GPU prices are already high in my country and have risen further with increasing RAM, SSD, and component costs. My RX 5700 XT recently died, so I'm temporarily using an RX 580, which struggles with newer AAA games. I play at 1080p and am considering an RTX 5060 8GB, but I'm concerned that its VRAM may become a serious limitation over the next few years. The local prices are approximately $415 for the RTX 5060 8GB, $550 for the RX 9060 XT 16GB, and $530 for the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB. Intel GPUs aren't available here. Would the RTX 5060 be enough for 1080p AAA gaming for the next few years, or would it be better to spend more on the RX 9060 XT 16GB or wait?
4 Answers
At 1080p, the RTX 5060 should be playable for now, but you may need to lower texture quality and other settings in newer games as time goes on. The 8GB VRAM is the main concern, and there’s no guarantee developers will optimize games better because of higher memory prices. If you want the card to last several years, 12GB or more would be safer.
Of the three options, the RX 9060 XT 16GB seems like the best long-term purchase. It costs more, but the extra VRAM gives it much more breathing room for newer AAA games. The RTX 5060 Ti doesn’t look particularly attractive at that price because it costs almost as much as the 9060 XT without offering the same memory capacity.
If the extra $135 for the RX 9060 XT 16GB would put too much strain on your budget, the RTX 5060 is still a reasonable emergency upgrade from an RX 580. It should handle 1080p well today, but expect to use upscaling, frame generation, or reduced textures in demanding games rather than assuming it will run everything at maximum settings for years.
I’d also check the used market before deciding. A lightly used RTX 3080 or another higher-tier previous-generation card could offer considerably more performance for around the same money, though you should check its condition, power requirements, and remaining warranty carefully.
That’s worth considering, especially since an older high-end card can outperform the RTX 5060. Just remember that cards such as the 3080 use more power and still have limited VRAM, so it may not be the best choice for long-term longevity.