MSI has introduced four new GeForce RTX 5060 graphics cards that come with one major difference from its earlier models. Instead of using NVIDIA‘s GB206 graphics chip, these new versions are built with the GB205 chip.
The GB206 chip is normally used in the GeForce RTX 5060 and GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, with up to 4,608 CUDA cores. The GB205 chip is the one NVIDIA uses in the GeForce RTX 5070, which can have up to 6,400 CUDA cores.
NVIDIA appears to be making use of GB205 chips that have several defective SM units. These chips cannot be used for the GeForce RTX 5070, which features 6,144 CUDA cores, but they can still be used for the GeForce RTX 5060 with 3,840 CUDA cores. This is a long-standing strategy used by both NVIDIA and AMD to reduce manufacturing costs and make use of as many chips as possible.
MSI’s New GeForce RTX 5060 Models Switch to the GB205 GPU
Even though these four new graphics cards use the GB205 GPU, their specifications remain unchanged. They still include 3,840 CUDA cores, a 128-bit memory bus, and 8 GB of GDDR7 memory, which has been one of the most criticized features of the RTX 5060.
The MSI GAMING OC V1 model has one noticeable change compared to the earlier GB206 version. Its boost clock has been reduced from 2,625 MHz to 2,497 MHz. In return, its Total Graphics Power (TGP) has dropped from 155 watts to 150 watts.
The Ventus 2X models keep the same specifications, clock speeds, and 145-watt TGP as before.
MSI has not announced pricing for these new graphics cards, and the company has also not confirmed their exact release date.
