Why Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Review Controversy is a Must-Read for Gamers and Reviewers Alike

Nvidia is in hot water this week over its new graphics card, the GeForce RTX 5060. The company seems to have gone to great lengths to shape how it’s being reviewed. Typically, the 60-series cards are a favorite among gamers, but last year’s RTX 4060 faced a backlash. Critics slammed it, calling it a “slap in the face.” Nvidia appears determined not to repeat that with the 5060.

To control the narrative, Nvidia timed its launch for May 19, when many reviewers are busy at Computex in Taipei. Even if some reviewers had the GPU early, Nvidia withheld crucial drivers until the official release. Those drivers are necessary for proper testing.

Interestingly, Nvidia allowed select reviewers early access under strict conditions. They could test only specific games at 1080p and against older GPUs. Some reviewers felt pressured to produce favorable comparisons, leading to early reviews that showed the 5060 in a positive light.

But the reality is less rosy. Many independent reviews indicate that the 5060 often struggles to outperform older models, such as the RTX 3060 Ti and 3070. In some tests, it’s even bested by Intel’s cheaper B580 graphics card.

The fallout has led to further disputes. GamersNexus, a site known for its consumer advocacy, claimed Nvidia threatened to cut off their access to support unless they played along with its marketing strategy. This clash raises serious questions about trust between Nvidia and reviewers. It’s not typical for a company to record conversations for leverage, hinting at a deeper issue of integrity.

Nvidia insists it just wants to ensure customers have a smooth experience on launch day. Yet, by controlling review access so tightly, it risks alienating both the press and gamers eager for honest feedback.

Even more alarming, Nvidia’s focus on AI is shifting its priorities. The company now makes more profit from AI than from gaming, which represents only 10% of its revenue. This new reality might explain why Nvidia seems less concerned about its gaming reputation.

As a result, many gamers may reconsider purchasing the 5060 and instead look at alternatives like AMD’s upcoming cards. With Nvidia’s dominance under question, this could encourage more competition in the market, which could ultimately benefit consumers.

For those interested in reliable benchmarks, see GamersNexus’s report on the RTX 5060’s performance issues here and HardwareUnboxed’s review here.

This situation is an important reminder for consumers to do thorough research before making a purchase and for companies to maintain transparency to foster trust.

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