On retailer cabinets, AMD’s Radeon RX 9060 XT seems like a compelling possibility for avid gamers. It is reasonably priced, backed by a trusted model, and seems well-equipped for contemporary gaming. However there is a catch: the 8GB model is severely constrained by its restricted video reminiscence – a technical bottleneck that won’t present up in normal benchmarks. That lacking reminiscence turns the 8GB mannequin right into a ticking time bomb for avid gamers hoping to future-proof their rigs.
The 8GB RX 9060 XT is marketed underneath the identical identify because the 16GB mannequin, but performance-wise, they inform very completely different tales. In our overview, we highlighted a number of trendy video games with rising VRAM calls for the place the 8GB model did not simply wrestle – it broke.
Body charges tanked. Texture streaming stuttered. What ought to have been clean gameplay at affordable settings turned a irritating expertise. That is problematic for a number of causes, however most significantly, a brand-new graphics card shouldn’t be bottlenecked by restricted VRAM in right now’s titles – and but, right here we’re.
This turns into a serious concern when you think about that almost all consumers anticipate to maintain their GPU for no less than three to 4 years. And if 8GB is already falling brief in 2025, the street forward seems even rougher.
The Way forward for VRAM Utilization
In these 3 to 4 years, video games will nearly actually develop into extra demanding, requiring considerably extra VRAM than they do right now. Builders are already sounding the alarm. Even now, optimizing video games for 8GB GPUs is turning into a time-consuming hurdle – an issue many within the gaming neighborhood flagged effectively earlier than it confirmed up in overview metrics. Some builders have spent weeks, even months, constructing workarounds simply to make video games useful on 8GB playing cards, solely to see gamers anticipate next-gen experiences on last-gen reminiscence footprints.
Testing VRAM limitations could be tough, and in lots of circumstances, a fast 30- to 60-second benchmark run will not reveal the efficiency points gamers encounter throughout prolonged gaming periods.
For instance, to see VRAM-related efficiency points in Halo Infinite on an 8GB GPU utilizing extremely settings at 1080p or 1440p, you typically must play the sport for a chronic interval. It takes time to overwhelm the VRAM buffer. Texture points, nevertheless, have a tendency to seem extra rapidly, however it’s a must to be in search of them – they usually will not present up in benchmark graphs.
One other issue reviewers typically overlook is {hardware} configuration. When testing GPUs, it is normal apply to pair them with the newest and quickest CPUs to showcase their full potential, and that is precisely what we do.
However with regards to VRAM limitations, testing on a high-end CPU with quick reminiscence and a contemporary platform represents a best-case state of affairs for pushing the VRAM buffer. We briefly demonstrated this in our RX 9060 XT 8GB overview by operating checks on a Core i7-8700K, a processor restricted to PCI Specific 3.0 and slower DDR4 reminiscence – and the outcomes had been stunning.
Testing Technique
For this check, we’re utilizing our high-end 9800X3D check system to guage PCIe efficiency. This implies we’re isolating the PCIe bus and testing it particularly, giving us a transparent understanding of how PCIe bandwidth influences efficiency – significantly when dipping into system reminiscence.
We had thought of utilizing older CPUs to signify PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 configurations, however that might introduce too many variables. As an alternative, we’re sticking with the 9800X3D and manually adjusting the PCIe mode within the BIOS.
Additionally try: The Inside Workings of PCI Specific, How {Hardware} Works
This permits us to measure the efficiency of the 8GB RX 9060 XT utilizing PCIe 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0, and evaluate that information to the 16GB RX 9060 XT utilizing PCIe 3.0. These outcomes are particularly helpful for these with out PCIe 5.0-capable programs, as many platforms are nonetheless restricted to PCIe 4.0 and even 3.0.
Let’s dive into the testing.
Benchmarks
F1 25 – Very Excessive
Beginning with F1 25 utilizing the very excessive preset – the second highest high quality setting within the sport – we additionally checked efficiency utilizing the excessive preset, which we’ll cowl shortly. The 16GB RX 9060 XT averaged 73 fps on this check, with 1% lows at 51 fps. That is stable, very playable efficiency.
With PCIe 5.0, the 8GB model was 18% slower, dropping to 60 fps, with 1% lows down by 22%. Bear in mind, that is the 8GB mannequin on PCIe 5.0 versus the 16GB mannequin on PCIe 3.0.
