Reviewers Bemused by Restrictive Sampling of RX 9060 XT 8 GB Cards

[T0@st]

Prior to early May, the existence of AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB GDDR6 model seemed to be in question. Discerning graphics card buyers tend to opt for larger pools of VRAM. In the modern era, 12 GB or 16 GB options are preferred in budget-to-mid-range segments. Additionally, media outlets are growing weary with a continued delivery of new-gen 8 GB offerings. Yesterday, Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter expressed a similar sentiment: "unhappily, AMD did not sample the 8 GB version of the (Radeon RX 9060 XT) card—perhaps because it knows the kind of reception it would receive from a tech press that are mostly united about the need for 8 GB cards to be shown the door." The site's Technology Editor was not alone in voicing frustrations about certain conditions that apply to international members of the media.

Yesterday, Linus Tech Tips (LTT) pulled back a major curtain. Their leaking of an alleged "official review guideline" demonstrates some level of exerting too much control. LTT shared a screenshot of AMD's "commitment to the press" (see below). On the subject of evaluators gaining access to the cheaper (baseline MSRP: $299) Navi 44 XT GPU-based card, a liaison stated: "as for the 8 GB models, AMD has enabled global reviews of both 16 GB and 8 GB models of the Radeon RX 9060 XT based on regional market demand. So in short, yes, there are some other global publications that are receiving 8 GB models for testing." VideoCardz's tracking of day one critiques reveals an almost complete seeding of 16 GB variants (starting at $349). Vitally, TechPowerUp's W1zzard will be reaching into his own pocket(s). As outlined in his reviews of various better equipped options: "since it wasn't possible to get an 8 GB model for review, everyone focused on 16 GB models. I'll buy one of course as soon as possible, to get you the crucial info how it performs." Back in April, (on his own dime) TPU's resident GPU critic acquired a Gainward GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB retail specimen. At the time, NVIDIA caught plenty of flak—only GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB models were distributed to reviewers and influencers.



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[wNotyarD]

So in short, yes, there are some other global publications that are receiving 8 GB models for testing.

This explains the Brazilian review I read existing, while nothing on the global scenario. Shucks.

 

[freeagent]

Man.. this AMD stuff is like TEMU Nvidia.

 

[JustBenching]

Man.. this AMD stuff is like TEMU Nvidia.

Who would have thought huh?

 

[Hecate91]

Linus stirring up drama as usual, everyone else who is actually trustworthy and impartial received a card.
But I do find it interesting there is a news article of this but nothing was published about Nvidia not allowing any 5060 reviews on launch day. I get it AMD is chopped liver,lol.

 

[JustBenching]

Linus stirring up drama as usual, everyone else who is actually trustworthy and impartial received a card.
But I do find it interesting there is a news article of this but nothing was published about Nvidia not allowing any 5060 reviews on launch day. I get it AMD is chopped liver,lol.

W1zard didn't receive a card. Are you saying he isn't?

You haven't seen news about nvidia blocking reviews? What planet do you live on?

 

[dyonoctis]

Linus stirring up drama as usual, everyone else who is actually trustworthy and impartial received a card.
But I do find it interesting there is a news article of this but nothing was published about Nvidia not allowing any 5060 reviews on launch day. I get it AMD is chopped liver,lol.

So TPU and Gamer nexus aren't trustworthy ?

W1zard didn't receive a card. Are you saying he isn't?

You haven't seen news about nvidia blocking reviews? What planet do you live on?

"letting my bias take the better of me" an earth like planet 8 light years away.

 

[Hecate91]

So TPU and Gamer nexus aren't trustworthy ?

Did TPU ask for one? I didn't see GN mention anything about not getting an 8gb card in his 16gb review.

W1zard didn't receive a card. Are you saying he isn't?

You haven't seen news about nvidia blocking reviews? What planet do you live on?

Nope, I'm saying they aren't, I haven't seen where anyone reputable has said they were blocked from reviewing an 8gb 9060xt.

