AMD RX 9060 XT model roundup: all the announced GPUs from ASUS, Gigabyte, PowerColor, and more
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The RX 9060 XT release is upon us, and there are plenty of models to choose from. As early as before the car debuted, many manufacturers have shown off what they are bringing. Now, 9060 XT reviews have come out to show what some of these cards are capable of performing and giving us an insight into whether they are worth considering.
AMD’s new graphics card aims to target Nvidia’s RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti, and also comes in a controversial two memory capacity sizes, 8 GB and 16 GB. Apart from the memory, the two only differ by the TBP and price. The lower VRAM model has a 150W rating at an MSRP of $299, as the 16GB is rated for 16GB with a $349 price point.
Both of these versions seem to get mostly the same models from each manufacturer, but not all of them are. So here is a look at what you can expect to find. And if you’re looking to buy one on launch day or beyond, check out our comprehensive Where to buy RX 9060 XT guide.
ASRock
ASRock offers two distinct models of the RX 9060 XT graphics card: the premium Steel Legend and the more budget-friendly Challenger. Both models come factory overclocked, providing enhanced performance right out of the box.
ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend
The Steel Legend is ASRock’s flagship RX 9060 XT. It boasts a striking white triple-fan cooler design, featuring a white shroud, RGB-illuminated fans, and subtle grey accents. This model is available in both an 8GB and a 16GB VRAM configuration.
For superior thermal management, the Steel Legend employs a nickel-plated copper base and ultra-fit heat pipes that are tightly packed near the contact point for maximum heat transfer. ASRock also utilizes high-density metal welding, which is claimed to further improve heat dissipation. Power delivery is robust, featuring a Dr. MOS integrated power stage solution and premium power chokes for stable and efficient performance.
A notable feature of the Steel Legend is its internal ARGB header. This allows the GPU to directly control ARGB components, which is especially beneficial for those who may not have any ports on older or budget motherboards.
ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger
The Challenger is ASRock’s more compact and affordable RX 9060 XT option. It features a dual-fan cooler design with a sleek black finish, minimal RGB lighting, and grey accents.
Despite its smaller size, the Challenger incorporates key cooling technologies found in the Steel Legend, including the high-density metal welding and ultra-fit heat pipes, albeit in a more compact cooling solution. Power delivery is handled by Dr. MOS power stages and premium 90A power chokes, ensuring reliable operation for this budget-friendly card.
Although it also incorporates an LED switch, it’s only for the card itself, and no port for other RGB components like the Steel Legend has to offer.
ASUS
ASUS offers four different versions of the RX 9060 XT graphics card, catering to various preferences and budgets. These include one Dual model (8GB), two Prime variants (8 and 16GB), and a single TUF Gaming option (16GB).
ASUS TUF Gaming RX 9060 XT
The TUF Gaming card stands as ASUS’s flagship for the RX 9060 XT series. It features a rugged, militaristic design with aggressive edges and a gunmetal color scheme accented with silver. This 2.5-slot card boasts a triple-fan cooling solution and is built with “Military-Grade Components,” including TUF-branded chokes and MOSFETs, ensuring durability and stable performance.
ASUS Prime RX 9060 XT
The Prime cards share the same 2.5-slot form factor and a similar triple-fan cooler design as the TUF Gaming model. However, their aesthetic is notably different, offering a less aggressive black finish with a very rounded shroud. The Prime models are designed to seamlessly fit into both gaming and non-gaming PC builds, offering a versatile look.
ASUS Dual RX 9060 XT
The Dual model is ASUS’s entry-level and only dual-fan cooling solution for the RX 9060 XT lineup. While it maintains the same 2.5-slot design as its triple-fan counterparts, its dual-fan cooler makes it significantly shorter. The card features a stealthy black color scheme and does not include any RGB lighting, making it a discreet option for those who prefer a less flashy build.
Gigabyte
Gigabyte currently offers a single model of the RX 9060 XT, the Gaming model, which features a triple-fan cooler design. This specific model is available in four versions: an 8GB, a 16GB, and factory-overclocked variants of both.
Typically, Gigabyte’s Gaming series represents its mid-range solution, positioned above the Windforce and Eagle series and below the premium Aorus series. The cooling system of the RX 9060 XT Gaming is comprised of a triple-fan cooling solution with composite copper heat pipes and a copper plate that directly connects the GPU, VRAM, and heatsink to maximize heat transfer. For stable power delivery, the card utilizes lower RDS(on) MOSFETs and ESR solid capacitors.
The card also employs Gigabyte’s “server-grade” thermal conductive gel. Aesthetically, the exterior of the RX 9060 XT Gaming is largely minimalistic, sporting a rugged-esque grey finish with subtle RGB lighting.
PowerColor
PowerColor is offering just a couple of models for the RX 9060 XT. The Hellhound and Reaper both come in 16GB and 8GB variants, with the former also offering a white colorway for the higher-capacity memory.
