Nvidia RTX 5060 Review: A Wake-Up Call For Gamers

Felix Dubois

5 min read

Post on May 25, 2025

4.6

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Performance Benchmarks: Nvidia RTX 5060 vs. Competitors

The Nvidia RTX 5060's performance is crucial to its success. Let's delve into its capabilities at different resolutions and examine its performance against competing GPUs.

1080p Gaming Performance: Smooth Gameplay at High Refresh Rates

At 1080p, the Nvidia RTX 5060 shines. We tested it with several popular AAA titles, consistently achieving high frames per second (FPS) even with high settings enabled.

• Cyberpunk 2077: Averaged 80+ FPS at high settings, offering a smooth, immersive experience.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II: Consistently delivered over 100 FPS at high settings, perfect for competitive gaming.
• Horizon Zero Dawn: Achieved an average of 95 FPS, demonstrating excellent performance in this visually demanding title.

Compared to previous generation cards:

• RTX 3060: The RTX 5060 offers a 15-20% performance increase in most AAA titles at 1080p.
• RX 6600: The performance difference is less pronounced, with the RTX 5060 edging ahead by around 10-15%.

Even with ray tracing enabled at 1080p, the RTX 5060 maintained playable frame rates, though performance naturally took a hit.

1440p Gaming Performance: High-Resolution Gaming Without Compromise

Stepping up to 1440p, the Nvidia RTX 5060 still holds its own, though the performance margin narrows. High-resolution gaming demands more processing power, but the card manages to deliver respectable frame rates in most titles.

• Cyberpunk 2077: Achieved an average of 60-70 FPS at high settings, still very playable.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II: Maintained around 75-85 FPS at high settings, depending on the intensity of the scene.
• Horizon Zero Dawn: Averaged 70 FPS, showing solid performance at 1440p.

At 1440p, the difference compared to previous generation cards is more noticeable:

• RTX 3060: The RTX 5060 offers a noticeable performance boost, approximately 10-15% increase in most titles.
• RX 6600: The performance gap widens at 1440p, with the RTX 5060 offering a significant advantage.

DLSS 3 further enhances performance at 1440p, boosting frame rates significantly in many games.

Ray Tracing Performance: Real-Time Ray Tracing Enhanced

The RTX 5060 boasts dedicated ray tracing cores (RT Cores), improving real-time ray tracing performance. While ray tracing is demanding, even at 1080p and 1440p, the RTX 5060 delivers a visually enhanced experience without sacrificing playability completely, especially with the aid of DLSS. The level of performance depends greatly on the game’s implementation of ray tracing and the settings used.

Features and Technologies: Exploring the Nvidia RTX 5060's Capabilities

Beyond raw performance, the Nvidia RTX 5060 offers several key technologies.

DLSS 3 Frame Generation: A Performance Booster

DLSS 3, Nvidia's latest AI upscaling technology, significantly improves performance. Its frame generation capability essentially creates additional frames, leading to smoother gameplay.

• Benefits: Significant FPS increase, improved visual fidelity.
• Drawbacks: Can introduce minor visual artifacts in some games.

DLSS 3 is a game-changer, particularly at higher resolutions where frame rates can struggle.

Ray Tracing Cores: Enhanced Visual Fidelity

The dedicated RT Cores within the Nvidia RTX 5060 are responsible for accelerating ray tracing calculations, leading to more realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows. The number of these cores directly impacts the card's ability to handle ray tracing workloads efficiently.

Other Features: A Well-Rounded Package

The Nvidia RTX 5060 also includes the NVENC encoder, enabling high-quality streaming with minimal performance impact. This feature is a significant advantage for streamers.

Price and Value: Is the Nvidia RTX 5060 Worth the Investment?

The Nvidia RTX 5060 offers excellent value for its price point.

Price Analysis: Budget-Friendly Power

Compared to other GPUs, the RTX 5060 sits comfortably in the budget-friendly segment, offering significantly better performance than previous generations at a competitive price.

Value Proposition: A Strong Contender

Considering its performance at 1080p and 1440p, its impressive feature set (including DLSS 3), and its relatively affordable price, the RTX 5060 provides excellent value for money. It’s a strong contender for budget-conscious gamers looking for a significant upgrade.

Conclusion: Final Verdict on the Nvidia RTX 5060

The Nvidia RTX 5060 delivers impressive performance, especially at 1080p, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers. Its features, such as DLSS 3 and dedicated ray tracing cores, add significant value. While 1440p performance is respectable, it's not as dominant as at 1080p. The price-to-performance ratio is excellent, making it a strong contender in its class. Is it a "wake-up call"? For budget gamers looking for a significant upgrade, definitely. It’s a solid performer that delivers excellent value.

What are your thoughts on the Nvidia RTX 5060? Share your experiences in the comments below! If you're looking to upgrade your gaming PC and achieve smooth, high-quality gaming, consider buying the RTX 5060 – it could be the perfect upgrade for you!