The top model of the RTX 5060 Ti currently available from Asus is the TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC Edition. Although its power consumption isn’t particularly high, it comes with a large triple-slot cooler (30 cm) that easily manages the 180W load, keeping GPU and memory temperatures at 70 °C with fans running at just 1000 RPM and staying whisper-quiet. It also offers a dual BIOS and other premium features, but these come at a steep price.
A detailed description of the new technologies brought by Nvidia’s new graphics cards has been compiled by Jan Olšan in the article Blackwell: GeForce RTX 5000 architecture and innovations. It introduces the individual graphics chips Nvidia is using in the new cards, the new GDDR7 memory type, and also covers changes in cache memory, GPU compute units, updates to shaders and tensor cores, as well as improved compute units for ray tracing. The new generation of GeForce also brings support for new standards such as DisplayPort 2.1b and PCI Express 5.0.
With the new generation of cards, DLSS capabilities are evolving as well. It now supports Multi Frame Generation, which allows the generation of up to three intermediate frames, and introduces Nvidia Reflex 2, the second generation of its latency-reduction technology. This includes Frame Warp, which adjusts object and camera motion in rendered frames based on the player’s most recent input device movement data received just before the already rendered frame is displayed. A more detailed explanation can be found in the aforementioned article.
The specifications and suggested prices of the RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 Ti have already been presented in the article GeForce RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti are here: Specs, pricing, availability. Here, we’ll just briefly summarize – the RTX 5060 Ti is equipped with the smallest chip so far based on the Blackwell architecture, designated GB206. It has a die size of 181 mm² and 21 billion transistors. The core contains 4608 stream processors, 144 texture mapping units, and 48 raster units, along with 36 RT cores and 144 tensor cores. The base clock speed of the GPU is 2407 MHz, with a boost of 2572 MHz, and the power limit is set at 180 W. It comes in variants with either 8 or 16 GB of GDDR7 memory, connected via a 128-bit bus. The memory speed is 28 Gb/s, and the total memory bandwidth is 448.0 GB/s.
The first to hit the market are the 16GB variants of the RTX 5060 Ti, while the trimmed-down 8GB version of the RTX 5060 Ti and the 8GB RTX 5060 are scheduled to go on sale a few days later. The reason Nvidia prefers reviews of the 16GB version is clear – in several memory-intensive games, 8GB cards suffer from performance drops at ultra settings due to insufficient memory. Precisely because these games can showcase the benefits of greater memory, they are overrepresented in benchmarks compared to their share of the gaming market and significantly influence the overall evaluation.
Memory also runs out on 8GB GeForce cards in some games when path tracing, DLSS, and frame generation are combined. However, frame generation combined with demanding ray tracing is exactly what Nvidia highlights as the main advantage over previous-generation GeForce cards – and if these features can’t be used, the generational leap isn’t as apparent.
Asus TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB GDDR7 OC Edition – the mid-range offering
For the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, Asus places the TUF series at the top of its lineup, above the Prime and Dual series. This makes it the best-equipped RTX 5060 Ti from Asus, although this also comes with a steep premium compared to the basic models.
The card comes factory overclocked. The specified typical boost clock has been raised from the reference 2570 MHz to 2662 MHz. Actual clock speeds are higher and vary depending on the chip’s workload and power consumption. Detailed clock speed behavior can be found in the operating characteristics sections of this review.
The card features two BIOS modes labeled P mode and Q mode (performance and quiet). By default, P mode is selected, but you can switch using a toggle next to the power connector. In the images below, P mode is shown first. Key parameters such as clock speeds and power limits do not differ between the two BIOS versions. The difference lies in the fan speed curve settings in relation to the card’s temperature.
The power limit is set at the reference 180 W, and can be adjusted between 150–234 W, that is, from -17% to +30%. In monitoring software, the three fans are divided between fan 1 and fan 2 interfaces, with two fans connected via a splitter.
The current beta version of HWiNFO can extract significantly more data from the card than GPU-Z, you can see the list of currently read sensors in the snapshot from the monitoring.
In Quiet mode, according to data read via GPU-Z, the only apparent difference is the BIOS version identifier; all other parameters remain the same.
On the back of the packaging, the manufacturer highlights the features and technologies utilized by the card. High-quality coils, MOSFETs, and capacitors, as well as proprietary Axial-tech fans with dual ball bearings, are intended to contribute to longer card lifespan. MaxContact refers to Asus’s designation for an exceptionally flat coldplate that improves contact with the chip and enhances heat transfer. A metal frame reinforces the GPU to prevent cracking. Also noted is the stainless steel bracket. Finally, Asus GPU Tweak III software is offered for tuning settings, overclocking, and monitoring.
Included accessories feature a bunch of little cards, an installation guide, a brief manual for using the power adapter, an adjustable support bracket combined with a screwdriver, and a cable tie made from double-sided Velcro.
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