AMD Introduces New Radeon RX 9060 GPU: A Closer Look at its Specifications and Market Positioning

This article explores AMD's recent quiet introduction of the Radeon RX 9060, a new variant in their RDNA 4-based graphics card lineup. It delves into the technical specifications, comparing it to its XT counterpart, and discusses AMD's probable market strategy for this new offering.\n

Unveiling AMD's Latest: A New Contender in the Entry-Level GPU Arena

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AMD's Strategic Move: Introducing the Radeon RX 9060

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In a subtle yet significant development, AMD has broadened its RDNA 4 architecture with the release of the Radeon RX 9060, an iteration distinct from its existing RX 9060 XT. This new graphics processing unit arrives with a more modest configuration, featuring a reduced number of computational units, decreased operating frequencies, and a somewhat slower 8GB of video memory. Unlike its sibling, this model appears to be strategically positioned for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system builders, rather than directly targeting the eager DIY PC assembly market.

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Dissecting the Technical Differences: XT vs. Non-XT

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A detailed examination of the RX 9060 reveals 28 RDNA 4 compute units, a step down from the 32 found in the RX 9060 XT. While AMD has not explicitly stated the clock speeds for this new GPU, it is anticipated to utilize a slightly scaled-back version of the Navi 44 silicon shared with the 9060 XT. The raw computational prowess, measured in Peak Single Precision (FP32 Vector) Performance, stands at 21.4 TFLOPs for the 9060, in contrast to the 9060 XT's 25.6 TFLOPS. This disparity suggests that the XT model achieves its higher performance through elevated clock speeds, aligning with industry observations of a 2,990 MHz boost clock for the non-XT variant versus the XT's 3,130 MHz.

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Memory Specifications and Performance Implications

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Beyond the core differences, the memory configuration also sets the RX 9060 apart. While both models feature 8GB of VRAM, the non-XT version employs 18 Gbps GDDR6 memory, a downgrade from the 20 Gbps found in the 9060 XT. This translates to a reduction in memory bandwidth from 320 GB/s to 288 GB/s. Collectively, these adjustments are projected to result in approximately a 15% performance decrease for the RX 9060 compared to the RX 9060 XT 8GB model. A persistent concern remains the 8GB VRAM, which increasingly poses a bottleneck, even for gaming at 1080p resolution, the target demographic for this GPU.

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Real-World Performance Benchmarks at 1080p

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AMD has furnished specific performance metrics for the RX 9060, showcasing its capabilities at 'Native 1080p Ultra Settings' across a selection of popular titles. Noteworthy results include 108 frames per second (FPS) in Assassin's Creed Mirage, 98 FPS in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, an impressive 153 FPS in DOOM Eternal (with Ray Tracing enabled), and 67 FPS in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Interestingly, comparable figures are absent from the product page for the RX 9060 XT 8GB, though the 16GB XT model's page highlights 1440p performance, underscoring the benefits of increased video memory. The pricing strategy for the RX 9060 is yet to be fully revealed, but it is expected to sit below the RX 9060 XT's $299 MSRP, with its availability to direct consumers remaining uncertain.