At Computex 2025, AMD fired a shot across Nvidia’s bow with the official unveiling of the Radeon RX 9060 XT GPU, a midrange contender designed to challenge Nvidia’s recently launched GeForce RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti. Built on AMD’s cutting-edge RDNA 4 architecture, the RX 9060 XT promises to deliver impressive performance at a competitive price, with availability set for June 5, 2025. With two VRAM configurations and a bold claim of outperforming Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti at 1440p, AMD is poised to shake up the budget-to-midrange GPU market. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting release and why it could be a game-changer for gamers.
Radeon RX 9060 XT: Specs and Features
The Radeon RX 9060 XT is powered by AMD’s Navi 44 GPU, featuring 32 RDNA 4 compute units, 2,048 stream processors, 32 ray-tracing cores, and 64 dedicated AI accelerators. It comes in two variants: an 8GB GDDR6 model priced at $299 and a 16GB model at $349, both utilizing a 128-bit memory bus. With a boost clock up to 3.13GHz and a total board power of 150–182W, the RX 9060 XT is optimized for 1440p gaming, offering smooth performance with low power requirements (recommended 500–550W PSU). It supports PCIe 5.0 x16, DisplayPort 2.1a, and HDMI 2.1b, ensuring compatibility with modern setups.
AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture brings significant upgrades, including doubled ray-tracing throughput compared to RDNA 3 and second-generation AI accelerators powering FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4). FSR 4 leverages machine learning for enhanced frame rates and image fidelity, while features like HYPR-RX and Fluid Motion Frames deliver tear-free visuals and responsive gameplay. With 821 TOPS for AI workloads, the RX 9060 XT is also ready for next-gen AI-assisted gaming and creative tasks.
Going Head-to-Head with Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Series
AMD is positioning the RX 9060 XT as a direct competitor to Nvidia’s RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti, with a particular focus on the latter. In AMD’s internal testing across 40 games, the 16GB RX 9060 XT is reportedly 6% faster than the 8GB RTX 5060 Ti at 1440p resolution, offering 15% better performance per dollar given its $349 price tag compared to the RTX 5060 Ti’s $379 (8GB) or $429 (16GB). Posts on X echo this sentiment, with users like @NikTekOfficial calling the 16GB model an “amazing value” if real-world benchmarks confirm AMD’s claims.
However, the comparison isn’t entirely straightforward. Nvidia’s RTX 5060 series uses faster GDDR7 memory (28 Gb/s, ~448 GB/s bandwidth) compared to the RX 9060 XT’s GDDR6 (20 Gb/s, ~322 GB/s), which could give Nvidia an edge at higher resolutions or in memory-intensive titles. The RTX 5060 Ti’s lukewarm reception, partly due to its 8GB VRAM option and limited stock, has given AMD an opportunity to capitalize with competitive pricing and better availability. The RX 9060 XT’s 16GB model, in particular, is poised to appeal to gamers wary of 8GB VRAM limitations in 2025’s demanding titles.
The 8GB VRAM Debate: A Controversial Choice
Both AMD and Nvidia have faced scrutiny for offering 8GB VRAM models in 2025, as modern games increasingly demand more memory, especially at 1440p. The RX 9060 XT’s 8GB variant has sparked mixed reactions, with some X users like @Underfox3 praising the 16GB model’s value but calling the 8GB version a “let down.” Earlier rumors suggested AMD might cancel the 8GB model due to the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB’s underwhelming performance, but Benchlife confirmed it remains in the pipeline. While the 8GB RX 9060 XT at $299 undercuts Nvidia’s $379 RTX 5060 Ti, gamers may need to compromise on settings to avoid VRAM bottlenecks, making the 16GB model the safer bet for future-proofing.
Pricing and Availability: A Strategic Advantage
AMD’s pricing strategy is a key strength. The RX 9060 XT’s $299 (8GB) and $349 (16GB) MSRPs are notably lower than Nvidia’s offerings, though board partner overclocked models may push prices higher (some listings suggest $450 for premium variants). With Nvidia struggling with RTX 5060 Ti stock, AMD’s focus on maintaining inventory levels could give it a market edge. The RX 9060 XT will be available from partners like ASUS, Gigabyte, Sapphire, and PowerColor starting June 5, 2025, with reviews expected on or before launch.
AMD’s Computex keynote on May 21, 2025, perfectly timed the RX 9060 XT’s reveal to steal thunder from Nvidia’s RTX 5060 launch on May 19. While the RTX 5060’s performance remains untested due to Nvidia’s controversial decision to withhold launch drivers from reviewers, AMD’s transparency and competitive pricing position the RX 9060 XT as a strong contender.
Why the RX 9060 XT Matters
The Radeon RX 9060 XT is a pivotal release for AMD, bringing RDNA 4’s advancements to the budget-to-midrange segment. Its focus on 1440p gaming, improved ray-tracing, and AI-enhanced FSR 4 makes it a compelling choice for gamers seeking value without sacrificing performance. The 16GB model, in particular, stands out for its price-to-performance ratio, potentially outshining Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti in both cost and capability. For budget-conscious PC builders, the RX 9060 XT could be the go-to GPU for 1080p and 1440p gaming, especially if AMD delivers on its performance claims.
However, questions remain. Will the RX 9060 XT’s GDDR6 memory hold it back against Nvidia’s GDDR7? Can AMD sustain its pricing advantage in the real world, where board partner markups often inflate costs? Independent reviews, expected around June 5, will be crucial to validate AMD’s 6% performance edge and determine if the RX 9060 XT truly outperforms its Nvidia rivals.
Looking Ahead
AMD’s Computex 2025 showcase wasn’t just about the RX 9060 XT. The company also introduced the Radeon AI PRO R9700 for professional AI workloads and the 96-core Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series, reinforcing its dominance in high-performance computing. For gamers, though, the RX 9060 XT is the star, promising a budget-friendly yet powerful option in a market desperate for affordable GPUs. As the GPU battle heats up, AMD’s strategic timing, competitive pricing, and focus on 16GB VRAM could give it the upper hand in the midrange segment.
Mark your calendars for June 5, 2025, when the Radeon RX 9060 XT hits shelves. Whether you’re upgrading your rig or building a new one, this GPU could be the budget champion PC gamers have been waiting for. Stay tuned for reviews to see if AMD’s claims hold up in real-world testing.
Are you Team Red or Team Green? Will you be picking up the RX 9060 XT, or are you waiting for more benchmarks? Drop your thoughts in the comments!