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Asus swaps out the PCIe x16 connector for x8 on new RTX 5060 Ti GPUs — Gigabyte does the opposite with x16 upgrade to its WindForce Max card
As observed by hardware enthusiast Uniko's Hardware, Asus and Gigabyte have launched new versions of their GeForce RTX 5060 Ti models, which are among the best graphics cards currently available. In the case of Asus, the new Evo-branded SKU is more compact but also involves several noticeable downgrades. Conversely, in Gigabyte's case, the update appears to be solely an aesthetic modification.
The primary, and arguably most significant, modification in Asus and Gigabyte's updated models pertains to the PCIe connector. Asus has transitioned to a PCIe x8 connector on the Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Evo 16GB GDDR7, replacing the PCIe x16 connector present in the original Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB GDDR7. Conversely, Gigabyte has implemented the opposite adjustment by adopting a PCIe x16 connector on the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WindForce Max 16G in place of the PCIe x8 connector used in the previous GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WindForce 16G.
The GeForce RTX 5060 and GeForce RTX 5060 Ti operate efficiently with a PCIe x8 connector, as Nvidia has engineered these graphics cards to function optimally on this interface. Although a PCIe x16 connector can be installed on either of these mid-range, Blackwell-powered models, they are electrically configured to operate at x8. Therefore, the performance is unaffected whether the graphics card uses a PCIe x16 or x8 connector.
Asus and Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Specifications
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Brand
Model
Dimensions (Inches)
Boost Clock (MHz)
CUDA Cores
Memory
Part Number
Asus
Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Evo 16GB GDDR7
8.85 x 4.72 x 1.65
2,602
4,608
16GB GDDR7
DUAL-RTX5060TI-16G-EVO
Asus
Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB GDDR7
9.01 x 4.72 x 1.97
2,602
4,608
16GB GDDR7
DUAL-RTX5060TI-16G
Gigabyte
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WindForce Max 16G
8.19 x 4.72 x 1.57
2,572
4,608
16GB GDDR7
GV-N506TWF2MAX-16GD
Gigabyte
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WindForce 16G
8.19 x 4.72 x 1.57
2,572
4,608
16GB GDDR7
GV-N506TWF2-16GD
The primary rationale for downgrading from a PCIe x16 to a PCIe x8 connector is cost reduction, as the former is more expensive due to its larger size and additional data lanes. While this may apply to Asus, it is also possible that Gigabyte recycles surplus PCBs for this purpose.
The PCIe x8 connector isn't the only change to the Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Evo 16GB GDDR7. The new model is also more compact, as Asus has reduced the design from 2.5 slots to 2.1 slots and shortened the graphics card by around 2%. The goal was to make the Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Evo 16GB GDDR7 more friendly to SFF (small-form-factor) systems. Sadly, this modification reduced some features compared to the original model.
The Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Evo 16GB GDDR7 no longer supports dual-BIOS functionality. The original version included a switch that enabled users to toggle between P Mode and Q Mode, allowing them to choose between enhanced performance and reduced noise levels. This feature is absent in the Evo edition. Furthermore, it does not utilize Asus GPU Guard, which involves applying adhesive to the four corners of the GB206 silicon to prevent potential cracking. Another minor modification is relocating the 8-pin PCIe connector to the left side of the Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Evo 16GB GDDR7.
Meanwhile, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WindForce Max 16G is physically indistinguishable from the previous GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WindForce 16G, except for the positioning of the 8-pin PCIe power connector. In the Max variant, it is situated on the right side, resembling the placement on the Asus non-Evo model.
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Asus and Gigabyte discreetly introduced the Evo and Max models, respectively. Although the updated SKUs are listed on their respective websites, pricing and availability currently remain undisclosed.
Zhiye Liu is a news editor, memory reviewer, and SSD tester at Tom’s Hardware. Although he loves everything that’s hardware, he has a soft spot for CPUs, GPUs, and RAM.
Im not sure if pepole should be disappointed or not, cuz I have suspicion that at the resolution this card is targeted at that a reduction from x16 to x8 would make a discernable difference in general performance.
GB206 chip in RTX 5060Ti is x8 interface ONLY anyway. Half of the x16 connector would be blank, but having it would allow the motherboard latch to work.
GB206 chip in RTX 5060Ti is x8 interface ONLY anyway. Half of the x16 connector would be blank, but having it would allow the motherboard latch to work.
Ive also broken off a few on accident over the years hasnt ever been an issue for me, and ive owned some massive cards.
Not going to get away with that on these newer models. Even tiny cracks near the hook will damage traces. You see massive number of photos on various forum showing the reason people were refused warranty repair. A lot of this is people forcing the card out of the slot but when you are required o have a special stand in your case to prevent the card from bending and cracking this connector it is poor design.
