GPU prices in my country are unusually high, and recent increases in RAM, SSD, and other component costs have made the situation worse. My RX 5700 XT recently died, so I'm temporarily using an RX 580, which struggles with newer AAA games. I mainly play at 1080p and am considering an RTX 5060 8GB, but I'm worried that its VRAM capacity could become a serious limitation over the next few years. The prices available to me are $415 for an RTX 5060 8GB, $550 for an RX 9060 XT 16GB, and $530 for an RTX 5060 Ti 8GB. Intel GPUs aren't available here, and used-market options may be worth considering. Should I buy the RTX 5060 now, spend more on the RX 9060 XT 16GB, or wait? Will 8GB of VRAM remain adequate for 1080p AAA gaming, or should I prioritize a card with at least 12GB or 16GB?
4 Answers
I’d also check the used market before deciding. A used RTX 3080 10GB or another higher-tier previous-generation card could offer substantially more performance than the 5060 for similar money, though you should check its condition, power requirements, warranty, and return policy carefully.
For straightforward 1080p gaming, the RTX 5060 should be usable, especially if you’re willing to lower texture quality and other settings later. However, I wouldn’t count on future games becoming better optimized just because memory prices are rising. If you want the card to last several years, 12GB or more would be a safer choice.
Of the three prices you listed, the RX 9060 XT 16GB looks like the strongest long-term purchase. It costs more, but the extra VRAM and somewhat higher performance should make it less likely that you’ll need another upgrade soon. The RTX 5060 Ti appears particularly poor value at that price.
If the RX 9060 XT 16GB is genuinely affordable enough without damaging your budget, that’s the one I’d choose. If stretching to it would be uncomfortable, the RTX 5060 is still a reasonable 1080p stopgap, but expect to use reduced textures or settings in demanding future releases rather than assuming it will remain at ultra quality.
I’d agree with this. The 9060 XT is expensive, but it’s the option least likely to feel constrained by VRAM in newer games.