PowerColor Hellhound RX 9060 XT
The larger of the models is the Hellhound, which features an 80MHz higher overclock, as it utilizes Honeywell’s phase change pad for its thermal conductivity properties, eliminating the issues that thermal paste can cause. Even with the higher-rated clock rate, it provides a BIOS switch for choosing between more performance and a silent option, rather than changing the fan curve and clock rate.
PowerColor Hellhound Spectral White RX 9060 XT
PowerColor Hellhound RX 9060 XT
When it comes to the design, it’s a rather sleek-looking card, with both clean faces and smooth edges that make for a simpler option. On the backplate, there’s a cutout on the end that gives the third fan a flow-through space to improve its cooling capability. Also, implementing a blue LED on the end adds a splash of light that can be controlled with a single switch on the card.
For the power, it has a 5+1 phase design with a 2+1 phase memory power supply. Utilizing both conductive polymer capacitors for both thermal stability and durability. It uses a 10-layer high thermal conductivity material that keeps the signal stable.
PowerColor Reaper RX 9060 XT
The smaller of the two cards cuts down the size and cooling to the length of the two fans. Keeping the design more muted and simple, it’s a lot more boxy compared to the Hellhound, while still rounding it off, tho keep it smooth and a bit nicer looking.
Even with it being the more budget-friendly choice of card, it still has the Honeywell phase change interface for moving heat away from the die. That is transferring to the heatsink that’s directly in contact with a nickel-plated copper plate to move it across the heatsink.
Sapphire
Sapphire, a renowned AMD partner, offers four distinct RX 9060 XT models: one Nitro+ variant, one Pure variant, and two Pulse models.
Sapphire Nitro+ RX 9060 XT
The Nitro+ model serves as Sapphire’s flagship RX 9060 XT, exclusively available in a 16GB capacity. This is one of the most unique RX 9060 XT cards, boasting a substantial triple-slot cooler design with a prominent side grille that enhances both aesthetics and functionality. The large side area allows Sapphire to incorporate an RGB light bar at the bottom while providing ample room for efficient airflow.
The Nitro+ variant is packed with features, including fuse protection, fan quick disconnects (for effortless fan replacement), an internal ARGB header, and FrameDefense, a specialized architecture designed to improve graphics card durability and rigidity. A notable cooling innovation is the use of a Honeywell PTM7950 thermal pad instead of traditional thermal paste. This significantly extends the card’s lifespan by mitigating the effects of thermal paste degradation or “pump-out” over time.
It’s worth noting that, unlike its RX 9070 series counterparts, the RX 9060 XT Nitro+ variant does not feature a hidden 12V-2×6 power connector. Instead, Sapphire has placed the 8-pin power connector in its standard side location, as commonly seen on most graphics cards.
Sapphire Pure RX 9060 XT
The Pure variant is technically Sapphire’s mid-range offering. It features a distinctive white finish and a dual-fan cooler design. In the context of the RX 9060 XT lineup, the Pure model is essentially a white version of the Pulse.
Sapphire Pulse RX 9060 XT
The Pulse models represent Sapphire’s entry-level solutions. They feature a sleek black finish with red accents. Both the Pure and Pulse models share several key features with the flagship Nitro+, including the advanced Honeywell PTM7950 thermal pad and FrameDefense for enhanced durability. The primary advantage of the Pure and Pulse models lies in their more compact 2.3-slot form factor and shorter footprint, attributed to their efficient dual-fan cooler designs.
XFX
Unlike some other manufacturers, XFX offers a vast selection of RX 9060 XT models, totaling an impressive twelve variants. These options encompass both triple-fan and dual-fan cooler designs, available in 8GB and 16GB VRAM configurations. In characteristic XFX style, detailed feature sets beyond core specifications are rarely highlighted. Notably, despite the wide array of models, none of XFX’s RX 9060 XT cards are factory overclocked.
XFX Mercury RX 9060 XT
The Mercury class serves as XFX’s flagship lineup for the RX 9060 XT. It consists of two functionally identical 16GB triple-fan models, with the only discernible difference being their specific model names. The Mercury cards feature an aggressive-looking triple-fan design with a sharp, angular shroud and a distinctive silver color scheme.
XFX Mercury 9060 XT Gaming
XFX Mercury 9060 XT White Gaming
XFX Swift RX 9060 XT
The Swift class represents XFX’s mainstream offering for the RX 9060 XT graphics cards, providing both triple-fan and dual-fan cooler options.
XFX Swift RX 9060 XT Gaming
XFX Swift RX 9060 XT White Gaming
XFX Swift RX 9060 XT White Triple Fan Gaming
XFX Swift RX 9060 XT Triple Fan Gaming
The triple-fan Swift options comprise five models: three with 16GB VRAM and two with 8GB VRAM. Among these, two models are white and four are black. These triple-fan cards showcase a boxy shroud design with either a pure white or pure black color scheme, complemented by an illuminated XFX logo on the right side.
The dual-fan Swift options also include five models: four in black and two in white. Three of these cards are 8GB variants, while the remaining two are 16 GB. These more compact cards maintain the same aesthetic and shroud design as their triple-fan counterparts but do not feature illumination on the XFX logo.
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