As for Nvidia blocking reviews, there weren't any news articles here, some user posted threads were even deleted. But I'm not surprised people are more vindictive when it comes to AMD, people think they're supposed to be the hero or something.

 

[JustBenching]

Did TPU ask for one? I didn't see GN mention anything about not getting an 8gb card in his 16gb review.

Nope, I'm saying they aren't, I haven't seen where anyone reputable has said they were blocked from reviewing an 8gb 9060xt.

As for Nvidia blocking reviews, there weren't any news articles here, some user posted threads were even deleted. But I'm not surprised people are more vindictive when it comes to AMD, people think they're supposed to be the hero or something.

Daniel Owen said he asked for one from every AIB and they said "nope, we are sending them to africa". LTT didn't receive one either. TPU apparently didn't as well.

Of course people are more vindictive towards AMD. You and people like you are the number 1 reason for that. You yap in our ears all year long about ngreedia - of course we are going to laugh our ass off when amd does the exact same thing. Who wouldn't?

 

[lexluthermiester]

Didn't see this coming from AMD. My guess is that they are just as irritated by the grief and drama from tech outlets as NVidia is. Can't blame them either. The needless and senseless negativity over 8GB models is effectively a linch-mob tactic. It's as obnoxious as it is pathetic.

 

[Dragokar]

They also did split up the reviews between curated and non-curated reviews with different NDAs.....

The non-test for an unknown NDA- When one manufacturer learns the wrong thing from another | igor´sLAB

Let’s break the whole thing down chronologically before someone gets upset again about supposedly suppressed content: I already made it clear last week that there is no right to samples – but there is…

www.igorslab.de

 

[Daven]

At this point, it might be necessary for us computer enthusiasts to just start ignoring some of the SKUs for different reasons from AMD, Nvidia and Intel. If and once MSRPs settle, I only see the following releases as viable cards this generation:

Intel Arc B580 12 GB $249
Radeon 9060XT 16 GB $349
Geforce 5060Ti 16 GB $429
Geforce 5070 12 GB $549
Radeon 9070XT 16 GB $599
Geforce 5070Ti 16 GB $749

Anything else is either too expensive or too close to another SKU of better value. The pending Intel Arc B700 series might also be considered if and when it ever releases.

 

[Hecate91]

Daniel Owen said he asked for one from every AIB and they said "nope, we are sending them to africa". LTT didn't receive one either. TPU apparently didn't as well.

Of course people are more vindictive towards AMD. You and people like you are the number 1 reason for that. You yap in our ears all year long about ngreedia - of course we are going to laugh our ass off when amd does the exact same thing. Who wouldn't?

HW Unboxed recieved an 8GB card "upon request". But they trashed on it anyway, so I would expect others would've gotten a card if they had asked for one. Also, according to HW Unboxed most of the 8GB models are going into prebuilt/OEM systems so the 8GB card can be mostly ignored.

Spoiler

People are more vindictive towards AMD because apparently Nvidia can do no wrong, no matter how severely they're damaging the PC gaming market with lies,cheating, and attempts at controlling the tech press. Using "you people" only confirms that you have double standards for AMD, and you yourself said reviewers were entitled to talk about not getting a 5060 for review, shouldn't it be the same case for AMD? Of course not though, AMD is supposed to hand out cards that the Nvidia mindshare which defended 8GB of VRAM on the 5060 would all bash on AMD for, who didn't block reviews entirely or didn't have an influencer campaign with paid previews.
I think that AMD shouldn't have sold an 8GB card at all, and should have sold the 9060XT as a 16GB 9060 non-XT for $329, it would really show how stupid the 5060 and 5060Ti are for having 8GB, especially at the price points Ngreedia wants to screw people over for, while making all the people who defended 8GB cards look silly as well.

