Nvidia RTX 5060 Launches: Should You Wait?

Nvidia announced the launch of the RTX 5060 alongside the RTX 5060 Ti in April 2025, and the more budget-friendly RTX 5060 is now hitting the market, following its reveal at Computex.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 is priced at a starting point of $299, offering 3,840 CUDA cores spread across 30 Streaming Multiprocessors, which is well-suited for 1080p gaming. Nvidia boasts that the RTX 5060 can achieve remarkable performance at this resolution. For example, it claims the RTX 5060 can reach 223 fps in Doom: The Dark Ages at 1080p with max settings, albeit with 4x multi-frame generation enabled.

A key feature Nvidia is highlighting with this new generation of GPUs is Multi-Frame Generation. Even though the RTX 5060 is the entry-level model in the lineup, it fully supports Multi-Frame Generation and the entire DLSS 4 technology suite. However, with only 30 Streaming Multiprocessors, there are limits to what DLSS can achieve.

It's important to note that the $299 price is just the starting point. While some RTX 5060 models will be available at this price, many others will be pricier, often featuring enhancements such as factory-tuned overclocking and RGB lighting.

Reviews Are Coming... Later

Even though the RTX 5060 offers a reasonable entry point into high-performance gaming – provided the $299 MSRP remains consistent – it's wise to wait for reviews before making a purchase. Nvidia's performance claims are impressive, but they are based on tests with Multi-Frame Generation enabled. We'll need lab results to understand its true capabilities.

Unfortunately, initial reviews might be delayed. Unlike previous launches such as the RTX 5090, Nvidia isn't providing early drivers to the press, so comprehensive reviews might not be available for the first week or so of the RTX 5060's release. While the RTX 5060 is expected to be a solid 1080p card, the rest of the Blackwell lineup has shown modest generational improvements.

The RTX 5060 might exhibit similar performance gains as seen with the RTX 5070 over its predecessor, especially in traditional gaming scenarios without frame generation. When asked about the performance uplift over the RTX 4060, Nvidia stated that the RTX 5060 could see up to double the performance with frame generation enabled, but only around a 20% increase in games without ray tracing or frame generation – and that's under optimal conditions.

As with any high-cost tech purchase, my recommendation is to wait for reviews before buying, to ensure you're getting the best value for your money. Those reviews will be available soon, even if it takes a few extra days.