making their purchase.
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| This image showcases the sleek and modern design of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, highlighting the significant generational improvement in Nvidia's lineup |
The VRAM Controversy
The RTX 5060 Ti features identical GPU specifications across both models, with 4,608 CUDA cores across 36 Streaming Multiprocessors, 152 Tensor Cores, and 36 RT cores. The only difference is the amount of VRAM—8GB versus 16GB—but this seemingly minor distinction has proven to be critically important. Testing by Hardware Unboxed has exposed alarming performance disparities, particularly in modern AAA titles where the 8GB model struggles significantly with memory limitations.
Performance Gap Exposed
In The Last of Us Part II at 4K with Very High settings, the 16GB variant delivered approximately 70 FPS compared to just 35 FPS for the 8GB model—a staggering 120% difference in 1% low FPS performance. Even more concerning, this performance gap widened to 320% with certain quality settings. Similar patterns emerged in other popular titles like Final Fantasy XIV and Hogwarts Legacy, where the performance difference averaged between 30-40%.
Pricing Concerns
The pricing structure further complicates matters. While Nvidia suggested retail prices of USD $379 for the 8GB model and USD $429 for the 16GB variant (a USD $50 difference), current market conditions show the 8GB version selling for around USD $400, with the 16GB model commanding USD $500-550 on retailers like Newegg. This pricing makes the 8GB model particularly difficult to recommend, especially considering alternatives like Intel's Arc B580.
Technical Specifications
Both RTX 5060 Ti variants feature the same Blackwell architecture that powers the entire RTX 5000 series. The cards run on a 128-bit memory bus and have a default power budget of 180W. Unlike higher-end Blackwell cards, some models of the RTX 5060 Ti (like the PNY OC variant) can operate with a standard 8-pin PCIe power connector rather than requiring the controversial 12V(2x6) connector.
DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation
A significant selling point for the RTX 5060 Ti is its support for DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation (MFG). This technology can generate up to three interpolated frames for each natively rendered frame, substantially boosting frame rates. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with Ray Tracing Overdrive preset, the 16GB model achieved 83 FPS with 29ms latency using DLSS Performance mode. Enabling 4x MFG pushed this to 185 FPS with 42ms latency—a trade-off that remains acceptable for most gamers.
Generational Improvement
Despite the controversy surrounding the 8GB model, the RTX 5060 Ti represents a meaningful upgrade over previous generations. At 1080p resolution, the 16GB variant averages 23% faster performance than the RTX 4060 Ti and 41% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti. This makes it the most substantial generational improvement in the current Blackwell lineup, far exceeding the modest 11% improvement seen with the RTX 5080 over the RTX 4080 Super.
The Verdict
For gamers looking to play modern AAA titles, even at 1080p resolution, the evidence strongly suggests avoiding the 8GB variant of the RTX 5060 Ti. The performance limitations imposed by insufficient VRAM make it potentially obsolete for forward-looking gaming setups. The 16GB model, while more expensive, delivers significantly better performance and longevity, though current pricing may push budget-conscious consumers toward alternatives from competitors.
As game developers continue to increase texture quality and memory requirements, the gap between these two variants will likely widen further, making the 8GB model an increasingly questionable investment despite sharing the same GPU architecture as its better-equipped sibling.