Key Takeaways
1. Two new graphics cards, the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, are set to launch in mid-May, with prices starting at $269 and $299, respectively.
2. Nvidia is lifting the review embargo for the RTX 5060 on May 19th, but the timing may not allow gamers to read reviews before purchasing.
3. Nvidia is restricting access to press drivers, limiting reviewers’ ability to test the RTX 5060 thoroughly prior to its launch.
4. Delayed reviews are expected, with some reviewers stating they won’t be able to provide coverage until about a week after the RTX 5060 goes on sale.
5. Concerns exist that the RTX 5060 may not perform well due to limited VRAM, potentially leading to a disappointing launch with misleading marketing.
We are looking forward to the arrival of two new graphics cards this month: the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060. These GPUs are expected to launch around mid-May, with the RTX 5060 starting at $299 and the RX 9060 XT 8 GB possibly priced at $269. Sadly, Nvidia appears to lack confidence in the RTX 5060.
Review Timing Concerns
Earlier reports highlighted that Nvidia plans to lift the review embargo and release the RTX 5060 on May 19th. This timing isn’t great since, in today’s GPU market with limited stock, gamers won’t have the luxury of time to read and analyze reviews before making a purchase. However, as noted by Hardware Unboxed and Igor’s Lab, the situation is even more troubling than initially believed.
Restricted Access for Reviewers
According to tech reviewers from Hardware Unboxed (HU) and Igor’s Lab, Nvidia is limiting the coverage of the RTX 5060 by restricting access to press drivers. Without these drivers, reviewers cannot properly test the RTX 5060, making it unlikely that there will be many reviews available on launch day.
HU states that Nvidia is “trying to hide the RTX 5060” just like it did with the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB. Additionally, they mention that Nvidia seems to be delaying the press drivers until the actual launch date of the RTX 5060, which coincides with Computex 2025 in Taiwan. This timing creates a challenge for reviewers to test and produce coverage for the launch.
Delayed Reviews Expected
In light of this, HU points out that even though “multiple RTX 5060 samples” are on hand, they won’t be able to review the card “until about a week after they go on sale”. Similarly, Igor’s Lab shares this view, telling their audience that there will be “no early access, no pre-tests, and no benchmarking for the sales launch”.
Some might wonder: Why would Nvidia want to restrict the coverage of the RTX 5060?
The answer appears to be straightforward: the RTX 5060 may not be a strong card, mainly due to its limited VRAM buffer. To illustrate the issue, HU has several videos discussing how 8 GB is insufficient for modern AAA games.
As a result of the lack of independent coverage, gamers may face yet another disappointing GPU launch, potentially filled with misleading marketing.
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