AMD RX 9060 XT vs RTX 5060: Which Budget GPU Wins in 2025?
Looking for the best budget GPU in 2025? The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT is set to challenge Nvidia’s RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti in the mid-range graphics card market. With a starting price of $299, AMD is targeting 1080p and 1440p gamers who want top-tier performance without breaking the bank. The RX 9060 XT is part of AMD’s new RDNA 4 architecture, promising a strong alternative to Nvidia’s 50-series cards — especially for those frustrated with the controversial 8GB VRAM limitation on modern GPUs.
RX 9060 XT Release Date, Pricing & Variants
Announced at Computex 2025, the AMD RX 9060 XT will officially launch on June 5, 2025. The GPU will come in two configurations:
AMD appears to be mimicking Nvidia’s polarizing decision to offer an 8GB version in a market where modern AAA titles increasingly demand more VRAM for smooth gameplay — particularly at higher resolutions or with ray tracing enabled. However, AMD’s competitive pricing and performance metrics may tilt the balance for budget-conscious gamers.
RX 9060 XT Specs: What You Get for the Price
The RX 9060 XT features the following key specs:
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32 RDNA 4 compute units
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Boost clock up to 3.13GHz
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Support for DisplayPort 2.1a and HDMI 2.1b
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Board power range: 150W–182W depending on model
AMD claims the 16GB RX 9060 XT outperforms the Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti by approximately 6% at 1440p, based on internal testing across 40 popular game titles. This positions the card as a high-performance option for esports and AAA gaming without stretching your power supply or your wallet.
VRAM Controversy: AMD Follows Nvidia’s 8GB Trend
Despite ongoing debates in the gaming community, AMD's decision to release an 8GB version of its new GPU mirrors Nvidia’s widely criticized move. Recent titles like Alan Wake 2, Starfield, and Cyberpunk 2077 demand more VRAM than ever before, raising concerns about long-term viability. While 8GB may suffice for now at 1080p, 16GB VRAM GPUs are fast becoming the safer investment for future-proof gaming.
Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Launch Marred by Missing Reviews
Oddly, Nvidia launched the RTX 5060 without pre-release reviews, allegedly withholding drivers from major tech outlets. This has sparked speculation that the company may be trying to avoid early negative feedback, especially regarding its 8GB VRAM configuration. YouTube channel Gamers Nexus even reported potential pressure from Nvidia to frame reviews around Multi Frame Generation (MFG), a proprietary performance-enhancing feature that AMD cards currently lack.
Should You Buy the RX 9060 XT?
For gamers focused on value, power efficiency, and high frame rates at 1080p or 1440p, the AMD RX 9060 XT looks like a compelling upgrade in 2025. The 16GB model, in particular, is ideal for creators and gamers running texture.
If AMD’s performance claims hold true under third-party testing, the RX 9060 XT could be the best GPU under $350 this year. And with fierce competition from Nvidia, buyers can expect ongoing driver improvements, software updates, and aggressive pricing.
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