The rumor mill is active. The topic is the latest graphics card generation from NVIDIA for the mass-market: the GeForce RTX 5060 series. Leaks are emerging, offering a tantalizing glimpse into what Team Green might be preparing for the 1440p gaming sweet spot. Let us examine the speculation and what these early specifications may suggest for the RTX 5060, RTX 5060 Ti, and RTX 5050.
Leaked RTX 5060 Series Specifications: A Summary
Leaked specifications originate from industry insider Kopite7kimi. These offer a glimpse into the upcoming cards. Note that these are not official confirmations. They provide an interesting insight into potential future products. The following chart summarizes the rumored specifications based on these leaks:
| Nvidia GPU | Architecture | CUDA Cores (Alleged) | Memory | Memory Bus | TGP (Alleged) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5060 Ti | Blackwell | 4,608 | 8GB/16GB GDDR7 | 128-bit | 180W |
| RTX 5060 | Blackwell | 3,840 | 8GB GDDR7 | 128-bit | 150W |
| RTX 5050 | Blackwell | 2,560 | 8GB GDDR6 | 128-bit | 130W |
| RTX 4060 Ti (Gen 1) | Ada Lovelace | 4,352 | 8GB/16GB GDDR6 | 128-bit | 165W/160W |
| RTX 4060 (Gen 1) | Ada Lovelace | 3,072 | 8GB GDDR6 | 128-bit | 115W |
Spec Dump Takeaways: Key Improvements
CUDA Core Boost: Increased Processing Power
The RTX 5060 appears to be receiving a significant increase in CUDA cores compared to the RTX 4060. Leaks suggest approximately a 25% increase. More cores typically translate to greater performance in games and applications utilizing GPU power. The real-world performance impact remains to be evaluated.
GDDR7 Memory: Speed Enhancement
A notable rumor indicates both the RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti will utilize GDDR7 memory. GDDR7 promises improved speeds compared to previous generations. Despite a consistent 128-bit memory bus with the RTX 4060 series, faster memory is vital for data delivery to the GPU and overall bandwidth enhancement. The RTX 5060 could achieve around a 65% bandwidth increase over the RTX 4060 due to GDDR7.
Power Consumption: Moderate Increase
Leaked TDP numbers suggest a power consumption increase for the RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti compared to their RTX 4060 counterparts. The RTX 5060, for example, may increase to 150W from the RTX 4060's 115W. This increase is not substantial but implies a need for slightly more robust cooling and power supply.
VRAM: 8GB Standard, 16GB Option for Ti
The RTX 5060 may retain 8GB of VRAM, similar to the RTX 4060. While 8GB remains adequate for many 1080p gaming scenarios, newer titles, especially at higher resolutions or settings, can demand more VRAM. However, the RTX 5060 Ti is rumored to offer both 8GB and 16GB variants, presenting an appealing option for upgraders.
Implications for Gamers
If accurate, these leaks suggest the RTX 5060 series will deliver a substantial performance uplift over the RTX 4060 range. This improvement stems from faster GDDR7 memory and increased CUDA cores. The RTX 5060 aims for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming and potentially entry-level 1440p in some games. The RTX 5060 Ti should target strong 1440p performance.
The 8GB VRAM on the base RTX 5060 might be a point of contention as game VRAM demands grow. Pricing will be crucial. The RTX 4060 launched at approximately $299. Maintaining similar pricing for the RTX 5060 would be important for NVIDIA to sustain its position in the mainstream market.
GTC 2025: Potential Announcement Platform
NVIDIA's GTC conference (March 17-21) is approaching. This event could reveal official announcements or further details about these upcoming GPUs. Until official confirmation, these rumors should be regarded with skepticism. However, speculating about NVIDIA's plans for the RTX 5060 lineup remains engaging.
