I've been using my old laptop with a GTX 1050 and an i7-7700HQ for about seven years, and I'm finally looking to upgrade. My budget is somewhat limited, so I'm considering getting an RTX 5060 along with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600. However, I've seen quite a few people not recommend the RTX 5060. For context, I plan on playing competitively and might even stream or record my gameplay, which means I'll likely stick to low graphic settings. So, is the RTX 5060 worth buying? If not, what would be a better option in a similar price range?
5 Answers
Honestly, I wouldn’t go for the 5060. It’s likely to hold you back in a few years, especially with AAA games even at 1080p. If you can, try to get the 5060 Ti for better longevity.
I upgraded from a 1060 to the 5060 and I think it's a solid upgrade, especially for the price I got it at ($279). I was able to sell my 1060, which helped offset the cost. The 8GB of VRAM is a nice boost over the 6GB I had, especially for video editing work. If you don’t need to play the newest games on ultra settings, it might be worth it for you!
For your gaming needs, the 5060 should be fine. People often forget that not all games use a ton of VRAM at 1080p. If you’re okay with low settings and just want something playable, this GPU could work well for you.
If you're concerned about VRAM, I'd suggest checking out the RX 9060XT with 16GB. It usually costs around the same and will give you a longer usable lifespan and better performance overall.
If you plan to game competitively on low settings, the RTX 5060 should handle it well. However, for the same price, you might want to look at used cards like the RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT. They typically outperform the 5060 and are better for streaming and recording. If you can stretch your budget, the 4060 (non-Ti) is another good option as it’s more efficient and has improved encoding for streaming. The bottom line is that while the 5060 isn't terrible, there are definitely better choices that won't feel outdated quickly.

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