Graphics card buyers face a challenging market in 2025, with soaring prices and confusing product options. Recent benchmark tests have revealed a surprising reality: Nvidia's RTX 5060 Ti 8GB model is performing poorly in modern games compared to cheaper alternatives with more VRAM, raising serious questions about its value proposition and longevity.
 |
|---|
| This comparison highlights the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB's performance issues against the Intel Arc B580 12GB in modern gaming scenarios |
The VRAM Dilemma
The RTX 5060 Ti comes in two variants: an 8GB model priced at €380 ($410) and a 16GB version at €430 ($465). Recent comprehensive testing has exposed a critical weakness in the 8GB model - its limited video memory causes significant performance issues in modern games with high-resolution textures. In some demanding titles like Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part II, the 8GB model delivers an unplayable experience with severe stuttering and frame time spikes, even at 1080p resolution with high settings.
Unexpected Competition from Intel
Perhaps most shocking is that Intel's more affordable Arc B580, which features 12GB of VRAM and typically sells for around €330 ($355), outperforms the more expensive RTX 5060 Ti 8GB in several VRAM-intensive scenarios. In Horizon Forbidden West at 1440p with quality upscaling and very high settings, the B580 delivered 68 fps on average - a staggering 152% increase over the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB. Even at native 1080p resolution, the B580 maintained a significant lead with almost 70% better 1% low framerates, providing a smoother overall gaming experience.
Performance Analysis
When not constrained by VRAM limitations, the RTX 5060 Ti should be approximately 40% faster than the Intel Arc B580 across a wide range of games. This performance advantage holds true for the 16GB variant. However, the 8GB model frequently fails to achieve this expected performance gap due to VRAM constraints. In some cases, it delivers substantially worse performance despite costing significantly more.
Future-Proofing Concerns
Industry experts warn that the 8GB RTX 5060 Ti will age particularly poorly as games continue to demand more video memory. Evidence from the second-hand market already shows this trend, with previous-generation 16GB RTX 4060 Ti cards selling for over 40% more than their 8GB counterparts. This suggests the 8GB 5060 Ti could face rapid depreciation compared to its 16GB sibling.
Value Proposition
For approximately 14% more investment (€490/$530 versus €430/$465), gamers can purchase the 16GB variant of the RTX 5060 Ti, which eliminates these VRAM-related performance issues. This relatively small premium becomes insignificant when considering the GPU's expected lifespan and resale value. German tech reviewer PC Games Hardware explicitly recommends the 16GB model, especially for those comfortable with overclocking to extract additional performance.
 |
|---|
| The ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 Ti packaging, representing the controversial 8GB model discussed for its poor performance and value |
Market Position
The RTX 5060 Ti 16GB currently represents the best value in its price segment according to benchmark tests across 20 games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. It outperforms the Radeon RX 7800 XT when overclocked and delivers better performance than the previous generation RTX 4070 in certain scenarios. However, the 8GB variant has been described by some reviewers as possibly the worst mainstream GPU ever tested alongside AMD's RX 6500 XT 4GB.
Buying Advice
For gamers looking to purchase a mid-range graphics card in 2025, the evidence strongly suggests avoiding the 8GB RTX 5060 Ti despite its lower initial cost. The 16GB variant offers substantially better performance in modern games and will likely maintain its value much better over time. Those unable to stretch their budget to the 16GB model might consider waiting for AMD's upcoming RX 9060 series or exploring the second-hand market for previous generation cards with adequate VRAM.
 |
|---|
| The Intel Arc B580 on display, highlighting a strong alternative for gamers looking to avoid the underperforming RTX 5060 Ti 8GB |