When downgrading the 8GB card to PCIe 4.0, efficiency dropped by 30% to only 42 fps.
On PCIe 3.0 – the identical interface utilized by the 16GB mannequin on this check – efficiency fell additional to only 35 fps.
That is a 17% drop in comparison with PCIe 4.0, and 42% slower than PCIe 5.0. Worse nonetheless, on PCIe 3.0, the 8GB RX 9060 XT was 53% slower than the 16GB model on the identical interface – or to place it one other means, the 16GB mannequin was 111% sooner.
F1 25 – Excessive
This is F1 25 once more, this time utilizing the excessive preset at 1440p with high quality upscaling. The 16GB RX 9060 XT delivered 190 fps on common with 1% lows at 156 fps, all on PCIe 3.0. By comparability, the 8GB mannequin was 11% slower when utilizing PCIe 5.0.
Switching the 8GB card to PCIe 4.0 led to an extra 12% drop to 149 fps, and one other 13% drop utilizing PCIe 3.0. With each GPUs on PCIe 3.0, the 16GB mannequin offered almost 50% larger common body charges and 63% larger 1% lows. Once more, these are very affordable settings – excessive preset at 1440p with high quality upscaling – so for those who’re utilizing an older PC, it is important to go for the 16GB mannequin.
Monster Hunter Wilds
In Monster Hunter Wilds, the sport merely would not run effectively on 8GB GPUs utilizing the extremely preset at 1440p with high quality upscaling. The 16GB mannequin averaged over 60 fps on PCIe 3.0 – twice the efficiency of the 8GB card underneath the identical situations.
Even with PCIe 5.0, the 8GB model struggled, delivering horrible body time efficiency and 1% lows of simply 2 fps.
Apparently, elevated PCIe bandwidth did enhance common body charges for the 8GB mannequin, but it surely truly worsened the 1% lows, creating extra stuttering. This appears to be a results of rendering extra frames total whereas nonetheless operating out of VRAM. The takeaway right here is that PCIe bandwidth alone can’t remedy the VRAM bottleneck of the 8GB RX 9060 XT on this title – particularly with solely 8 lanes accessible.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 runs exceptionally effectively at 1440p with upscaling on the 16GB RX 9060 XT, averaging 112 fps with 1% lows of 66 fps. That is 26% sooner than the 8GB mannequin utilizing PCIe 5.0, and 38% sooner for 1% lows.
Switching the 8GB card from PCIe 5.0 to 4.0 prompted a 20% efficiency drop. Transferring to PCIe 3.0 resulted in an excellent bigger 27% decline, dropping the typical body charge to only 52 fps.
This implies in a PCIe 3.0 system, utilizing the settings proven right here, the 16GB model of the RX 9060 XT delivers no less than 115% larger common body charges and 175% larger 1% lows. Even in PCIe 4.0 programs, the 16GB mannequin continues to be 58% sooner on common and 74% sooner for 1% lows.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Aside
Transferring on to Ratchet & Clank: Rift Aside at 1440p with high quality upscaling utilizing the very excessive preset, the 16GB RX 9060 XT on PCIe 3.0 averaged 128 fps, with 1% lows of 97 fps – glorious efficiency total.
Beneath the identical situations with PCIe 3.0, the 8GB mannequin was 103% slower on common and 155% slower in 1% lows. Upgrading to PCIe 4.0 improved efficiency for the 8GB mannequin by 30%, however the 16GB card was nonetheless 56% sooner. Transferring from PCIe 4.0 to five.0 gave the 8GB mannequin one other 32% increase, making it usable, though the 16GB mannequin nonetheless maintained a 20% efficiency benefit.
Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle
Subsequent up is Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle. Right here, the 16GB RX 9060 XT utilizing PCI Specific 3.0 rendered a mean of 135 fps, with 1% lows at 113 fps – very stable efficiency total. Beneath the identical situations, the 8GB mannequin utilizing PCIe 3.0 managed simply 45 fps, making the 16GB model 200% sooner, and 223% sooner when evaluating 1% lows.
