We lately checked out Nvidia’s new GeForce RTX 5060 Ti graphics playing cards in each 8GB and 16GB variants. The 16GB mannequin performs fairly effectively, particularly within the present market if it was accessible for the $430 MSRP. The 8GB mannequin, however, is a horrible entice for avid gamers. Even on the $380 MSRP, it’s a closely compromised GPU that can age poorly.
Granted, 8GB continues to be sufficient VRAM to play the overwhelming majority of video games on the market. In truth, you possibly can play any and all video games with the precise high quality settings. Nonetheless, that does not imply these settings are essentially the most applicable for a model new $400 GPU.
This inadequacy of recent “mid-range” 8GB GPUs is what we explored in our latest evaluation. We demonstrated how compromised the 8GB RTX 5060 Ti is in fashionable video games when utilizing what would in any other case be cheap high quality settings – if solely it had sufficient VRAM. Those self same shortcomings are absent within the barely dearer 16GB mannequin.
The outcomes had been eye-opening for a lot of avid gamers, particularly for many who have not adopted VRAM points as carefully as we’ve got over the previous few years.
It is encouraging to see that the overwhelming majority of avid gamers now agree: 8GB of VRAM in 2025 is not sufficient and shouldn’t be paired with a GPU priced over $200.
With this in thoughts, a lot of you expressed curiosity in seeing how the 8GB 5060 Ti compares to the Intel Arc B580 in these VRAM-limited situations. The B580 was an instantaneous hit, partially as a result of it delivered 12GB of VRAM to the mainstream for simply $250. Sadly, that value level has hardly ever been a actuality, with B580s usually going for round $330 – at the very least 32% above MSRP.
It’s laborious to suggest the B580 at that value, though the 8GB 5060 Ti prices about 35% extra. Take note, although, that when not VRAM-limited, the GeForce GPU is, on common, about 40% quicker. However as issues at the moment stand, there isn’t a actual different to the Intel B580 for these seeking to spend lower than $400 on a GPU. Should you’re in that boat, we absolutely suggest ready to see what the Radeon RX 9060 sequence will provide quickly.
The Setup
In the present day’s evaluation is solely for science, it isn’t shopping for recommendation. We don’t suggest buying both the B580 or the 5060 Ti 8GB. Intel’s GPU is a good product on the $250 MSRP. If you will discover one at that value, we cannot remorse the acquisition. The 5060 Ti 8GB, nonetheless, is a steaming pile – even at $380 – so it needs to be prevented.
What makes this comparability attention-grabbing is that the 5060 Ti 8GB needs to be a lot quicker than the B580 – it is a whole product tier above it, presumably two product tiers.
For instance, when not restricted by VRAM at 1440p, the GeForce GPU is 60% quicker in Counter-Strike 2 and Black Delusion: Wukong, 50% quicker in God of Struggle Ragnarök, and 30% quicker in F1 24 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. On common, throughout a variety of video games, the 5060 Ti is roughly 40% quicker.
For context, the RTX 5070 is ~30% quicker than the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, the 5070 Ti is ~20% quicker than the 5070, and the RTX 5080 is ~13% quicker than the 5070 Ti. By no means ought to the 5060 Ti 8GB be slower than the Arc B580 – that merely should not occur. And for the 16GB mannequin, it would not. So let’s check out a number of the extra VRAM restricted situations.
For all of this testing, we used the Ryzen 9800X3D and 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30 reminiscence which is a PCIe 5.0-enabled AM5 system. This represents a best-case situation for working over the VRAM buffer with the RTX 5060 Ti. Outcomes on a PCIe 4.0 system might be worse – and considerably worse on PCIe 3.0. This setup additionally offers a best-case situation for the Intel B580, which requires extra CPU sources in comparison with the 5060 Ti. Nonetheless, it is a “for science” take a look at analyzing VRAM utilization on two very totally different GPUs.
Lastly, please notice that for upscaling, we used DLSS on the 5060 Ti and FSR on the B580. XeSS scales in another way from DLSS and FSR. For instance, High quality XeSS scales from a decrease render decision than High quality DLSS and FSR, making direct comparisons much less exact.
Okay, let’s get into it…
Benchmarks
The Final of Us Half II
4K Upscaling Q, Very Excessive Preset
First up, we’ve got The Final of Us Half II at 4K with high quality upscaling, utilizing the very excessive preset. Efficiency from both GPU is not notably good right here. Even the B580 seems to be working into VRAM limits, with common body time spikes suggesting that 16GB of VRAM is actually wanted to play underneath these circumstances.
