As a new member of the Blackwell architecture family, NVIDIA’s upcoming GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card is a key product targeting the mainstream mid-range market. Although the official release date has yet to be announced, leaks from Chinese retailers have already revealed some critical details, giving us an initial glimpse of what this product has in store.
According to the latest leaks, the GeForce RTX 5060 will come equipped with 12GB of GDDR7 VRAM—a capacity that immediately catches the eye. Previous leaks had widely suggested that the RTX 5060 would feature 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM, making this 12GB version a first-time report. Of course, this could be a labeling error by the retailer, but it’s also possible that NVIDIA has opted for 3GB GDDR7 modules to boost VRAM capacity. Meanwhile, the RTX 5060 Ti is expected to offer both 8GB and 16GB VRAM configurations, continuing NVIDIA’s strategy of providing diverse options across different performance tiers. However, unlike the RTX 3060’s 12GB version, which used a 192-bit memory bus, the RTX 5060’s 12GB version will stick to a 128-bit interface. While this limits bandwidth, the high-speed nature of GDDR7—running at 28 Gbps and delivering up to 448 GB/s of bandwidth—could offset the shortfall, offering a roughly 65% improvement over the RTX 4060’s 272 GB/s.
In terms of specs, the RTX 5060 is powered by the GB206 chip and boasts 3,840 CUDA cores—a 25% increase over the RTX 4060’s 3,072 cores—promising a noticeable performance boost. Power consumption is kept at 150W, lower than the RTX 3060’s 170W but slightly higher than the RTX 4060’s 130W, striking a balance between performance and efficiency. The RTX 5060 Ti takes it a step further with 4,608 CUDA cores and a 180W power draw, positioning it a tier higher. Both cards leverage the Blackwell architecture and support the latest DLSS 4 technology, expected to excel in ray tracing and AI-enhanced rendering, making them particularly well-suited for 1080p to 1440p gaming.
Energy efficiency is another highlight of the RTX 5060 series. The Blackwell architecture introduces low-latency sleep modes and accelerated frequency-switching technology, making the GPU more power-efficient under light loads. This can extend battery life in gaming and AI tasks by up to 1.4 times compared to the previous generation—a significant advantage for manufacturers planning to release RTX 5060 laptop variants, which are expected to debut gradually around mid-year.
On the pricing front, Chinese retailers have listed pre-sale prices at 3,799 RMB (approximately $535 USD) for the RTX 5060 12GB version and 4,299 RMB (around $605 USD) for the RTX 5060 Ti. These prices are notably higher than anticipated, especially considering the RTX 4060 launched at $299 USD. The market had generally expected the RTX 5060 to stay around $300 USD, with the RTX 5060 Ti closer to $400 USD. Official retail prices are still pending confirmation, but given the overall performance gains of the Blackwell series and the rising costs of GDDR7, a price increase isn’t entirely unexpected.
From a market positioning standpoint, the RTX 5060 series is designed to replace the RTX 4060 as the go-to choice for budget-conscious gamers. The addition of 12GB VRAM is particularly significant, as modern games increasingly demand more memory. For instance, titles like Cyberpunk 2077 recommend 12GB or more VRAM for high-quality settings at 1440p resolution, making this upgrade a forward-looking move for the RTX 5060. By comparison, the RTX 5060 Ti’s 16GB version offers headroom for users chasing higher performance, potentially excelling in professional creative workloads and multitasking.
Notably, NVIDIA appears to be accelerating its rollout of the Blackwell series. High-end models like the RTX 5090 and 5080 debuted earlier this year, while the RTX 5070 series is slated for February, and the RTX 5060 series could hit shelves as early as late March or early April. This aggressive timeline puts pressure on competitors AMD and Intel. Rumors suggest AMD’s Radeon RX 9060 series will also launch in Q2, offering 8GB and 16GB options, intensifying competition in the market.
With higher core counts, faster VRAM, and moderate power consumption, the RTX 5060 series brings fresh energy to the mid-range segment. While the authenticity of the 12GB version remains unconfirmed, its potential value is undeniable. If priced reasonably, this GPU could emerge as one of 2025’s best value-for-money options. As the release date approaches, more details will surface, and tech enthusiasts should keep their eyes peeled.