Rising the PCIe bandwidth to PCIe 4.0 improved the 8GB mannequin’s common body charge by a considerable 44%, reaching 65 fps. Nonetheless, this was nonetheless lower than half the efficiency of the 16GB mannequin. Switching to PCIe 5.0 delivered an extra 42% efficiency increase, and total efficiency turned fairly good. Even so, the 16GB card remained 47% sooner – whereas nonetheless operating on PCIe 3.0.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon Age: The Veilguard doesn’t run effectively on 8GB graphics playing cards utilizing the extremely preset at 1440p with upscaling, whatever the PCI Specific mode. On PCIe 3.0, the 16GB mannequin was 174% sooner.
Even after switching the 8GB card to PCIe 4.0, the 16GB model remained 70% sooner, and nonetheless held a 31% lead when the 8GB card used PCIe 5.0. Regardless of these good points, 1% lows on the 8GB card had been poor throughout all PCIe configurations.
Bonus: 5800X3D Testing
F1 25 (5800X3D)
To wrap up testing, we put in each GPUs into our Ryzen 7 5800X3D system, which is proscribed to PCIe 4.0 – the best interface supported by the AM4 platform.
Apparently, the 16GB RX 9060 XT delivered almost similar efficiency on each the 5800X3D and 9800X3D programs, as GPU compute efficiency was the limiting issue. So, whatever the CPU used, the complete potential of the 16GB mannequin was unlocked with these high quality settings.
The 8GB mannequin, nevertheless, continued to point out inconsistencies. Utilizing PCIe 4.0 with the 9800X3D, the 16GB model was already 27% sooner than the 8GB mannequin. However on the 5800X3D, the efficiency hole widened to 44%, because of an extra 11% efficiency drop – probably attributable to the slower DDR4-3600 reminiscence used on AM4.
The takeaway: at finest, you’ll be able to anticipate efficiency much like the 9800X3D when utilizing an older or slower CPU, however as a rule, the hole between the 8GB and 16GB fashions shall be even bigger.
Ratchet & Clank (5800X3D)
It is vital to notice that this efficiency hole is not constant throughout all titles.
Take Ratchet & Clank: Rift Aside, for instance. Right here, the 8GB RX 9060 XT utilizing PCIe 4.0 delivered almost similar common body charges when paired with both the 5800X3D or the 9800X3D. Nonetheless, 1% lows – which had been already poor on the 9800X3D – had been even worse on the 5800X3D.
Making Sense of the Numbers
So there you’ve it. As proven earlier with the Core i7-8700K, you completely don’t need to run out of VRAM on a PCI Specific 3.0 system, even when all 16 lanes can be found. These utilizing PCIe 4.0 programs will fare significantly better, however as we additionally noticed with PCIe 5.0, a big efficiency hit is not all the time avoidable.
In almost all the video games examined, the 8GB RX 9060 XT was successfully unusable when restricted to PCIe 3.0 – F1 25 with the excessive preset being the one actual exception, although even then, efficiency lagged effectively behind the 16GB mannequin.
This highlights that even with extra modest settings, efficiency can drop sharply on older platforms. You solely must exceed the native video reminiscence restrict barely to come across critical efficiency points… issues that might typically go unnoticed on trendy programs with ample VRAM and bandwidth.
PCIe bandwidth ought to by no means be a performance-limiting issue, and the one dependable means to make sure that is by having sufficient VRAM. At this level, 16GB is ample, 8GB shouldn’t be.
One other vital issue to contemplate is motherboard configuration. Many motherboards, particularly budget-oriented fashions, will cut back the PCIe lane rely to the first GPU slot when the secondary PCIe slot is populated. So, if something is put in within the secondary PCIe x16 slot, each the first and secondary slots could function in an x8/x8 configuration, one thing that’s extraordinarily widespread.
This successfully halves the accessible PCIe bandwidth for the graphics card. For instance, on a PCIe 4.0 system with all 16 lanes energetic, there’s 64 GB/s of bandwidth. However with solely 8 lanes, that drops to 32 GB/s, or the identical bandwidth you’d get from PCIe 3.0 x16.
Finally, PCIe bandwidth ought to by no means be a performance-limiting issue, and the one dependable means to make sure that is by having sufficient VRAM. At this level, 16GB is ample, 8GB shouldn’t be. That stated, having the complete 16 lanes accessible nonetheless advantages the 8GB RX 9060 XT considerably. We’ll revisit this and a few new testing in a follow-up benchmark session with completely different GPUs and PCIe configurations.
