On June 5, 2025, a new option entered the market that could be a game-changer for those of us looking for realistic performance without breaking the bank: the RX 9060 XT, AMD’s most affordable GPU based on the RDNA4 architecture—fully compatible with FSR4.
The RX 9060 XT comes in two configurations: 8 GB for $299 and 16 GB for $349. In Europe, this roughly translates to $320–330 for the base model and under $400 for the 16 GB version—which is the one I truly recommend for setups running at 1440p or higher.
For titles like iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione , or Automobilista 2 , where consistent frame rates are essential, having extra VRAM makes a significant difference—especially if you use mods, 4K content, or a triple-monitor layout.
Specs That Matter
The RX 9060 XT features a Navi 44 chip with 2048 stream processors, a 128-bit memory bus, and GDDR6 memory. While its memory bandwidth is lower than NVIDIA’s due to the lack of GDDR7, AMD makes up for it by offering 16 lanes of PCIe 5.0 compared to only 8 on competing cards. This is crucial if you’re using an older motherboard with PCIe 3.0, which is common in many pre-built sim rigs.
In synthetic benchmarks like Time Spy, the RX 9060 XT outperforms the 5060 Ti by up to 20% at 4K. But what really matters for us is how it behaves in real racing sims. On DirectX 12 titles like Automobilista 2 and Raceroom, the card offers smooth performance at 1440p, and in iRacing, it consistently hits 120+ FPS at high settings.
If you’re gaming on triple-monitor setups or VR, the 16 GB version is basically a necessity. The 8 GB version may become a bottleneck quickly in those scenarios.
FSR4: A Clear Win for Racing Sims
FSR4 adds a lot of value. With its integration of AI-enhanced upscaling and frame generation, the improvement is tangible in racing contexts where every frame counts. Ghosting and artifacts—common issues when you’re racing at 300 km/h—are greatly reduced. If you’re using ultrawide screens or projection systems, this kind of image fidelity is a real plus.
Although AMD has improved its ray tracing performance with RDNA4, it’s not a game-changer in simracing. Titles like ACC use it modestly, and most of us would trade a few reflections for rock-solid FPS. That said, the RX 9060 XT does hold its own if you enjoy AAA games outside your rig.
With a power draw of 170–175 W, this card runs perfectly fine on a standard 650W PSU. Even better, without overclocking, some models hit over 3.3 GHz out of the box—excellent for maintaining smooth frame pacing in demanding racing titles.
Bonus: it only needs a single traditional 8-pin connector, great for compact or simplified rig setups.
My Simracer Verdict
Would I recommend this GPU for simracing in 2025? Absolutely—but only the 16 GB version. If you’re running 1440p, VR, or triple monitors, you need that memory. If the price difference stays under $50, there’s no debate. The RX 9060 XT 16 GB is the best choice in the $300–400 range.
AMD made smart moves: full PCIe 5.0 x16 support, cutting-edge FSR4 technology, and a product that performs. Drivers and availability will play a role, but for now, if someone asked me what GPU to get for simracing on a budget… I’d put this one in the cart with confidence.
Happy Racing!
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