The GeForce RTX 5060, one of the newest entry-level GPUs from NVIDIA, seems poised to challenge any preconceived notions about budget graphics cards. Priced at an accessible $299, it offers top-tier performance for mainstream gamers aiming for smooth 1080p gameplay without overspending. However, its affordable cost is not the only impressive aspect. Compared to its predecessor, the RTX 4060, and older cards like the GTX 1660 and RTX 2060, it represents a substantial generational leap. But what truly sets it apart is the introduction of DLSS 4, NVIDIA’s advanced AI rendering technology. This technology enhances performance, improves image quality, and minimizes latency in video games by using Multi Frame Generation, Ray Reconstruction, and improved Super Resolution.
In theory, the GeForce RTX 5060 should handle modern PC gaming requirements effectively. However, truly testing its capabilities is another story altogether. Game Rant put this to the test by actually using it and launching some of the graphically intense games from the past couple of years, such as the latest release “Doom: The Dark Ages”.
DLSS 4 Is the Star of the GeForce RTX 5060’s Show
As a seasoned movie critic, I must say that DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) has been on an impressive journey since its 2018 premiere, but the arrival of DLSS 4 truly marks a pivotal moment for this technology, and it’s designed exclusively for the RTX 50 Series. With the innovative Multi Frame Generation, DLSS 4 is capable of producing as many as three extra frames for every conventionally rendered frame. This feat is made possible by NVIDIA’s advanced Blackwell hardware and more intelligent, faster AI models that can increase frame rates up to eight times more than what traditional brute-force rendering could achieve alone.
Essentially, Multi Frame Generation represents a significant upgrade in the frame generation process of DLSS 4 compared to DLSS 3. While DLSS 3 primarily utilized Optical Flow Accelerators and single-frame interpolation, DLSS 4 employs a more efficient AI-driven optical flow model. This change results in a faster AI model, running at about 40% speed and requiring approximately 30% less VRAM. Remarkably, it operates only once per rendered frame, even when producing multiple new frames. In games like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, this means a reduction of around 400MB in memory usage at 4K resolution, leading to smoother frame rates.
Besides Multi Frame Generation, DLSS 4 also includes Ray Reconstruction, Super Resolution, and DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing). These features are further refined with the introduction of the first real-time transformer-based architecture in the graphics sector.
DLSS 4 not only has Multi Frame Generation but also Ray Reconstruction, Super Resolution, and DLAA. These improvements are made even better by a new type of technology called the first real-time transformer-based architecture in the graphic industry.
The GeForce RTX 5060’s Transformer Model Goes Beyond CNNs
For a span of six years, DLSS has employed Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for pixel production and image stabilization. However, the latest DLSS 4 technology in the GeForce RTX 5060 switches from using CNNs to transformer models. Interestingly, transformers are also the foundation of AI systems such as ChatGPT and Gemini. By utilizing transformers, the AI can assess complete scenes as a single entity instead of splitting them into individual images.
The new transformer model boasts enhanced temporal stability, reduced blurring (ghosting), superior motion clarity, and smoother contours. In games like “Alan Wake 2” that utilize ray tracing, the improvements provided by this new model are particularly striking. For instance, intricate details such as chain-link fences, power lines, or spinning fans exhibit less shimmer and blur, ensuring a clear and stable image even during fast movement or fluctuating lighting conditions.
The GeForce RTX 5060’s Blackwell Architecture Offers Effortless Performance
Previously noted, NVIDIA’s RTX 5060 is built on the Blackwell architecture, which introduces some significant hardware improvements.
- 5th Generation Tensor Cores deliver up to 2.5x the AI performance of previous iterations, which is essential for processing five AI models per rendered frame without any bottlenecks
- 4th Generation Ray Tracing Cores provide up to 30 TFLOPS of ray tracing performance
- The display engine now supports Flip Metering, a hardware-based solution for consistent frame pacing that eliminates the stutter sometimes caused by CPU-based timing in DLSS 3
- Support for DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 allows output up to 4K at 480Hz or 8K at 165Hz, thereby future-proofing the card for next-gen displays
In essence, this setup allows for nearly all pixels within a given image, with the exception of one out of every sixteen, to be produced using Deep Learning Super-Sampling (DLSS), maintaining the same level of smoothness and sharpness.
GeForce RTX 5060 Specs and Test
| NVIDIA CUDA Cores | 3840 |
|---|---|
| Shader Cores (AI) | Blackwell 19 TFLOPS |
| Tensor Cores | 5th Generation 614 AI TOPS |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 4th Generation 30 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock (GHz) | 2.49 |
| Base Clock (GHz) | 2.28 |
| Standard Memory Config | 8GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Interface Width | 128-bit |
| Display Support | Up to 4K at 480 Hz or 8K at 165 Hz with DSC |
During an examination of the GeForce RTX 5060, we played several graphics-intensive PC games such as “Doom: The Dark Ages”, “Marvel Rivals”, “Cyberpunk 2077”, “Hogwarts Legacy”, and “Avowed”. We then optimized each of these games for maximum settings at a resolution of 1080p, with DLSS 4 activated in full. This setup provided a vivid demonstration of the 5060’s performance under stress. It’s worth noting that DLSS 4 was the main focus, and our tests confirmed this, as we frequently saw frame rates approaching and even surpassing 200.
