RTX 4060 vs RTX 5060: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The RTX 5060 picks up where the RTX 4060 left off. The RTX 4060 is up against it here: the RTX 5060 wins 2 of the 3 areas on our scorecard, with gpu & performance as its standout.
At a glance
- GPU & Performance RTX 5060 wins
- Memory RTX 5060 wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 4060 wins
- Price Tie
- GPU & Performance3.1
- Memory0.0
- GPU & Performance8.8
- Memory3.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The RTX 5060 has 27% more theoretical FP32 compute
Among all the differences on this page, 19.2 TFLOPS against 15.1 TFLOPS is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the RTX 5060. The RTX 5060 has more theoretical compute, which often, but not always, translates into higher frame rates.
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The RTX 4060 has 30 W lower board power
The RTX 5060 gives up a lot on total board power: 145 W, compared with 115 W on the RTX 4060. The RTX 4060 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
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The RTX 5060 has 25% more shader units
Few buyers will miss this one. The RTX 5060 brings 3,840 to the table; the RTX 4060 brings 3,072. Shader units do most of the heavy lifting in games, so more of them usually means more frames per second within the same architecture.
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The RTX 5060 has 65% more memory bandwidth
When it comes to memory bandwidth, the RTX 5060 wins comfortably with 448 GB/s against 272 GB/s. Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
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The RTX 5060 has 25% more ray tracing units
It’s a lopsided result (30 for the RTX 5060, 24 for the RTX 4060) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. More ray tracing units help keep frame rates up when ray-traced lighting, shadows and reflections are switched on.
Design & Size
GPU & Performance
RTX 5060 leads
The gpu & performance numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the RTX 5060. In its favor, the RTX 5060 has 27% more theoretical FP32 compute. FP32 compute is a theoretical peak that combines shader count and clock speed, a quick way to size up raw power. For gpu & performance, the RTX 5060 is the one to beat.
FP32 compute
RTX 4060: 15.1 TFLOPS RTX 5060: 19.2 TFLOPS Architectures use their compute differently, so treat the gap as a guide and look at game benchmarks for the details.
Shader units
RTX 4060: 3,072 RTX 5060: 3,840 Treat shader count as a strong hint about performance tier, then check benchmarks for the games you actually play.
Memory
RTX 5060 leads
Look at the memory table and one name keeps coming out on top: the RTX 5060. The RTX 5060 delivers 65% more memory bandwidth. The RTX 5060 has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games. In short, the RTX 5060 is the better-equipped card for memory.
Memory bandwidth
RTX 4060: 272 GB/s RTX 5060: 448 GB/s Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
Features
In the features section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the RTX 4060 and the RTX 5060 list in the table below.
Power & Thermals
RTX 4060 leads
This is one of the RTX 4060’s strongest areas. On power & thermals, the RTX 5060 falls well short. The RTX 4060 adds 30 W lower board power. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 5060’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed. If power & thermals is your priority, the RTX 4060 is the card to pick.
Total board power
RTX 4060: 115 W RTX 5060: 145 W Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RTX 4060 | RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Blackwell |
| GPU die | AD107 | GB206 |
| Process | TSMC 4N | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 3,072 | 3,840 (winner) Most shader units |
| Ray tracing units | 24 | 30 (winner) Most ray tracing units |
| Base clock | 1,830 MHz Lowest base clock | 2,280 MHz (winner) |
| Boost clock | 2,460 MHz Lowest boost clock | 2,497 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 15.1 TFLOPS | 19.2 TFLOPS (winner) Most compute in class |
Memory
| Spec | RTX 4060 | RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR7 |
| Memory bus | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 272 GB/s Least memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RTX 4060 | RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS Super Resolution | DLSS 4 Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) | DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (up to 4x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x8 | PCIe 5.0 x8 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RTX 4060 | RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 115 W (winner) Lowest power draw in class | 145 W |
| Recommended PSU | 300 W | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | RTX 4060 | RTX 5060 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $299 | $299 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The RTX 4060 and the RTX 5060 launched at the same price, so this comes down to the specs.
Based on US launch pricing as of May 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RTX 4060 if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (115 W vs 145 W)
- you find the RTX 4060 already covers everything you need
Choose the RTX 5060 if…
- you want more theoretical compute (19.2 TFLOPS vs 15.1 TFLOPS)
- you want more shader units working on every frame (3,840 vs 3,072)
- you want more memory bandwidth (448 GB/s vs 272 GB/s)
- you want more dedicated ray tracing hardware (30 vs 24)
- you plan to keep it for a long time and want to start from the newer generation
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RTX 4060 or the RTX 5060?
We’d point most buyers to the RTX 5060. The main exception is if you’re already happy with the RTX 4060.
Is the RTX 5060 worth it over the RTX 4060?
For most owners, it’s a meaningful step. The RTX 5060 brings 27% more theoretical FP32 compute, 25% more shader units and 65% more memory bandwidth over the RTX 4060.
Which is faster, the RTX 4060 or the RTX 5060?
The RTX 5060 should be the quicker of the two, with 27% more theoretical FP32 compute and 25% more shader units on its side.
Executive Summary
The RTX 4060 had its run, and now the RTX 5060 has taken over. Here’s what I think actually changed. My main argument for the RTX 5060? It comes with 27% more theoretical FP32 compute. A second point goes to the RTX 5060 for 65% more memory bandwidth. The RTX 4060 isn’t without merit: 30 W lower board power is a real advantage.
Match the strength to your habits (power & thermals for the RTX 4060, gpu & performance for the RTX 5060), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: the RTX 5060 if you’re buying fresh, but I wouldn’t rush to replace a working RTX 4060.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.