 

[wNotyarD]

HW Unboxed recieved an 8GB card "upon request". But they trashed on it anyway, so I would expect others would've gotten a card if they had asked for one.

Well...

Post in thread 'Sapphire Radeon RX 9060 XT Nitro+ OC'

Thursday at 6:47 PM

W1zz, were you provided any review samples of the 8 GB model?

No, I asked. I just bought one today

• W1zzard

• 

 

[JustBenching]

People are more vindictive towards AMD because apparently Nvidia can do no wrong, no matter how severely they're damaging the PC gaming market with lies,cheating, and attempts at controlling the tech press. Using "you people" only confirms that you have double standards for AMD,

No, people are more vindictive towards amd cause of all that ngreedia going around. It's goddamn funny when the company people worship turns around and does the exact same thing, again and again.

 

[Recus]

AMD sending 290X "golden samples" to reviewers.
AMD not sending samples of Fury X.
AMD limiting/controlling reviews of 9060 8 GB.

 

[Hecate91]

Well...

Post in thread 'Sapphire Radeon RX 9060 XT Nitro+ OC'

Thursday at 6:47 PM

W1zz, were you provided any review samples of the 8 GB model?

No, I asked. I just bought one today

• W1zzard

• 

It sucks TPU didn't get one, but I guess AMD is fed up with reviewers as well, AMD doesn't have the mindshare to shield them from things like this though. It's weird how HW Unboxed managed to get one, but at least people can't call them "AMD Unboxed" anymore.
Although I am glad we did get to see a review of the 16GB card, which should've been the only card to sell.

 

[dyonoctis]

Did TPU ask for one? I didn't see GN mention anything about not getting an 8gb card in his 16gb review.

Nope, I'm saying they aren't, I haven't seen where anyone reputable has said they were blocked from reviewing an 8gb 9060xt.

As for Nvidia blocking reviews, there weren't any news articles here, some user posted threads were even deleted. But I'm not surprised people are more vindictive when it comes to AMD, people think they're supposed to be the hero or something.

What's this then?

NVIDIA Reportedly Limiting Press Access to GeForce RTX 5060 Drivers - Suggesting Late Arrival of Reviews

The Hardware Unboxed team has unleashed some of its sarcastic Aussie wit; in response to an alleged manipulation of GeForce RTX 5060 (non-Ti) review day conditions. In an online dig—directed at Team Green leadership—the Australian media outlet's social media account parodied NVIDIA new product...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[JustBenching]

What's this then?

NVIDIA Reportedly Limiting Press Access to GeForce RTX 5060 Drivers - Suggesting Late Arrival of Reviews

The Hardware Unboxed team has unleashed some of its sarcastic Aussie wit; in response to an alleged manipulation of GeForce RTX 5060 (non-Ti) review day conditions. In an online dig—directed at Team Green leadership—the Australian media outlet's social media account parodied NVIDIA new product...

www.techpowerup.com

Yeah like facts matter

 

[Hecate91]

What's this then?

NVIDIA Reportedly Limiting Press Access to GeForce RTX 5060 Drivers - Suggesting Late Arrival of Reviews

The Hardware Unboxed team has unleashed some of its sarcastic Aussie wit; in response to an alleged manipulation of GeForce RTX 5060 (non-Ti) review day conditions. In an online dig—directed at Team Green leadership—the Australian media outlet's social media account parodied NVIDIA new product...

www.techpowerup.com

I'm talking about articles on TPU, I thought what I said would've been clear enough. It seems like people are avoiding the question on purpose.

No, people are more vindictive towards amd cause of all that ngreedia going around. It's goddamn funny when the company people worship turns around and does the exact same thing, again and again.

Because Ngreedia has been way worse, with 90% of the market and an army of mindshare, what they're doing is actually damaging the market. But it is funny when the jacket worshipers only criticize AMD, not the company they'll happily support when they do much worse. IMO, it is unfortunate to see AMD copy Nvidia with their greedy anti-consumer tactics, hopefully Intel can compete in the dGPU market, because they're the only one left providing any sort of price/performance value while not trying to screw over consumers.

