I recently built a basic gaming PC for my 10-year-old with an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. He has an Oculus and really wants to play Gorilla Tag and some games on Steam. I understand that I need to add a graphics card for better performance. Since this is a Christmas gift and I'm on a budget, I'm looking for a decent, affordable starter graphics card. Ideally, I'd like to spend less than $200 and I'm open to used options. I hope to upgrade this setup in the future, but for now, I just need something that works well for casual gaming.
4 Answers
Based on your budget and goal for decent gaming, I suggest aiming for something like a GTX 1650 too. It's not super powerful, but it's solid for beginner gamers and often available for under $200. Plus, it's easier on the wallet if you're a single parent!
If you're set on keeping it cheap, how about looking into a brand new GPU like the 5060? It might not break the bank and still give decent performance for casual gaming!
For a budget-friendly option, you could consider the RTX 3050 or the RX 6600. If you're open to used graphics cards, you might find a good deal on an RTX 3060, which could save you quite a bit of cash. Just make sure whichever card you choose fits in your PC and is compatible with the power supply!
What exact model of the Intel Core i5 do you have? Also, is the 1TB storage an SSD or HDD? Knowing your exact setup will help narrow down the best graphics card options.
It's not an SSD, just a standard HDD. I'm not sure of the specific i5 model, but I'll check!
Yeah, used cards can be a great way to go! Just check that they're in good condition before you buy.