Game Science, the developer behind the highly anticipated action RPG "Black Myth: Wukong," has released a free benchmark tool on Steam for its upcoming game. This standalone application, separate from the main game, allows PC users to evaluate their hardware performance and system compatibility in preparation for the game's launch. The "Black Myth: Wukong Benchmark Tool" offers a unique glimpse into the game's visuals by rendering a real-time in-game sequence. While not playable, it provides valuable insights into how well a user's system will handle the game's demanding graphics and performance requirements. One of the tool's standout features is its customization options. Users can tweak various graphics settings to preview the game's visuals and performance under different configurations. This flexibility allows gamers to find the optimal balance between visual fidelity and smooth gameplay for their specific hardware setup.

However, Game Science has cautioned that due to the complexity and variability of gaming scenarios, the benchmark results may not fully represent the final gaming experience. This caveat shows the tool's role as a guide rather than a definitive measure of performance. The benchmark tool's system requirements offer a clear picture of the hardware needed to run "Black Myth: Wukong." At a minimum, users will need a Windows 10 system with an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 8 GB graphics card. For an optimal experience, the recommended specifications include an Intel Core i7-9700 or AMD Ryzen 5 5500 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, or Intel Arc A750 graphics card. Interestingly, the benchmark tool supports DLSS, FSR, and XeSS technologies, indicating that the final game will likely include these performance-enhancing features. The developers also strongly recommend using an SSD for storage.

GIGABYTE today rolled out a trio of custom-design graphics cards that implement the new GDDR5X memory equipped variant of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB. The lineup begins with the GTX 1060 6 GB D5X WindForce 2X OC (model: GV-N1060WF2OC-6GD 2.0), and goes on to the better-endowed GTX 1060 6 GB D5X WindForce 3X OC (GV-N1060WF3OC-6GD 2.0), and the range-topping GTX 1060 6 GB D5X G1.Gaming OC (GV-N1060G1 GAMING-6GD 3.0).

Out of the box, the D5X WindForce 2X OC offers clock speeds of 1556 MHz GPU core, and 1771 MHz GPU Boost, against NVIDIA-reference speeds of 1506/1708 MHz. The D5X WindForce 3X OC has the same exact clock speeds out of the box, but is endowed with a better WindForce 3X triple-fan cooler that helps sustain boost frequencies and manually overclocked speeds better. The D5X G1.Gaming tops the range with 1594 MHz core and 1809 MHz GPU Boost. Sadly all three cards run the GDDR5X memory at 8.00 GHz clock speeds. All three cards make do with a single 8-pin PCIe power input. Prices (MSRP) range from $249.99 for the WindForce 2X OC to $269.99 for the WindForce 3X OC, and $299.99 for the G1.Gaming OC.

ZOTAC began rolling out its first refreshed GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB graphics cards that feature the more advanced GDDR5X memory, dubbed GTX 1060 6 GB G5X Destroyer. Since NVIDIA is carving out this RX 590-rivaling SKU from the larger GP104 silicon, ZOTAC appears to be using the same PCB as its GTX 1080 Mini, with 2/8 memory traces blanked out. The GP104 silicon is configured with the same 1,280 CUDA cores, 80 TMUs, 48 ROPs, and 192-bit wide memory interface as the GP106-based original, but with 6 GB of GDDR5X memory, albeit clocked at the same 8 GHz.

The card sticks to NVIDIA reference clock speeds of 1506 MHz core, 1708 MHz GPU Boost, and 8.00 GHz memory clock, although the 10 Gbps-rated GDDR5X memory chips could come with vast overclocking headroom. The card draws power from a single 8-pin PCIe power connector. Display outputs include three DisplayPorts, and one each HDMI and DVI-D. Although the card physically features SLI-HB fingers, ZOTAC clarifies that SLI is not supported for this SKU.

MSI rolled out one of the many upcoming silently-launched GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB graphics cards to feature the more advanced GDDR5X memory. NVIDIA is designing this SKU to compete with AMD's recently launched Radeon RX 590. Its specifications are very similar to those of the original GTX 1060 6 GB, but GDDR5X lends additional overclocking headroom. NVIDIA is carving this SKU out of the larger GP104 silicon, instead of GP106. You still only get 1,280 CUDA cores, 80 TMUs, 48 ROPs, and a 192-bit wide memory interface.

The MSI Armor OC ships with 1544 MHz GPU clocks, with 1759 MHz GPU Boost frequencies, compared to 1506/1709 MHz reference clock speeds. This factory-overclock is identical to the one the company's original GP106-based Armor OCV1 card ships with. The memory, surprisingly remains at 8.00 GHz, even though we suspect 10 Gbps-rated GDDR5X memory chips are being used in this card. The card draws power from a combination of 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe power connectors. The company's GTX 1060 6 GB Armor OCV1 graphics card only features a single 8-pin. Apparently you get SLI support. The company didn't reveal pricing.

NVIDIA is rushing in a new variant of its GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB graphics card to counter AMD's Radeon RX 590, in a bid to reinforce the $250 price-point ahead of the crucial Holiday season. According to specifications of the GTX 1060 6 GB GDDR5X put out by Palit, the GDDR5X version is a little more than a marketing stunt, with something in there for overclockers. The GTX 1060 GamingPro OC+ from Palit is by no means a "baseline" product. It features 6 GB of GDDR5X memory, which ticks at 8800 MHz (GDDR5X effective), and continues to have a 192-bit wide memory interface. At this speed, the GPU ends up with 211.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Of course, this story is incomplete without context. Back in 2017, NVIDIA refreshed the GTX 1060 6 GB with 9 Gbps GDDR5 memory (216 GB/s). That variant, although available in some places, isn't the predominant GTX 1060 6 GB variant, as NVIDIA did not retire the original 8 Gbps GTX 1060 6 GB with its launch. This new GDDR5X variant comes with even lower memory clock and bandwidth than that 9 Gbps refresh. The card still only has 1,280 CUDA cores, and the GPU is factory-overclocked by Palit at 1531 MHz core, and 1746 MHz GPU Boost. At best, GDDR5X could vastly improve overclocking headroom, since NVIDIA's partners could be using 10 Gbps-rated GDDR5X chips, which are known to overclock well beyond 11 Gbps.

(Update: Apparently, this isn't an EVGA-exclusive campaign; as it has been noted in the comments, NVIDIA themselves have launched a page with this same promotion and conditions for the free copy of Monster Hunter: World. It appears EVGA just added its own branding to an NVIDIA and partner-wide promotion).

EVGA has just announced a promotion where users that buy qualifying 10-series NVIDIA graphics cards (EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti, 1070, or 1060 6 GB) can get a digital copy of Monster Hunter: World for free. Monster Hunter: World released to critical and consumer acclaim not that many months ago, and was received quite well in our own performance review. The game doesn't incorporate any of the 20-series exclusive RTX graphics effects and raytracing processing, so an offering with the 10-series cards isn't a bad deal - especially as it's likely to help move volume of the previous-gen cards quicker along EVGA's warehouses.