I'm planning a build with a Ryzen 5 9600X and am choosing between an RTX 5060 Ti 8GB and a Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB. The Radeon costs about $100 more. I'll play games at fairly sensible settings rather than always targeting ultra graphics, but I'll also use the computer regularly for video editing, coding, 3D modeling, and similar software. Is the extra cost for the RX 9060 XT worthwhile, or would the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB be sufficient?
4 Answers
The main deciding factor is your non-gaming software. If your editing, modeling, coding, or AI tools rely on CUDA or other NVIDIA-specific features, the RTX 5060 Ti may be the safer choice even with 8GB. Otherwise, the RX 9060 XT 16GB is the better general-purpose gaming buy. If possible, also consider saving for an RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, depending on how close its price is to the AMD card.
Try to compare the 16GB RTX 5060 Ti as well. A rough order would be RTX 5060 Ti 16GB first, RX 9060 XT 16GB next, and RTX 5060 Ti 8GB last. If the 16GB NVIDIA model is only slightly more expensive than the AMD card and you can afford it, it may offer the best balance for both gaming and productivity.
I’d choose the RX 9060 XT 16GB for this price difference unless you already know that your work applications need CUDA. AMD generally offers strong rasterized gaming performance and the additional VRAM should help as newer games become more demanding. NVIDIA can still be preferable for CUDA-supported workloads, some creative applications, and certain AI tools, so check the exact programs you use before deciding.
For a new build in 2026, I’d avoid buying an 8GB card unless you specifically need NVIDIA features. Newer games are already pushing beyond 8GB at higher settings, and 16GB gives the card much more breathing room and a longer useful lifespan. The extra $100 could also pay for itself when you eventually sell the card.
Exactly. Without a CUDA requirement or a specific NVIDIA-only feature, the 9060 XT’s extra VRAM makes it the more sensible long-term option.