ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Video Card Review and Testing
Today we will review the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card with 8 GB of memory. The model is built on the Blackwell architecture and uses a cut-down GPU with 3840 CUDA cores. The card received a 128-bit bus, GDDR7 memory with a bandwidth of 448 GB/s and a three-fan cooling system.
| APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS |
This section of our review highlights the main aspects of the ASUS Radeon RX 9070 XT TUF Gaming OC Edition, such as its appearance and hardware configuration.
| APPEARANCE |
The ASUS TUF RTX 5060 comes in a black box with a green accent and a large TUF series logo. On the front side there is an image of the card itself, the OC Edition modification, 8 GB GDDR7 video memory and DLSS 4 support are indicated. The box is made in the usual ASUS TUF style - strict, without unnecessary graphics, with an emphasis on reliability and minimalism. The entire design speaks about the product's position in the line: this is an inexpensive but serious model with basic features of the series.
The packaging inside is completely made of dense foam material, tightly covering the card from all sides. The video card is supplied in an antistatic bag, and at the bottom you can see an additional compartment with accessories. This level of protection is standard for the TUF series, which emphasizes the strength and reliability of the design. No soft pads - only rigid fixation and protection from any mechanical damage during transportation.
The kit includes a card with a protective film, branded paper packaging with documentation and a couple of TUF Gaming stickers. There is also a metal support for mounting the video card in the case, which is especially important given its weight. Everything is neatly packed, without unnecessary elements - the kit is minimalistic, but functional.
The video card case is made of dark cast aluminum with gray decorative inserts along the edges. In the center are three fans with ASUS and TUF logos, which rotate in alternating directions (the outer ones - clockwise, the central one - counter-clockwise). The radiator is hidden under a massive casing, tightly fitting the ventilation ducts. The total length of the card is about 30 cm, the thickness is almost 3 slots. Visually, the design is strict, angular, with a minimum of decorative elements - all in the spirit of TUF.
The back side of the card is covered with a metal plate with cutouts for heat dissipation. There is a large TUF GAMING inscription and the RTX logo, as well as a proprietary BIOS switch - P Mode and Q Mode. The switch is recessed inside, which eliminates accidental activation during installation. The backplate itself plays both a decorative and structural role - it adds rigidity and protects the board from bending.
On the side of the card there is the GEFORCE RTX inscription and a cutout for the radiator, through which the massive aluminum block is clearly visible. There is also an 8-pin power connector, slightly recessed into the case. This simplifies the cable connection and improves the appearance during assembly. There are no backlights around the perimeter - TUF remains true to practicality.
On the opposite side is the TUF logo and a decorative "coordinate" print with geographic meanings. Part of the printed circuit board and power elements are visible through the cutouts, some components go under the casing. Also visible is the tight placement of the radiator and protruding heat pipes responsible for heat dissipation from GPU and VRM.
The end of the casing is made in the form of a flat vertical panel with the TUF GAMING logo, covering the end of the radiator. In this part, the massiveness of the entire design is visible - the radiator almost reaches the edge of the casing, with a minimal gap between them. This approach is used in cards with a priority on cooling and durability, especially with low heat emission of the chip.
The port area contains four outputs: three DisplayPort and one HDMI. The bar is made of 304 stainless steel with a black coating. The grille for hot air outlet is standard, the ventilation holes are located between the ports. The layout of the connectors is classic, all plugs are plastic, removable, without markings.
The backplate features a BIOS switch labeled P Mode and Q Mode. The first mode enables increased performance, while the second reduces fan noise and speed. This is a standard feature for TUF cards, allowing the user to prioritize between silence and maximum clock speed. The switch itself is easily accessible, but recessed deep enough to prevent accidental switching.
| ARCHITECTURE |
The Blackwell architecture is a new generation of NVIDIA graphics solutions, replacing Ada Lovelace. In the case of the RTX 5060, the GB206 chip is used, which belongs to the youngest level of the family. It is made using a 5-nanometer process technology, but has nothing in common with the top-end GB100 or GB202 series chips used in HBM solutions and flagship GPU.
Blackwell's main feature in the mainstream segment is its focus on improving power efficiency and memory bandwidth. The RTX 5060 uses GDDR7 memory with a 128-bit interface, which provides almost twice the bandwidth of the RTX 6's GDDR4060. This is an attempt to compensate for the narrow bus without increasing power consumption and die area. The GB206 chip itself is built on a monolithic scheme, without chiplets, and has a reduced set of blocks: 3840 CUDA cores, 30 RT cores, and 120 tensor cores.
Unlike the older models, the GB206 lacks full-fledged updated 3rd generation RT cores and advanced tensor units optimized for neural network operations. The card supports DLSS 4 and Frame Generation, but the hardware is limited to basic tracing and scaling. This emphasizes its position - not as a carrier of new technologies, but as a transitional stage to them, where software covers the hardware deficit.
