The best-worst 8GB GPU of 2025

The Radeon 9060 XT 8GB is a better choice over the RTX 5060 Ti due to performance and price.

: A comparison between the AMD Radeon 9060 XT and the Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti demonstrates the limitations of 8GB GPUs when handling modern games. Despite adequate average frame rates, 1% lows cripple performance on the 5060 Ti, while the 9060 XT still struggles but performs relatively better across various settings. Notably, both GPUs are affected differently by PCIe bandwidth, with the Radeon maintaining stable 1% lows under reduced lanes. In a market where 8GB VRAM quickly becomes inadequate, the 9060 XT offers better affordability and reliability than its counterpart.

In 2025, the title of "best-worst" 8GB GPU has gone to the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT (8GB), with the NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti (8GB) close behind. These GPUs, while marketed at the midrange price segment, have struggled in modern games that require more than 8GB of VRAM, especially at high or ultra settings. TechSpot's benchmarks showed that in titles like F1 25 and Monster Hunter: Wilds, the 8GB models produced stutters and drastically lower 1% lows compared to their 16GB counterparts, rendering them nearly unusable in certain scenarios.

The broader industry sentiment has shifted, as even 1080p gaming now pushes past the 8GB barrier in many AAA games. Enthusiasts on Reddit and analysts at Tom’s Hardware warn that investing in 8GB GPUs today means buying into immediate obsolescence. The cost difference between 8GB and 16GB variants is now minimal, but the performance delta—especially in frametime consistency—is significant enough to justify spending more for future-proofing.

Despite this, AMD executives argue that most gamers still play at 1080p with moderate settings, where 8GB remains sufficient. The RX 9060 XT 8GB, priced around $299, can handle esports and less demanding titles well. However, AMD also released a 16GB version of the same card, indirectly acknowledging the limitations of 8GB in the modern landscape. PC Gamer noted that while the average player might not feel the squeeze today, it is inevitable with upcoming game engines and textures.

Among the worst findings was that the RX 9060 XT 8GB not only underperformed in raw FPS but also degraded the user experience due to stuttering and forced downgrades in visual fidelity. Similarly, the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB fared slightly better but was still a poor investment compared to alternatives like the 4060 Ti 16GB or AMD's 7700 XT. These results led TechSpot to crown the RX 9060 XT 8GB as the "worst 8GB GPU" of the year.

In conclusion, while 8GB GPUs may serve casual or budget-conscious users today, they represent a poor long-term choice in 2025. Gamers aiming for consistent performance in modern and future titles should avoid these 8GB variants, especially the RX 9060 XT and RTX 5060 Ti, and instead look to 16GB options for a smoother, more reliable experience.

Sources: TechSpot, Tom’s Hardware, PC Gamer, Reddit, AMD

HardwaregamingGraphics Cards