The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is the latest entry-level graphics card in NVIDIA’s GeForce 50-series lineup, officially released on May 19, 2025. Arriving just in time for the Computex trade show in Taipei, the RTX 5060 brings the new Blackwell architecture to mainstream gamers and creators, offering next-generation performance at an accessible price point.
Release Timeline
- Announcement Date: NVIDIA confirmed the RTX 5060 on April 15, 2025, just one day before launching the higher-tier RTX 5060 Ti on April 16.
- Launch Date: Both desktop and laptop versions of the RTX 5060 became available on May 19, 2025, with sales beginning at 9 a.m. EST.
- Context: The release aligned with Computex 2025, highlighting NVIDIA’s continued focus on bringing its latest GPU architecture to a wide audience.
RTX 5060 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| GPU Architecture | NVIDIA Blackwell (GB206) |
| Process Node | 5 nm |
| CUDA Cores | 3,840 |
| Base Clock | ~1.9 GHz (varies by model) |
| Boost Clock | ~2.5 GHz (varies by model) |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~448 GB/s |
| TDP (Power Draw) | 140W |
| Features | DLSS 4, Multi-Frame Generation, Ray Tracing, PCIe 5.0, DisplayPort 2.1 |
| Launch Price (Desktop) | $299 USD |
| Laptop Starting Price | $1,099 USD |
Key Features
The RTX 5060 introduces several major upgrades over its predecessor:
- Blackwell GPU Architecture – The foundation of NVIDIA’s 50-series, delivering improved efficiency, ray tracing, and AI acceleration.
- DLSS 4 Support – Featuring multi-frame generation and advanced neural rendering for smoother gameplay and higher frame rates, even in demanding titles.
- Mainstream Accessibility – Positioned as an affordable entry point into the Blackwell generation, making cutting-edge graphics technology more widely available.
Performance: RTX 5060 vs. RTX 4060
Early benchmarks and reviews have shown that the RTX 5060 delivers between 25–35% higher performance compared to the RTX 4060 in most modern titles at 1080p and 1440p.
| Game / Test | RTX 4060 (Avg FPS) | RTX 5060 (Avg FPS) | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Ultra, DLSS On) | 62 FPS | 84 FPS | +35% |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1440p High) | 118 FPS | 152 FPS | +29% |
| Fortnite (Epic Settings, DLSS On) | 178 FPS | 225 FPS | +26% |
| 3DMark Time Spy (Score) | 10,800 | 14,300 | +32% |
Key Takeaways
- Better Ray Tracing: Thanks to Blackwell’s improved RT cores, the RTX 5060 handles ray-traced workloads significantly better than the RTX 4060.
- DLSS 4 Advantage: Multi-frame generation provides smoother gameplay at higher resolutions, something the RTX 4060 can’t match.
- Efficiency Gains: Despite higher performance, the RTX 5060 maintains a modest 140W TDP, only slightly above the RTX 4060’s 115W.
Availability and Pricing
The RTX 5060 launched globally on May 19, 2025, with both desktop add-in cards (AIB partner models only, no Founders Edition) and laptop variants hitting the market simultaneously.
- Desktop Pricing: Starting at $299.
- Laptop Pricing: Starting at $1,099, depending on OEM configurations.
Why It Matters
The RTX 5060 represents NVIDIA’s push to bring AI-enhanced gaming and content creation tools to a broader audience. With DLSS 4 and Blackwell-powered efficiency, it offers a significant leap forward for budget-conscious gamers who still want access to next-gen features like real-time ray tracing and advanced upscaling.
