Nvidia's strategy of releasing the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti in both 8GB and 16GB variants has come under intense scrutiny from hardware reviewers who finally got their hands on the 8GB model. After Nvidia initially prevented board partners from supplying the 8GB version for reviews, detailed testing now reveals why the company might have wanted to delay coverage of this product.
The Delayed Review Controversy
Hardware reviewers have finally gotten their hands on the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB after what many described as a paper launch or stealth launch. According to popular YouTube channel Hardware Unboxed, Nvidia had explicitly prevented AIB partners from supplying the 8GB card for reviews when the 16GB model launched. This unusual approach raised immediate red flags about the product's quality and performance, with some tech analysts like Moore's Law is Dead suggesting it was closer than ever before to literally having a paper launch.
Performance Limitations Exposed
Extensive testing across 15 modern games has revealed severe performance limitations with the 8GB model compared to its 16GB counterpart. In games like The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Spider-Man 2, and Horizon Forbidden West, the 8GB model suffered from extreme stuttering, dramatically lower frame rates, and in some cases, complete inability to run at higher settings. At 1440p with DLSS Quality mode in The Last of Us Part II, the 16GB model delivered 34% higher average frame rates and an astounding 215% better 1% low performance.
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| Comparative performance metrics highlight the differences between the RTX 5060 Ti's 8GB and 16GB variants while running demanding modern games |
VRAM Constraints in Modern Gaming
The 8GB VRAM capacity has proven to be a critical bottleneck in 2025's gaming landscape. In Space Marine 2, while benchmark numbers appeared similar between both models, the 8GB card delivered visibly degraded textures and suffered from constant texture pop-in issues. Similar problems were observed in Hogwarts Legacy, where the 8GB card exhibited texture pop-in even without ray tracing enabled. When ray tracing was activated, the performance gap widened dramatically, with the 16GB model delivering up to 483% better 1% lows.
Resolution and Settings Compromises
Even at 1080p resolution—which many argue is below the standard expected for a USD $380+ graphics card in 2025—the 8GB model struggled in numerous titles. In Spider-Man 2 at native 1080p with High preset, the 8GB card still delivered poor frame pacing and subpar performance, with the 16GB version running 35% faster on average and 58% faster in 1% lows. This contradicts the notion that the RTX 5060 Ti is meant for 1080p gaming, as the card is clearly capable of 1440p and even 4K with upscaling—provided it has sufficient VRAM.
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| Performance metrics show the stark contrast between the RTX 5060 Ti's 8GB and 16GB configurations while gaming at 1080p resolution |
Price Considerations and Market Positioning
The 8GB model is supposed to have an MSRP of USD $380, but the lowest listing found on Newegg was USD $420, with most models priced at USD $440 or higher. Meanwhile, 16GB models start at USD $430, with many priced at USD $480 or more. This relatively small price difference (14% in the worst-case scenario) for double the memory capacity makes the 8GB model particularly poor value. Hardware Unboxed describes it as a serious trap for buyers who may not realize two distinct versions exist under the same product name.
Future-Proofing Concerns
Perhaps most concerning is the future outlook for 8GB cards. Reviewers suggest that 8GB of VRAM in 2025 for a mid-range GPU is comparable to 4GB cards today—already insufficient for many modern titles. With most gamers expecting to use their graphics cards for at least three years, the 8GB model is described as instantly obsolete and an example of planned obsolescence. This strategy potentially forces consumers to upgrade sooner than necessary, benefiting Nvidia's future sales.
Resale Value Implications
Historical data suggests the resale value gap between the two models will likely grow over time. Based on eBay sold listings for the previous generation, the 16GB version of the RTX 4060 Ti is currently fetching 42% more than the 8GB version, despite only costing up to 25% more at launch. This trend is expected to accelerate with the RTX 5060 Ti, potentially making the 8GB version nearly worthless in comparison within two years.
Industry Response and Competition
The disappointing performance of the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB creates an opportunity for competitors like AMD and Intel. With consumers potentially losing interest in Nvidia's offerings, particularly in the budget and mid-range segments, there's growing anticipation for alternatives like AMD's upcoming RX 9060 XT. Intel's Arc B series has already demonstrated there's demand for products that offer solid 1440p performance with generous VRAM at affordable prices.
Conclusion
Hardware reviewers have delivered a clear verdict: the 8GB RTX 5060 Ti should never have existed as a product in 2025. With modern games already pushing beyond 8GB VRAM requirements and the situation only expected to worsen over the typical lifespan of a graphics card, the consensus is that 12GB should be the new minimum for GPUs priced above USD $150, with 16GB being the recommendation for uncompromised gaming experiences at the USD $400 price point. For consumers in the market for a new graphics card, the message is clear—avoid the 8GB model despite its slightly lower price tag.