Nonetheless, whereas neither GPU carried out effectively, the B580 really fared higher than the RTX 5060 Ti – one thing we might by no means count on. Nonetheless, the scenario right here is way from perfect, so it is troublesome to contemplate this a win for the B580. Let’s strive once more at 1440p.
1440p Upscaling Q, Very Excessive Preset
At 1440p with high quality upscaling, the B580 achieved 82 fps on common, providing very playable efficiency. Extra importantly, we recorded 1% lows of 68 fps with no body time spikes or different points – the expertise was wonderful.
The 5060 Ti 8GB, however, was a catastrophe, struggling common body time points. Its 1% lows lagged behind by about 60%, making the general expertise a lot worse regardless of comparable common body charges.
1440p Upscaling Q, Excessive Preset
Dropping to the excessive preset yielded comparable common body charges between the 2 GPUs. The B580 was barely higher when it comes to 1% lows, however the 5060 Ti was 18% quicker on common. Nonetheless, contemplating the 5060 Ti needs to be about 40% quicker throughout each metrics, VRAM capability clearly remained a significant difficulty.
1440p Upscaling Q, Medium Preset
Even on the medium preset, we discovered – as in earlier 8GB vs. 16GB comparisons – that 8GB of VRAM wasn’t sufficient. The 5060 Ti was solely 28% quicker than the B580 in common body charges and 16% quicker for 1% lows.
1440p Upscaling Q, Low Preset
The low preset nonetheless calls for appreciable VRAM. Though the 8GB 5060 Ti carried out effectively, it was solely 23% quicker in common body charges and 20% quicker for the 1% lows in comparison with the B580.
1080p Native, Very Excessive Preset
At native 1080p utilizing the very excessive preset, the 8GB 5060 Ti carried out poorly, whereas the B580 ran easily. The B580 was 12% quicker on common and an astonishing 540% quicker for the 1% lows. This doubtless previews how these GPUs will evaluate in a couple of years, even at 1080p with lowered high quality settings.
Ultimate Fantasy 16
1080p Native, Extremely Preset
Ultimate Fantasy 16 is one other VRAM-intensive title, even at 1080p. Regardless of having enough VRAM, the B580 struggled utilizing the extremely preset. Consequently, the 8GB 5060 Ti was quicker, although solely by a modest 17%.
1440p Native, Extremely Preset
At 1440p, the 8GB 5060 Ti faltered, making the B580 technically higher. The B580 averaged 37 fps with 1% lows of 27 fps – mediocre efficiency, although the lows had been 125% increased than these of the GeForce GPU.
1440p Upscaling Q, Extremely Preset
Enabling high quality upscaling at 1440p drastically improved the B580’s efficiency, delivering round 60 fps and surpassing the 8GB 5060 Ti by 46% – a margin that ought to by no means have been potential given the {hardware} tiers.
Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle
1080p Native, Medium Preset
At 1080p, the 5060 Ti 8GB outperformed the B580 by 46% in common body charges and 60% in 1% lows underneath VRAM-constrained circumstances.
1440p Native, Medium Preset
At 1440p, the 5060 Ti 8GB hit a VRAM wall, permitting the B580 to drag forward by 12%. The B580 additionally dealt with increased presets at 1080p, which the GeForce GPU couldn’t.
Hogwarts Legacy
1440p Native, Extremely Preset
At 1440p extremely, the B580 struggled, giving the 5060 Ti a 20% win, although 1% lows improved by solely 5%.
1440p Native, Excessive Preset, RT Excessive
Neither GPU dealt with this preset effectively; each required extra VRAM. The B580 produced higher 1% lows regardless of total weak efficiency.
1440p Native, Medium Preset, RT Medium
At medium settings with medium ray tracing, each GPUs delivered comparable 1% lows, however the 5060 Ti was 27% quicker on common.
Horizon Forbidden West
4K Upscaling P, Very Excessive Preset
At 4K with efficiency upscaling, the 8GB 5060 Ti was unusable. The B580 managed 56 fps with easy body instances, providing a 273% benefit.
1440p Upscaling Q, Very Excessive Preset
Dropping to 1440p, the B580 averaged 68 fps – a 152% improve in common body price and 241% enchancment in 1% lows over the 5060 Ti.
