AMD Radeon RX 9060 Non-XT Emerges: Same Core Power, Slightly Slower Memory

The graphics card battleground just got more intriguing. Fresh leaks reveal AMD‘s strategic play to dominate the budget segment with its upcoming Radeon RX 9060 Non-XT, a card that promises near-identical performance to its XT sibling at a friendlier price. While AMD remains tight-lipped, multiple industry sources confirm this isn’t just another rebrand—it’s a calculated move to challenge Nvidia’s rumored RTX 5060 where it matters most: the sub-$300 market.

What Performance Can Gamers Expect from the RX 9060 Non-XT?

According to detailed specifications obtained by Videocardz, the RX 9060 Non-XT retains the identical Navi 44 GPU die and 2,048 Stream Processors found in the RX 9060 XT. Critically, it also maintains the same VRAM capacity—either 8GB or 16GB configurations—avoiding the crippling memory limitations that plagued previous budget cards. This positions it as a true next-gen contender rather than a stripped-down compromise.

Targeted Downgrades for Strategic Pricing

AMD’s cost-saving adjustments appear meticulously targeted:

• Memory Speed: GDDR6 VRAM drops from 20 Gbps to 18 Gbps, reducing bandwidth from 320 GB/s to 288 GB/s (-10%)
• Clock Speeds: Boost clock reportedly lowers by ~140 MHz to 2.99 GHz
• Power Efficiency: TDP expected at 130-140W (versus 150W for XT model)

Industry analysts note this mirrors AMD’s successful RX 7600/7600 XT strategy, where near-identical core specs enabled aggressive pricing. Tom’s Hardware adds a crucial caveat: the RX 9060 Non-XT may initially launch as a system-integrator exclusive, potentially delaying retail availability.

Market Impact and Competitive Positioning

With an anticipated $269-$279 price point, the Non-XT variant directly targets Nvidia’s rumored RTX 5060. This pricing pressure could force significant adjustments to Team Green’s launch strategy. The retained VRAM capacity is particularly notable—while the RTX 4060 launched with 8GB, AMD’s potential 16GB RX 9060 variant would provide future-proofing for demanding titles.

The bottom line? AMD isn’t just releasing a slower card—it’s engineering a value proposition. By preserving core processing power and VRAM while trimming less critical specs, they’re poised to offer 90%+ of the XT’s performance at ~20% lower cost.

For budget-conscious gamers, the AMD Radeon RX 9060 Non-XT represents a calculated gamble that pays off—delivering next-gen RDNA 4 architecture and essential VRAM without the premium price tag. Keep an eye on system builders for first access, and prepare for a shakeup in the $300 GPU wars.

Must Know

Q: How does the RX 9060 Non-XT differ from the XT model?
A: It uses the same Navi 44 GPU with 2,048 Stream Processors but reduces GDDR6 memory speed from 20 Gbps to 18 Gbps and lowers boost clocks by approximately 140 MHz. Power consumption also drops to 130-140W.

Q: Will the RX 9060 Non-XT have enough VRAM for modern games?
A: Yes. It retains the same 8GB or 16GB configurations as the XT model, avoiding the 8GB limitation that impacted previous generation budget cards in newer titles.

Q: When will the RX 9060 Non-XT be available to purchase?
A: According to Tom’s Hardware (June 2025), it may debut exclusively through system integrators before potential retail availability. No official launch date is confirmed.

Q: How does this affect competition with Nvidia’s RTX 5060?
A: The $269-$279 target price creates significant pressure on Nvidia. AMD’s combination of RDNA 4 architecture and higher VRAM options could force aggressive counter-pricing.

Q: Is the performance difference significant?
A: Based on specifications, expect ~8-12% lower performance than the XT model due to reduced memory bandwidth and clock speeds—similar to differences between AMD’s prior RX 7600 and 7600 XT.

Q: Should I wait for this instead of buying current-gen cards?
A: If you need a GPU immediately, current discounts on RX 7000-series cards offer value. If your budget is ~$270 and you can wait, the RX 9060’s new architecture and efficiency improvements likely justify waiting.