AMD is facing mounting criticism over its decision to release an 8GB version of the Radeon RX 9060 XT at $299, a move that echoes NVIDIA’s controversial RTX 5060 Ti strategy. Frank Azor, AMD’s Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions, staunchly defends the 8GB configuration, arguing that most gamers at 1080p don’t need more VRAM – but reviewers and enthusiasts aren’t convinced.
The 8GB Debate: AMD’s Perspective vs. Gaming Realities
Azor contends that AMD wouldn’t produce an RX 9060 XT 8GB card if there weren’t demand, pointing to mainstream 1080p gaming as the target market. However, this rationale clashes with modern gaming trends:
- Recent AAA titles like Star Wars Outlaws recommend 12GB+ VRAM even at 1080p
- Textures and effects increasingly consume more memory
- Future-proofing concerns make 8GB a questionable investment at $299
The decision becomes more puzzling when considering AMD’s own 16GB variant is priced just $50 higher at $349 – a modest premium for double the memory capacity.
Naming Controversy: A Missed Opportunity for Clarity
AMD’s choice to brand both memory configurations as “RX 9060 XT” has drawn particular ire. Critics argue the company should have:
- Reserved the XT suffix for the 16GB model
- Marketed the 8GB version as a base RX 9060
- Clearly differentiated performance expectations
This mirrors NVIDIA’s approach with the RTX 5060 Ti, where only the 16GB model was provided to reviewers, potentially obscuring the 8GB version’s limitations.
8GB versions of products such as the 9060 XT are designed for system integrators to milk customers, which is why AMD and Nvidia mislead by using the same name. Just be honest. https://t.co/KyoFKXgKHg
— Hardware Unboxed (@HardwareUnboxed) May 23, 2025
Silver Linings in AMD’s Approach
Compared to NVIDIA’s strategy, AMD offers some consumer-friendly advantages:
- Full PCIe 5.0 x16 bandwidth (vs. NVIDIA’s x8 limitation)
- Both models available for review (no embargo on 8GB testing)
- Smaller price gap between memory configurations
Historical Context Raises Eyebrows
Azor’s defense rings hollow to some observers given:
- His previous dismissal of 32GB gaming GPU rumors (now a reality in Radeon PRO AI)
- Unfulfilled promises about RX 9070 series MSRP availability
- The RX 480’s 8GB configuration launched at $229 in 2016 – now $299 after inflation
Also, Read
- Gamers Engineer DIY Fixes for RTX 4090 Melting Connectors – Should You Try Them?
- AMD FSR Redstone Revealed: AI Ray Tracing & Frame Gen – But Only for RDNA4
- AMD Unveils Radeon RX 9060 XT – $299 8GB and $349 16GB Models to Challenge NVIDIA
What Buyers Should Consider
With the June 5 launch approaching, consumers face a dilemma:
- Casual 1080p gamers might find the 8GB model sufficient short-term
- Future-conscious buyers should stretch for the 16GB variant
- Value seekers may want to wait for real-world benchmarks