 

[wNotyarD]

Although I am glad we did get to see a review of the 16GB card, which should've been the only card to sell.

I digress. The 8GB card may be an absolute winner in poorer markets. It's a hefty performance upgrade over the previous generation and is priced squarely the same as the 5060 which performs worse. Would be even better if it was cheaper (well, the whole market could cost less, but that's daydreaming).

 

[JustBenching]

I'm talking about articles on TPU, I thought what I said would've been clear enough. It seems like people are avoiding the question on purpose.

That was an article on TPU that they linked you

Because Ngreedia has been way worse, with 90% of the market and an army of mindshare, what they're doing is actually damaging the market.

And this nonsense is exactly why people are laughing way harder when amd craps the bed. Posts like these make people not want to associate with amd.

 

[Macro Device]

The needless and senseless negativity over 8GB models

Huh? When there's a CLEAR gap between 8 GB and 16 GB in performance and the price of the former is so close to the latter it's absolutely sensible to criticise 8 GB models, both for AMD and for NV. Both companies don't serve us right selling 8 GB models for 300+ USD. This is too much performance lost (including texture quality loss) due to VRAM limitations and too much money asked for such crippled products. People clearly aren't mad enough since 300+ USD 8 GB cards are still happening.

Would've been completely fine if, say, 5060 was cut down for another 2 or 4 SM, its clocks had been dialed down a little bit and it became a sub-200 dollar SKU with a two-digit TDP. Then absolutely NO ONE except maybe for diehard haters would've minded that. Paying 300+ bucks for a GPU that forces you to go medium (or even low) settings in at least seven modern games has never been the case... until this generation.

And while we expect nVidia to do such things being an absolute market leader who can do whatever, AMD are in no position for doing zactly the same. Especially considering AMD GPUs run out of VRAM faster than the NV ones provided the game suite and settings is the same and the VRAM buffer is also the same. This 8 GB 9060 XT is effectively a 6500 XT Remastered.

 

[JustBenching]

And while we expect nVidia to do such things being an absolute market leader who can do whatever, AMD are in no position for doing zactly the same.

We need Tshirts with that. It needs to be printed on peoples brains. Nvidia isn't criticized as heavily because well, everyone expects the worst possible product that they can get away with.

 

[john_]

Prior to early May, the existence of AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB GDDR6 model seemed to be in question. Discerning graphics card buyers tend to opt for larger pools of VRAM.

Considering that Nvidia sells a gazillion of GPUs with 8GB VRAM thanks to brand recognition(5060 Ti is already in Steam database and I bet the 8GB model sells as well as the 16GB model), it would have been a mistake for AMD if there was no 8GB model in the market. The only way an 8GB model wouldn't exist in the market is if AMD was pricing the 16GB model at $299. What Intel did in other words offering 10GB and 12GB models at lower prices.

As for the restriction of the 8GB models, well it's not as bad as Nvidia's zero review samples. People can find reviews of 8GB models in tech sites and Youtube tech channels with millions of subscribers. There are reviews of 8GB models out for anyone considering buying an 8GB model to see and cancel their purchase or not. Of course been less bad is not good. But it's not strange that we are seeing these shenanigans from Nvidia and in a lesser degree from AMD. Tech press was sugarcoating/hiding under the carpet most bad stuff about Nvidia, or where reporting them with a "Nvidia promises a fix" or "Well, that's how things are anyway, deal with it people" or "This is bad Nvidia, you should be assamed. On other, completely unrelated news, DLSS is still your only option", for the last many years, while they where posting articles after articles with harsh words about AMD in every possible, or just imaginery, chance they got. When you give so many rights to Nvidia, at some point, Nvidia will take advantage of it. AMD will simply follow suit possing as the lesser of the two evils, making things even worst for the average consumer.