Doom: The Dark Ages Testing
- Settings: Ultra Nightmare Graphics Preset, DLSS Super Resolution (Quality), Multi Frame Generation 4x
- Benchmark: First 30 seconds of the game
- Performance: 223 FPS
- PCL: 39 ms
The game “Doom: The Dark Ages” works seamlessly with DLSS 4 technology, particularly its Multi Frame Generation feature at maximum settings. This allowed the RTX 5060 graphics card to perform optimally, resulting in an impressive frame rate of 223 frames per second and a low PCL (Post-Processing Latency) of just 39 milliseconds. This demonstrates how well the card manages intense, rapid gameplay rendering.
Marvel Rivals Testing
- Settings: Ultra Graphics Preset, Lumen GI Ultra, Lumen Reflections On, DLSS SR Quality, Multi Frame Generation 4x (Override)
- Benchmark: 60 seconds pathing through and attacking bots in the Practice Range
- Performance: 291 FPS
- PCL: 30 ms
Unlike Doom: The Dark Ages, running Marvel Rivals necessitated using DLSS Override through the NVIDIA app. However, the procedure was relatively straightforward for the impressive results it generated. With DLSS Override activated, Marvel Rivals surpassed every other game in terms of performance during our testing. Although not renowned for visually draining GPUs, Marvel Rivals is recognized for its chaos. For this benchmark, we trained on the practice range and fought against bots throughout. Ultimately, the test demonstrated the effectiveness of DLSS 4’s transformer model, underscoring the RTX 5060’s prowess in fast-paced, competitive gaming scenarios.
Cyberpunk 2077 Testing
- Settings: RT Overdrive Graphics Preset, DLSS Transformer SR and Ray Reconstruction, Multi Frame Generation
- Benchmark: Built-in benchmark
- Performance: 149 FPS
- PCL: 59 ms
Over time, Cyberpunk 2077 has become quite the showcase for DLSS technology, and I can attest that the RTX 5060 handles its challenging RT Overdrive mode with surprising ease. This game is known for pushing hardware to its absolute limits, and that remains true even with the RTX 5060 in tow. However, the GPU’s updated transformer models significantly improve visual quality, and DLSS 4’s Multi Frame Generation guarantees smooth motion, delivering a stable 150 FPS and a PCL of barely 60 ms.
Hogwarts Legacy Testing
- Settings: Ultra Graphics Preset, DLSS SR Quality, Transformer, Ray Reconstruction, Multi Frame Generation 4x
- Benchmark: 60-second run through Hogsmeade
- Performance: 156 FPS
- PCL: 62 ms
In its latest update, Hogwarts Legacy now offers enhanced ray tracing options and DLSS 4 support, making it an ideal title to evaluate the performance of the new RTX 5060 graphics card. Although this open-world game is visually demanding, Hogwarts Legacy ran exceptionally smooth in 1080p resolution, consistently achieving around 160 FPS and a low latency of 62 ms. During our test, we wandered through the intricate and visually rich town of Hogsmeade within Hogwarts Legacy, and the RTX 5060 maintained both visual quality and swift gameplay throughout.
Avowed Testing
- Settings: Epic Graphics Preset, DLSS SR Quality, Transformer (Override), Multi Frame Generation 4x (Override)
- Benchmark: 60 seconds run through the first town after leaving the initial island
- Performance: 193 FPS
- PCL: 50 ms
In order to fully enjoy Obsidian Entertainment’s game Avowed, it’s necessary to enable DLSS Override using the NVIDIA app first. Once activated, the game’s fantastical world becomes vividly alive. During a demanding town exploration benchmark, an RTX 5060 managed nearly 200 frames per second (FPS) with a low latency of just 50 milliseconds, indicating that this GPU has the power to handle future games from Obsidian, and even more so.
The game was tested on a configuration that included an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory, a Digital Storm M.2 Performance Series solid-state drive, and a 1000W power supply from Digital Storm’s Performance Series.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Preview: Final Thoughts
Although marketed as an entry-level graphics card for the RTX 50 Series, the ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 may exceed these expectations after thorough testing. Its remarkable 1080p performance in many graphically demanding games, bolstered by DLSS 4, suggests that it could redefine what budget gaming hardware is capable of. The card consistently delivers high frame rates that outperform expectations, manages ray tracing efficiently, and demonstrates significant improvements over the 4060 and older models. For those prioritizing cost-effectiveness and long-term performance when building or upgrading a PC, the GeForce RTX 5060 could be an ideal choice to consider.
On May 19th, you’ll be able to buy the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, with a starting price of $299. For this review, we were given a pre-release model by Game Rant.
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2025-05-18 00:55