The GeForce RTX 5060 is one of NVIDIA's latest entry-level RTX 50 Series GPUs, but it looks primed and ready to refute any negative connotations that might be associated with the words "entry-level." Firstly, starting at just $299, the RTX 5060 is an affordable means for mainstream gamers who want high performance at 1080p without breaking the bank. Even more than its price point, though, the RTX 5060 represents a significant generational leap over its direct predecessor, the RTX 4060, as well as legacy cards like the GTX 1660 and RTX 2060. However, the GPU's standout feature is undoubtedly the debut of DLSS 4, NVIDIA's latest AI-powered rendering technology that increases performance, improves image quality, and reduces latency in video games through Multi Frame Generation, Ray Reconstruction, and improved Super Resolution.
On paper, the GeForce RTX 5060 can comfortably meet the demands of modern PC gaming, but putting those notes to the test is something else entirely. The Best War Games recently previewed the RTX 5060 by doing just that — plugging it in and booting up some of the more visually-demanding games of the last couple of years, including the recently released Doom: The Dark Ages.
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DLSS 4 Is the Star of the GeForce RTX 5060's Show
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) has come a long way since its 2018 debut, but DLSS 4 is a major turning point for the technology, and it's built exclusively for the RTX 50 Series. With Multi Frame Generation, DLSS 4 can generate up to three additional frames for every traditionally rendered frame. Backing that up is NVIDIA's Blackwell hardware and smarter, faster AI models that push frame rates up to eight times higher than brute-force rendering alone.
Multi Frame Generation is essentially a complete overhaul of DLSS 3's Frame Generation, as DLSS 3 largely relied on Optical Flow Accelerators and single-frame interpolation, while DLSS 4 uses a more efficient AI-based optical flow model. As a result, DLSS 4 offers a 40% faster AI model that requires 30% less VRAM and only runs once per rendered frame, even when generating multiple new frames. In games like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, that translates to 400MB less memory at 4K for smoother frame rates.
In addition to Multi Frame Generation, DLSS 4 integrates Ray Reconstruction, Super Resolution, and DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing), all improved even more by the first real-time transformer-based architecture in the graphics industry.
The GeForce RTX 5060's Transformer Model Goes Beyond CNNs
For six years, DLSS has used Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for pixel generation and image stabilization. The GeForce RTX 5060's DLSS 4 technology effectively replaces CNNs with transformer models, which is the same kind of architecture that powers AI systems like ChatGPT and Gemini. Transformers ultimately allow the AI to gauge entire scenes as a whole rather than breaking them down into smaller images.
With that kind of power, the new transformer model offers better temporal stability, less ghosting, higher detail in motion, and smoother edges overall. In ray-traced games like Alan Wake 2, the upgrades offered by the new transformer model are even more noticeable. Finer details, like those that can be found in structures like chain-link fences, power lines, and spinning fans have far less shimmer and ghosting, which allows the image to stay crisp and consistent, even during rapid movement or inconsistent lighting.
The GeForce RTX 5060's Blackwell Architecture Offers Effortless Performance
As previously mentioned, NVIDIA's RTX 5060 uses the Blackwell architecture, bringing several noteworthy hardware advancements to the table:
- 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
All of this, of course, feeds into a system where all but one of every 16 pixels in a scene can now be generated using DLSS, without loss of smoothness or clarity.
DOOM: The Dark Ages PC Settings and Performance Review
DOOM: The Dark Ages is the latest showpiece for id tech, offering stunning visuals and smooth performance with Ray-Tracing and more.
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 our preview of the GeForce RTX 5060, we ran through some of today's more visually demanding PC games — particularly, Doom: The Dark Ages, Marvel Rivals, Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Avowed. We then adjusted each of these titles to their highest settings at 1080p, with DLSS 4 fully enabled, and the results offered a clear picture of how well the 5060 holds up under pressure. Again, DLSS 4 is intended to be the star of the show here, and our testing proved as much, with some considerable frame rates often nearing and even exceeding 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
Doom: The Dark Ages fully supports DLSS 4 natively, which allowed the RTX 5060 to stretch its legs a bit with Multi Frame Generation at its highest setting. The result was a staggering frame rate of 223 FPS, as well as a PCL of only 39 ms, which goes to show how well the card handles high-action, fast-paced 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 with Doom: The Dark Ages, our run of Marvel Rivals required DLSS Override via the NVIDIA app, but the process was relatively painless for what it produced. With the DLSS Override switched on, Marvel Rivals ended up delivering the highest performance among every game we tested during the preview. Marvel Rivals isn't known for having GPU-tanking visuals, but it is known for its chaos. For this benchmark, we went through the practice range and battled bots along the way. In the end, the test showcased the efficiency of DLSS 4's transformer model, reinforcing the RTX 5060's strength in fast-paced, competitive play.
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
Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into something of a DLSS showpiece over time, and the RTX 5060 handles the game's demanding RT Overdrive mode with relative ease. Cyberpunk 2077 is known for pushing hardware to its limits, and that much is still true with the RTX 5060 plugged in. However, the GPU's upgraded transformer models enhance visual fidelity, all while DLSS 4's Multi Frame Generation ensures fluid motion to produce upwards of a stable 150 FPS and a PCL of just under 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
Hogwarts Legacy more recently received some updates for granular ray tracing options and support for DLSS 4, making it a perfect candidate to test the RTX 5060. Despite being an open-world game with plenty of demand coming from its visuals, Hogwarts Legacy still ran impeccably well in 1080p, with close to 160 FPS and a PCL of 62 ms consistently. During the test, we took a stroll through Hogwarts Legacy's densely populated and visually complex world of Hogsmeade, and the RTX 5060 still maintained visual clarity and speed for the game.
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
Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed is another title that required DLSS Override to be enabled beforehand via the NVIDIA app, but with it active, Avowed's fantasy world came to life. Even during a dense town traversal benchmark, the RTX 5060 dished out almost 200 FPS with a latency of only 50 ms, showing the GPU's potential ability to handle future titles from Obsidian, and with some headroom to spare.
Game testing was done on a build featuring an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X CPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, Digital Storm M.2 Performance Series SSD, and 1000W Digital Storm Performance Series PSU.
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Preview: Final Thoughts
The ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 may be marketed as an entry-level GPU for the RTX 50 Series, but after some time putting it to the test, that label might not do it justice. Given its impressive 1080p performance across several graphically intensive titles, due in large part to DLSS 4, the RTX 5060 arguably sets a new bar for what affordable gaming hardware is capable of. The frame rates it delivers are both stable and well above expectations, it handles ray tracing with aplomb, and it shows clear gains over the 4060 and older legacy cards. For those building or upgrading a PC with value and longevity in mind, the GeForce RTX 5060 might end up being the GPU to look at.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 will be available for purchase on May 19, starting at $299. The Best War Games was provided with a unit for this preview.