I'm planning to upgrade my PC from an RTX 3060 12GB. My two options are an RTX 5060 8GB and an RX 9060 XT 16GB. They're available at similar prices, so which card would be the better choice for gaming and long-term use? Update: I ended up buying an RTX 5070—thanks everyone for the advice!
5 Answers
I’ve been using an RX 9060 XT 16GB and it has performed really well overall. Some people have reported frustrations with driver updates, but that hasn’t been a major issue for me.
I’d avoid the RTX 5060 here. Moving from 12GB of VRAM in your RTX 3060 to just 8GB could become a problem, especially in newer games. The RX 9060 XT 16GB gives you more breathing room and is generally the better value.
If your budget stretches further, a higher-tier card such as an RTX 5070 or RX 9070 GRE would be a more substantial upgrade. Between the original two choices, though, I’d pick the 9060 XT 16GB without hesitation.
The RX 9060 XT 16GB is the stronger choice between these two. It offers much more VRAM and performance close to the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, making it a better upgrade for current and future games.
The RX 9060 XT is also worth considering if you use Linux, since it tends to work well there. Just make sure its drivers and the games you play meet your needs before buying.

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