Unlike the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, which had a decent launch in most regions, the same can’t be said for the 8GB variant, with some sales data suggesting it was mostly ignored by customers. Part of the reason behind this disappointment was the low VRAM, as modern games like the recently launched The Last of Us Part II Remastered struggle to run within an 8GB limit, leaving many to question, “Why is there still an 8GB version?“

On top of that, there was also the issue of a “paper launch,” as many physical stores didn't receive any GPUs, with tech analysts like Moore's Law is Dead saying, “With the RTX 5060 Ti, we might be closer than ever before to literally having a paper launch. Whether Nvidia wants to admit it or not.” Some also described the event as a “stealth launch,” as Nvidia allegedly withheld the 8GB version from reviewers entirely.

There should never have been an RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, says Hardware Unboxed

One of the most popular hardware review channels on YouTube, Hardware Unboxed, mentioned in a previous video that “AIBs will not be supplying the 8 GB card for reviews, because Nvidia had explicitly prevented them from doing so.” However, it seems Nvidia's attempt to hide the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB from reviewers is now starting to settle, as Hardware Unboxed has finally gotten their hands on the $379 GPU, and it's starting to make sense why Nvidia tried to keep it under wraps.

According to Hardware Unboxed, the RTX 5060 Ti  8 GB is destined to be “instantly obsolete”. The reviewer explains that buyers are likely to “keep it for the next three years,” and 8 GB of VRAM over that period will be about as usable as 4 GB cards are today. They go on to call the RTX 5060 Ti  8 GB strategy “planned obsolescence,” since it gives Nvidia an easy path to sell a new or refreshed product mid‑generation or in the next generation.

We need more GPU competition

Nvidia's move to release a GPU with the same amount of VRAM as the GTX 1070, a nearly nine-year-old graphics card, may cause gamers to look elsewhere. The budget GPU market is currently sparse, and Intel's Arc B series (Arc B580 and Arc B570) has shown there's demand for a product that offers solid 1440p performance, plenty of VRAM compared to the competition, and an affordable price.

With consumers losing interest in Nvidia's offerings, it’s the perfect time for companies like Intel and AMD to challenge Nvidia's dominance, particularly in the budget and mid-range segments. This all means we eagerly await the RX 9060 XT release date.

About the Author

Hassam Nasir

Hassam boasts over seven years of professional experience as a dedicated PC hardware reviewer and writer.