The rumor mill has been buzzing lately about NVIDIA’s upcoming GeForce RTX 5060, with some claims suggesting it will feature a 12GB VRAM variant to go head-to-head with Intel’s new Arc B580 GPU. However, let’s set the record straight—those rumors are likely bogus. Reliable leaks and insider reports indicate the RTX 5060 will launch with 8GB of next-generation GDDR7 memory, not 12GB.
The 12GB VRAM Rumor: Where It Came From
Speculation about a 12GB version of the RTX 5060 seems to have stemmed from an early retailer listing circulating in Chinese markets. But those listings often serve as placeholders and are rarely accurate. NVIDIA has made no official announcement, and reputable sources close to the company’s supply chain have consistently reported an 8GB configuration.
This rumor likely gained traction because Intel’s Arc B580, officially announced in late 2024, comes equipped with 12GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit interface. Priced aggressively at around $249, Intel’s midrange GPU is earning praise for its solid performance and generous VRAM, making it a tempting choice for budget gamers. Naturally, the assumption was that NVIDIA would respond in kind—but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
What We Actually Know About the RTX 5060
According to the latest information, the GeForce RTX 5060 is expected to ship with:
- 8GB of GDDR7 memory, providing faster bandwidth than GDDR6 and better power efficiency.
- 3840 CUDA cores, representing a 25% increase over the RTX 4060, which had 3072 CUDA cores.
- A 128-bit memory bus, similar to its predecessor.
The move to GDDR7 marks an important upgrade over the RTX 4060’s GDDR6, allowing NVIDIA to improve memory speed and efficiency even with the same capacity. This makes sense when you consider NVIDIA’s historical strategy for its xx60 cards—they tend to balance price, power consumption, and performance rather than simply increasing VRAM capacity.
The Reality of VRAM in 2025
There’s a growing concern among gamers about VRAM limitations, especially with titles like The Last of Us Part I and Hogwarts Legacy eating up 8GB and more at higher settings. While 12GB might seem like the new baseline for future-proofing, it’s important to remember that raw VRAM isn’t everything. Faster memory, smarter memory compression, and architectural improvements can have a huge impact on actual gaming performance.
NVIDIA has traditionally relied on its DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology to offset raw power with intelligent upscaling, allowing even lower-VRAM GPUs to perform well in modern games. The RTX 5060 is expected to fully support DLSS 3.5 with Frame Generation, further extending its capability beyond what VRAM numbers alone suggest.
Should You Wait for the RTX 5060?
For budget-conscious PC builders and gamers, the RTX 5060 will likely deliver a compelling package with solid 1080p and decent 1440p performance, bolstered by DLSS 3.5 and improved efficiency. But if VRAM is your top priority, and you’re playing VRAM-hungry titles, you might want to take a closer look at Intel’s Arc B580 or consider stepping up to an RTX 5060 Ti, rumored to come in both 8GB and 16GB variants.
Final Thoughts
The rumors of a 12GB RTX 5060 are, at best, speculation and, at worst, misinformation. NVIDIA’s strategy appears focused on faster memory and advanced features like DLSS rather than inflating VRAM numbers. Whether that’s enough in the face of Intel’s aggressive push remains to be seen.
For now, temper expectations: the RTX 5060 will almost certainly arrive with 8GB of cutting-edge GDDR7 memory—and while that might seem modest next to Intel’s 12GB B580, it’s part of a bigger performance picture.
Key Takeaways
- Rumors are the RTX 5060 may offer both 8GB and 12GB VRAM options, but it’s not likely
- NVIDIA appears to be increasing CUDA cores by 25% over the previous generation while potentially offering more memory configurations.
- Early retailer listings suggest the 12GB variant is real but again, all other info would say this is bogus
Technical Specifications of RTX 5060
The RTX 5060 brings significant upgrades over its predecessor with enhanced memory options, more CUDA cores, and next-generation GDDR7 memory technology.
VRAM Capacity and Type
The RTX 5060 is rumored to feature both 8GB and 12GB VRAM variants, but the 12GB won’t likely happen. If it does though, the 12GB option represents a substantial upgrade from earlier models, matching the memory capacity of the Intel B580. The additional memory will likely benefit gamers running modern titles at higher resolutions and with more detailed textures.
