Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti with Zotac, MSI and ASUS Review
Conclusion
Conclusion
As a general rule whenever there is a new graphics card launch the manufacturers always compare it to something really old. That way it looks more impressive. We generally compare to a couple of generations. Partly because most people who buy on the regular buy often, but also because two generations is the tipping point. Older than that, any GTX for example, is so clearly outclassed that upgrading is a no-brainer. For the Blackwell GPUs a RTX 2000 is generally worth upgrading, and the 3000 probably is, depending upon which one you own.
When comparing to the 4000 range you have to be a card number better to be worthwhile. So if you’ve a RTX 4070 a RTX 5080 will provide a noticeable improvement, a RTX 5070 will be better but you’d have to look closer to see those extra frames. With the price and stock problems, it’s probably not worth going out of your way. The RTX 5060 Ti is the first of the new Nvidia cards where we feel the extra performance isn’t enough for anyone with a 4000 card to consider upgrading. Yes you get Multi Frame Gen, so perhaps if you only play Cyberpunk or Alan Wake II then it’s worth investigating.
Which means that we actually, for once, agree with the cards Nvidia tend to compare the RTX 5060 Ti to. If you’ve got anything older – or lower – than a RTX 2080 Ti then grab one immediately. A RTX 3060 or 3050 is also a good upgrade, 3070 maybe, above that, or newer, we’d advise caution if you’re remotely fiscally limited. Sure if your rich old Uncle has just died, or your lottery numbers came up, then fair enough. But in that scenario you wouldn’t be looking at this particular GPU.
Which of the Three?
Of our three cards today there is very little to choose between them. The Zotac remained cool and quiet throughout our testing, and the performance was very close to both the MSI and ASUS. By being compact it fits into any case you can think of. Probably best for first-time upgraders is the use of the 8pin PCIe connector. This ensures the Zotac Twin Edge will easily replace your current card, whilst also leaving the more anxious of you free from 12VHPWR melting worries.
The ASUS and MSI cards are a shade ahead of the Zotac in performance numbers. Not enough that you’d feel like you missed out if you got the Twin Edge, nor to feel like you got a bargain over a RTX 5070. Nvidia are nothing if not exacting at being able to bracket the performance of each model. If we had to choose between these two we’d go for the triple fan TUF card over the MSI. That isn’t to say the MSI is bad at all, we love the translucent shroud in particular, just that we like three fans more than two.
If you’ve got an old system and have been needing an upgrade that doesn’t break the bank, the combination of DLSS4 and Multi Frame Generation makes the RTX 5060 Ti a good value upgrade path, and that wins it our OC3D Gamers Choice Award.
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