The launch of Nvidia’s highly anticipated GeForce RTX 5060 has been marred by controversy, as critics accuse the tech giant of tightly controlling early reviews to suppress unfavorable benchmarks. Leading the charge is popular YouTube tech channel Hardware Unboxed, which slammed Nvidia in a scathing 20-minute video analysis, claiming the company’s restrictive embargo practices undermine transparency and consumer trust.
According to leaked benchmarks published by Gamestar, the RTX 5060 shows modest gains over its predecessor, the RTX 4060, in rasterized gaming performance. However, early adopters hoping for a generational leap were disappointed, with tests revealing just a 15-20% improvement in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2 at 1440p. The card’s ray tracing capabilities, while enhanced, still struggle to maintain stable frame rates without DLSS 3.5, as noted in a detailed preview by Gamerant.
The backlash intensified when Hardware Unboxed revealed that Nvidia required reviewers to sign strict embargo agreements prohibiting criticism of the card’s 8GB VRAM buffer or its price-to-performance ratio. “This isn’t about protecting trade secrets—it’s about sanitizing criticism,” the channel argued in their video critique, which has since gone viral. They highlighted how outlets like GSM Go Tech received early samples but conspicuously avoided discussing the VRAM limitations, instead focusing on features like DLSS Frame Generation and the new “Seraphim” cooling design.
Industry watchdogs have echoed these concerns, noting that Nvidia’s tactics mirror past controversies, such as the RTX 4070 Ti’s muted reception. Meanwhile, the RTX 5060’s $399 MSRP has drawn skepticism, with critics pointing to AMD’s competing RDNA 4 offerings as better value propositions. For now, the card remains available for pre-order on Amazon, though consumer sentiment appears divided.
As the debate rages, one thing is clear: Nvidia’s iron grip on early coverage risks alienating its enthusiast base. With the RTX 5060’s official launch just days away, the company faces mounting pressure to address transparency concerns—or risk ceding ground to rivals.
*For deeper dives, check out Gamestar’s benchmark analysis here, Gamerant’s preview here, and Hardware Unboxed’s full critique here. Technical specs are available via GSM Go Tech, and the RTX 5060 can be pre-ordered here.*
This article synthesizes reporting from multiple sources and does not reflect endorsement of any product or viewpoint.
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