I've been saving up for a dedicated GPU for a while, with a budget of around $450 to $500. I'm considering options like the RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB or the RX 9060 XT. I also noticed an RTX 4070 within my price range but I'm questioning its value due to lower VRAM.
My current setup includes a B450M DS3H motherboard, a Ryzen 5 3400G CPU, 24GB of DDR4 RAM at 2400MT/s, a 1920x1080 monitor at 60Hz, and a 750W power supply. I'm worried that my current rig might not take full advantage of a new GPU.
For my uses, I mainly game with titles like Total War: Warhammer 3, heavily modded Skyrim and Fallout 4, Bannerlord, and Conan Exiles which are GPU intensive. RimWorld leans more on CPU usage, and I also want 16GB of VRAM for working with LLMs. I'm looking for a solution that will last me a couple of years without needing further upgrades. Any advice?
5 Answers
Getting the RX 9060 XT 16GB for about $340 and then upgrading to a Ryzen 5 5600 for around $135 sounds like a solid plan. Overclocking your RAM could also help boost performance. This combo would give you a balanced system without breaking the bank!
Absolutely! Investing in that combo seems like a smart move.
Honestly, I think grabbing a GPU is the better path, especially if you’re okay with waiting a bit longer for a CPU upgrade. Both 5060 Ti and 9060 XT can run high settings on your monitor and would definitely give you a noticeable improvement since you're currently using integrated graphics. CPU pricing should remain stable, plus there's always the option to upgrade later.
Just a reminder, there's never a perfect time to buy. Prices fluctuate constantly, and waiting usually means more delays.
Consider looking for a good bundle with a 7600X or 9600X plus RAM. Those setups are pretty decent!
Should I really look into more RAM? What type of bundle would you suggest?
Given your budget, I’d recommend the 9060 XT. It's the best value right now. Even if you can't fully utilize it immediately, it'll serve you well when you're ready to upgrade other parts. Your RAM could use a facelift, but I bet you'll get more out of a dedicated GPU first.
Is my RAM really that outdated? I thought it was decent for my current needs.
Yeah, AM4 is the CPU socket type. If that’s outdated, I get why you mentioned it could limit my options.
I totally agree! The RX 9060 XT and Ryzen 5500 would be a game changer compared to your iGPU.