If true, NVIDIA’s decision to offer a 12GB variant seems to be in response to competitive pressures, as budget-oriented cards increasingly require more memory for optimal performance in new games.
The memory appears to use the new GDDR7 standard, which offers better efficiency and performance compared to previous GDDR6 implementations found in the RTX 4060 series.
CUDA Cores and Ray Tracing Capabilities
The RTX 5060 will reportedly feature 3,840 CUDA cores, a significant increase from the 3,072 cores in the RTX 4060. This 25% boost in core count should translate to better overall performance in gaming and creative applications.
While specific ray tracing capabilities haven’t been fully detailed, we can expect improved RT performance over the previous generation. The 50-series typically features:
- Enhanced RT cores (likely 3rd or 4th generation)
- Better AI acceleration for DLSS and frame generation
- More tensor cores for AI workloads
The card will likely be positioned for solid 1080p gaming performance with ray tracing enabled, and capable 1440p performance in less demanding titles.
GDDR7 Memory and Bandwidth
The RTX 5060 will utilize GDDR7 memory technology, marking a generational leap from GDDR6. This memory is paired with what appears to be a 128-bit memory bus.
Key memory specifications:
- Memory Type: GDDR7
- Bandwidth: Significantly higher than RTX 4060
- Bus Width: 128-bit (based on current information)
The adoption of GDDR7 represents one of the most significant upgrades, as it offers much higher bandwidth compared to GDDR6, potentially offsetting the relatively narrow 128-bit bus. Even with a modest bus width, the newer memory technology should provide ample bandwidth for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
The card’s TDP is reported to be around 150W, which is reasonable for its performance class and allows for standard 8-pin power connectors rather than the 16-pin connector found on higher-end models.
Comparative Analysis with Other GPUs
Let’s examine how the RTX 5060 stacks up against similar GPUs in today’s market, focusing on VRAM capacity, CUDA cores, and gaming performance.
RTX 5060 vs. Intel Arc B580
If the 12GB rumor is true, The RTX 5060 and Intel Arc B580 both feature 12GB of VRAM, creating an interesting match-up between NVIDIA and Intel. This puts them on equal footing for memory-intensive applications and future games.
The B580 represents Intel’s push to compete in the mid-range GPU market. While both cards share similar VRAM capacity, they use different memory technologies – with the RTX 5060 likely using faster GDDR7 memory compared to the B580’s GDDR6.
Architecture differences play a big role too. NVIDIA’s proven track record with driver support and DLSS technology gives the 5060 an edge in real-world performance and compatibility. The B580 might offer better value, but the 5060 will likely provide more consistent performance across different games and applications.
RTX 5060 vs. RTX 4060
The RTX 5060 marks a significant upgrade over its predecessor. While the RTX 4060 came with 8GB VRAM, the newer model jumps to 12GB – a 50% increase that addresses one of the biggest criticisms of the 4000 series.
CUDA core count sees improvement too, with the RTX 5060 featuring around 3840 cores compared to the 4060’s 3072. This represents about a 25% increase in raw processing units.
The power consumption remains similar at approximately 150W TDP. This means better efficiency per watt for the 5060, delivering more performance without increasing power demands.
Ray tracing capabilities have likely improved as well, though specific benchmarks aren’t available yet. The generation-to-generation leap should provide better frame rates in ray-traced games, especially when paired with the increased VRAM capacity.
RTX 5060 Performance in 1080p and 1440p Gaming
If the 12GB rumor is true, the RTX 5060’s 12GB VRAM would make it much more capable for both 1080p and 1440p gaming compared to 8GB alternatives. This extra memory provides headroom for high-resolution textures and complex game assets.
At 1080p, the RTX 5060 should deliver excellent performance across virtually all modern titles. Players can expect to run games at high or ultra settings while maintaining steady 60+ fps in most titles.
The card really shines at 1440p resolution. While the previous 8GB variants often struggled with memory limitations at this resolution, the 12GB 5060 handles modern games much more confidently. Texture pop-in and stuttering issues that plagued 8GB cards should be significantly reduced.
For competitive gamers, the increased CUDA cores will help maintain high frame rates needed for responsive gameplay, even at 1440p resolution in less demanding esports titles.