The Ada architecture inherits the core of the graphics pipeline, including memory compression, BVH acceleration units, and the basic structure of streaming multiprocessors (SM). New features include a redesigned power and cache management system, larger L2 buffers (5060 MB in the RTX 16), and improved interaction with the PCIe bus. However, PCIe itself remains cut down — 8 lanes instead of 16, like the RTX 4060.
In general, the Blackwell architecture in the GB206 version is a compromise solution: minimal crystal area, high energy efficiency, modern memory and software compatibility with top functions. But in fact, this is an optimized version of Ada with minor architectural edits and an emphasis on reducing costs.
| OPERATING MODES GPU Tweak III |
Default Mode activates the standard factory configuration of the video card. The maximum Boost frequency reaches 2640 MHz, and the power limit is set at 100%. Memory frequencies are fixed at 28002 MHz (effectively 28 Gbps). When there is no load GPU drops to 510 MHz, and the fans start spinning only when a certain temperature threshold is reached. This is the basic mode, balanced in terms of power consumption, performance and noise, optimal for regular gaming and all-day use.
OC fashion includes proprietary overclocking from ASUS. Power Target is increased to 110%, and the frequency GPU peaks at 2670 MHz. All other parameters remain the same: the memory operates at the same frequency, the fans are in auto mode, the 0dB mode is active. At the same time, a small power reserve is unlocked, which allows GPU maintain maximum frequencies a little longer under prolonged load. This profile is aimed at those who want to get the most out of the card without interfering with the BIOS or manual tuning.
Silent Mode reduces the power limit to 90% and reduces the Boost frequency to 2610 MHz. The memory remains unchanged - 28002 MHz. The main task of this mode is to reduce noise and heat generation. When there is no load, the fans are completely turned off, and GPU operates at reduced frequencies. This solution is suitable for light loads, office work, watching videos and gaming with minimal noise, especially in a closed or poorly ventilated case.
| HEATING AND POWER CONSUMPTION |
In the FurMark stress test, the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 graphics card demonstrates stable operation under full load. At 1920x1080, the GPU temperature reached 58 °C, while the fan speed was around 1430 RPM (at 49%). The core frequency was maintained at around 2550-2610 MHz, without any spikes or drops, which confirms the stability of Boost even under extreme conditions. Loading GPU was at 100%, but no throttling or overheating was recorded.
The peak power consumption was exactly 150 W, which is the maximum declared value for the RTX 5060. At the same time, the card worked with a power factor of PWR = 1.000, which means there were no power restrictions and full compliance with the declared characteristics. Even under load, the cooling system remained balanced: the fans did not go beyond 50% speed, which ensured a moderate noise level without an annoying hum. This is especially important for assemblies focused on silence in all-day work.
Importantly, the stress test was conducted in a case with limited ventilation, simulating real-life gaming conditions. Despite this, the GPU temperature remained within safe limits. In gaming scenarios, the RTX 5060's power consumption averages between 90 and 120 watts, depending on the resolution and settings, while the temperature remains below 60 °C. This indicates good thermal headroom and efficient operation of the TUF three-fan system, and also suggests that even under prolonged load, the card will remain within safe limits without reducing performance.
| TEST PART |
| GAMES |
| Cyberpunk 2077 |
| Stellar Blade Demo |
| STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl |
| Avowed |
| The Last of Us Part II Remastered |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages |
| The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered |
| CONCLUSION |
ASUS TUF RTX 5060 — is a balanced entry-level solution based on the Blackwell architecture, designed for comfortable gaming at 1080p with active use of DLSS and frame generation. The card is equipped with 8 GB of GDDR7 video memory with a bandwidth of 448 GB/s, which provides a good response in most scenarios. At the same time, power consumption remains within 150 W, and the TUF cooling system handles the load confidently and quietly.
The utility deserves special attention GPU Tweak III: three operating modes allow you to flexibly adjust the video card's behavior depending on the user's preferences - from quiet all-day operation to light automatic overclocking. Even in the FurMark stress test, the card does not overheat and maintains a stable frequency without signs of throttling.
In real games, the RTX 5060 shows solid performance with DLSS enabled. Most titles run stably with active frame generation, allowing for 90–140 FPS and higher. However, in some cases, like DOOM: The Dark Ages, a lack of video memory may occur, especially when ray tracing and Frame Generator are enabled — in these scenarios, 8 GB becomes the limit. However, for the current generation of 1080p games, the card remains relevant with proper configuration and acceleration technologies.
Bottom Line: The RTX 5060 is a modern entry-level solution for those who are focused on Full HD and don’t plan to use ultra settings without upscaling. With a reasonable price and support for all the latest technologies, it is suitable for balanced gaming builds with an emphasis on efficiency and stability.
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