NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060: NVIDIA‘s upcoming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 graphics cards are set to maintain the traditional 8-pin PCIe power connector, despite an expected increase in power consumption. According to recent leaks, the company is opting out of using the 12VHPWR connector that was introduced with the RTX 4000 series, making it easier for users with existing power supplies to upgrade without additional adapters or cables.
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti & RTX 5060 to Stick with 8-Pin PCIe Connectors, 650W PSU Recommended
RTX 5060 Ti & RTX 5060: Standard 8-Pin Power, Higher Power Draw
Several leaks suggest that the RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 will require a 650W power supply (PSU)—a notable increase from the 550W recommendation for the RTX 4060 series. However, most setups with a single 8-pin PCIe connector should still be sufficient to power these GPUs, as their total board power (TDP) is unlikely to exceed 200W.
Why is NVIDIA Sticking to 8-Pin Connectors?
NVIDIA has been experimenting with different power connectors in its previous GPU generations, but the 12VHPWR connector has been plagued with issues—most notably, overheating and melting problems when improperly installed. With many RTX 4070 partner cards still using the traditional 8-pin connectors, it’s no surprise that NVIDIA is extending the same approach to its more budget-friendly RTX 5060 lineup.
This decision will make upgrading more accessible to users still running older GTX or RTX 2000/3000 series GPUs, as they won’t need to change their power supply or invest in a new adapter.
RTX 5060 Ti & RTX 5060: Expected Specs & Pricing
Leaked Specifications (Preliminary):
Model | GPU | VRAM | Memory Bus | TDP | Power Connector |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RTX 5060 Ti | Blackwell GB206? | 8GB/16GB GDDR7 | 128-bit | ~180-200W | 8-pin PCIe |
RTX 5060 | Blackwell GB206? | 8GB GDDR7 | 128-bit | ~150-180W | 8-pin PCIe |
While the final clock speeds and core configurations remain unknown, pricing leaks suggest that:
- RTX 5060 Ti will cost between ¥3,299-¥3,599 ($452-$493 USD).
- RTX 5060 will be priced between ¥2,599-¥3,399 ($356-$466 USD).
Notably, this marks a potential price increase compared to previous 60-class GPUs. With no direct competition from AMD in this segment, NVIDIA appears to be capitalizing on the lack of alternatives.
Release Date & Market Expectations
According to multiple sources, the GeForce RTX 5060 series is expected to launch in March-April 2025. NVIDIA’s decision to retain the 8-pin connector and recommend a higher PSU wattage suggests that these GPUs may have slightly higher power demands than their predecessors but will remain within a reasonable upgrade path for most gamers.
With the RTX 4060 Ti and RTX 4060 already offering solid 1080p performance, the RTX 5060 series is expected to improve upon that with enhanced efficiency, better AI capabilities, and potential memory upgrades.
A Convenient Upgrade Path for Gamers
NVIDIA’s move to retain the 8-pin PCIe power connector for the RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060 is a welcome decision for upgraders. With 650W PSU recommendations, gamers may need to check their power supply capacity, but for most users, this should not be a major hurdle.
With rumors of a price hike and no VRAM upgrade for the base RTX 5060, the success of these GPUs will depend heavily on their real-world performance.
FAQs
Why is NVIDIA not using the 12VHPWR connector?
The 12VHPWR connector has overheating issues, and many partner cards still use the 8-pin PCIe standard.
When will the RTX 5060 series be released?
The RTX 5060 and RTX 5060 Ti are rumored to launch in March-April 2025