I'm replacing my RTX 2060 6GB and want a GPU with enough headroom for future games, so 16GB of VRAM is important. My system currently uses a Ryzen 5 3600, 32GB of DDR4, and a PCIe 3.0 motherboard. I'm planning to stay on AM4 and may upgrade the CPU to a Ryzen 7 5700X.
The two GPUs I'm considering are the Sapphire Pulse RX 9060 XT 16GB for €560 and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB for €650. The RTX 5060 Ti may be slightly faster, but it uses an x8 PCIe connection, while the RX 9060 XT uses the full x16 connection. Both cards support PCIe 5.0, though my motherboard is limited to PCIe 3.0. I've heard the bandwidth difference should only have a minor effect, but I'd like advice on which card offers the better value for gaming. Should I spend the extra €90 on the RTX 5060 Ti, or save the money for a future CPU or other upgrade?
2 Answers
AM4 still has plenty of life left, especially for 1440p gaming. A Ryzen 7 5700X should pair well with a stronger GPU, and an X3D processor would be even better if you play CPU-heavy or high-refresh games. I’d prioritize the GPU first, choose the RX 9060 XT for its price, and keep the platform rather than spending extra on the RTX 5060 Ti without a clear feature or performance advantage.
For gaming, the two cards are close enough that the RTX 5060 Ti probably isn’t worth an extra €90. I’d take the RX 9060 XT and keep the difference for another upgrade. The PCIe x8 limitation is worth being aware of, but it shouldn’t outweigh the price difference in this situation.
If you’re willing to spend more than planned, it may be worth looking at a higher-tier card such as the RX 9070 XT instead, but between these two I’d choose the cheaper RX 9060 XT.