1080p Native, Very Excessive Preset
At native 1080p, the B580 maintained a major lead, providing virtually 70% higher 1% lows and a smoother expertise total.
1440p Upscaling Q, Excessive Preset
Right here, the B580 delivered 76 fps on common and 62 fps for 1% lows, beating the 5060 Ti by 85% and 130%, respectively.
1440p Upscaling Q, Medium Preset
Solely after dropping to the medium preset did the 8GB 5060 Ti surpass the B580, enhancing common body charges by 22% and 1% lows by 18%.
Area Marine 2
4K Upscaling Q, Extremely Preset, 4K Textures
At 4K with high quality upscaling, the B580 technically ran worse than the 5060 Ti, however it rendered textures accurately. The 8GB 5060 Ti discarded high-resolution textures to keep away from catastrophic efficiency, leading to an unacceptably blurry presentation.
Murderer’s Creed Shadows
1440p Upscaling B, Very Excessive Preset
Neither GPU carried out effectively right here, however the 5060 Ti barely outpaced the B580 regardless of exceeding its VRAM limits.
Cyberpunk 2077
1440p Upscaling Q, Ray Tracing: Medium
The B580 offered a smoother expertise with 1% lows 87% increased than the 5060 Ti, which was primarily unplayable.
4K Upscaling P, Ray Tracing: Low
At 4K, the B580 once more outperformed the 5060 Ti when ray tracing was enabled.
Marvel Rivals
4K Upscaling P, Extremely Preset
Neither GPU excelled right here, however the B580 delivered 37% higher 1% low efficiency. Reducing decision and high quality would see the 5060 Ti pull forward as soon as inside its VRAM limits.
Spider-Man 2
Native 1080p, Very Excessive Preset
The 8GB 5060 Ti struggled however carried out equally to the B580. The Arc GPU confronted driver-related points, particularly with rendering timber, inflicting inconsistent efficiency even at excessive presets.
What We Discovered
So there you’ve got it. Regardless of being at the very least one efficiency tier above the B580, the 8GB model of the 5060 Ti can nonetheless find yourself slower – and in some situations, a lot slower that we’re evaluating unplayable efficiency with extremely playable efficiency.
Of the video games examined right here, The Final of Us Half II and Horizon Forbidden West had been by far the worst for the 8GB 5060 Ti. Even in circumstances the place efficiency was comparable or the 5060 Ti led by lower than a 20% margin, the outcomes had been nonetheless disappointing for the GeForce GPU. Realistically, it needs to be at the very least 30% quicker.
Whereas admittedly we’ve got to cherry-pick examples the place the B580 can beat the 8GB 5060 Ti, it’s insane that such examples even exist. By no means ought to a brand new RTX 5060-class GPU priced round $400 find yourself slower than the B580.
Among the worst outcomes had been seen at 1080p. Take Horizon Forbidden West, for instance: utilizing the very excessive preset in a demanding part of the sport, the Arc GPU averaged 71 fps – making it as much as 70% quicker than the 8GB 5060 Ti. In the meantime, the GeForce GPU delivered a suboptimal expertise with noticeable body time points.
Earlier-gen 16GB RTX 4060 Ti fashions (second-hand) at the moment promote for over 40% extra, on common, than the 8GB variations…
The truth that we’re in a position to produce these real-world outcomes proper now, at launch, means the 8GB 5060 Ti will unquestionably age very poorly. In truth, subsequent to AMD’s Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB, the 8GB 5060 Ti is likely to be the worst mainstream GPU we’ve got ever examined. We can’t think about paying $430 for one right this moment with the expectation of maintaining it for the subsequent few years.
Even for esports avid gamers, the 8GB 5060 Ti is concerning the dumbest buy you can also make. On the time of penning this evaluation, the 5060 Ti 16GB model could be bought for $490 – a 14% premium over the 8GB mannequin. Whereas saving $60 may appear significant, it turns into insignificant over the product’s lifespan. Second-hand 16GB 4060 Ti fashions at the moment promote for over 40% extra, on common, than the 8GB variations.
Subsequently, we are able to count on 8GB 5060 Ti playing cards to be almost nugatory on the second-hand market in comparison with their 16GB counterparts in only a few years. We might even argue few individuals need them even now. In case you are shopping for an 8GB 5060 Ti right this moment, it’s virtually definitely by chance.
