Nvidia is boosting the RTX 5060's core count, but it still has 8GB of VRAM

Kopite7kimi has provided insights into the specifications of Nvidia’s RTX 5060 through a recent leak, indicating a substantial increase in CUDA core count compared to Nvidia’s previous generation RTX 4060. Unfortunately, Nvidia continues to use an 8GB frame buffer with its RTX 5060. This could result in many gamers encountering VRAM-related challenges, as numerous modern PC games need more than 8GB of VRAM for optimal performance.

Featuring 3840 CUDA cores, Nvidia’s RTX 5060 offers a 25% increase in CUDA cores over its predecessor. With a thermal design power (TDP) of 150W, it also provides 30% more power to utilize. Thanks to its GDDR7 memory, it should have sufficient bandwidth.

Beyond its memory capacity, Nvidia’s RTX 5060 presents noteworthy improvements across all areas. Even though its memory bus width stays at 128-bit, the transition to GDDR7 is expected to offer a significant boost in memory performance. Coupled with Blackwell’s architectural upgrades, Nvidia’s RTX 5060 is poised for success.

Regrettably, this leak does not mention any prospect of a 12GB RTX 5060. We know that 3GB GDDR7 memory modules are available. Therefore, there is no reason Nvidia cannot counteract the RTX 5060’s primary limitation by producing a 12GB variant. If Nvidia were to launch this GPU as 12GB, it could become an excellent option for the current mid-range market. If Nvidia proceeds with its RTX 5060 as an 8GB GPU, it will be seen as a compromised offering.

According to rumors, NVIDIA is expected to unveil new cards this month, with availability starting from April. The precise timeline remains to be verified.

As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.