Launch MSRPs, release cycles and deals windows as of November 9, 2026.
The NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti (RTX 4000) and NVIDIA RTX 5050 (RTX 5000) come from different NVIDIA generations, released 2 years 2 months apart. The RTX 4060 Ti has since been superseded by the NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti. The RTX 4060 Ti is classed Mid-range and the RTX 5050 Budget. Against the RTX 4060 Ti, the RTX 5050 costs $200 less at launch MSRP ($249 vs $449, 45% cheaper), has 8 GB less VRAM (8 GB vs 16 GB) and draws 35W less at rated TDP (130W vs 165W).
This GPU is no longer the current generation. It has been replaced by the NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti.
Superseded by RTX 5060 Ti
Best for: Budget 1440p gamers who find the 16GB variant well below $250 used — at any higher price the RTX 5060 Ti is the better choice.
Full details →First-generation product — no release history to base predictions on
Best for: Budget 1080p gamers committed to NVIDIA's ecosystem who want DLSS 4 at the lowest possible price — value shoppers should also compare the Intel Arc B580 at the same $249.
Full details →| NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti | NVIDIA RTX 5050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Mid-range | Budget |
| Generation | RTX 4000 | RTX 5000 |
| VRAM | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| TDP | 165W | 130W |
| Upscaling | DLSS3 | DLSS4 |
| Ray Tracing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Launch MSRP | $449 | $249 |
| Editor score | 7.3/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Released | May 24, 2023 | Jul 31, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~693 days | — |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Caution |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Caution |
| Successor | RTX 5060 Ti | — |
The 16GB model avoids the 8GB limitation that plagued the base model — still relevant for 1440p gaming.
Very low power draw — works with virtually any modern PSU.
With GDDR7, DLSS 4 and a $429 MSRP, the RTX 5060 Ti is the clear choice for new buyers — new 4060 Ti 16GB units cost around $630–$640 as of October 2026.
The most affordable desktop GPU with Blackwell's AI-powered Multi Frame Generation — substantial FPS uplift at 1080p in supported titles.
The lowest TDP in the desktop RTX 5000 lineup — no PSU upgrade required for most systems with a 500W+ supply.
Fills the gap below the RTX 5060 for buyers who want a current-generation NVIDIA card at the lowest entry price.
Released May 24, 2023, the RTX 4060 Ti has been on the market for 3 years 5 months. It has been superseded by the NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti, which launched Apr 16, 2025, so it's no longer a current-generation buy — new stock is clearance, and the rest of the market is second-hand.
Released Jul 31, 2025, the RTX 5050 has been on the market for 15 months. We have no previous release cycle on record for this line and no successor on our radar, so there's no projected replacement date — the timing signal stays at Caution.
On timing, the RTX 5050 is the only current-generation option of the two (Caution), while the RTX 4060 Ti is a clearance or used purchase.
At launch MSRP the RTX 5050 is $200 cheaper than the RTX 4060 Ti ($249 vs $449, 45% less). Per gigabyte of VRAM that's $28.1 for the RTX 4060 Ti and $31.1 for the RTX 5050 — the RTX 4060 Ti gives more memory for the money. Launch MSRP is only a reference point for a superseded card; its real price is whatever clearance or used stock sells for today.
RTX 4060 Ti (deals window to Jun 30, 2027, rated Wait): No clearance — scarce new 16GB units sell around $630–$640 as of October 2026, roughly 40% above the $449 MSRP. Do not buy new; only consider used units well below $200.
RTX 5050 (deals window to Dec 5, 2026, rated Caution): Black Friday / Cyber Monday 2026 — usually the best annual GPU deals, but analysts do not expect memory supply to normalise before late 2027, so discounts are unlikely to reach the $249 MSRP. Only buy at or near MSRP.
Next on the deals calendar: for the RTX 5050, New Year clearance 2027, from Jan 2, 2027 to Jan 20, 2027.
Our pick: NVIDIA RTX 5050
Our pick is the RTX 5050: it's the current-generation card here, while the RTX 4060 Ti has been superseded by the NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti, and it also costs $200 less at launch MSRP ($249 vs $449) and draws 35W less at rated TDP (130W vs 165W).
Go for the RTX 4060 Ti instead if you want more VRAM: 16 GB vs 8 GB, or if you want the most VRAM per dollar: $28.1 vs $31.1 per GB at launch MSRP.
Buy/Wait and deals ratings come from release-cycle and pricing data, not benchmarks. How we rate →
Where they're level: memory type (GDDR6).