Hi everyone! I'm putting together my first PC build after using a laptop for the past 7 years. My laptop has a 1060Ti Max Q, and while it has served me well, I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm looking to play games like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Overwatch 2, and Hogwarts Legacy, so I'd like something that will last a few years. I've already chosen my CPU (AMD 7800X3D) and motherboard (MSI PRO B650M-B), but I'm torn between the RTX 5070 and the 9060XT. I've found a solid build with the 5070 for $1700, but I can get a build with the 9060XT that has a 2TB SSD and 32GB RAM for $1505. The problem is, $1700 stretches my budget a bit, especially since I still need to get a monitor and keyboard. As a med student, I don't game excessively—maybe 2 hours a day during the week and a bit more on weekends. I'm unsure if I'd fully utilize the 5070 based on my gaming habits. Any advice?
4 Answers
You might want to think about downgrading from the 7800X3D—consider something like a 7600X with a 9070XT or 5070 Ti for a better overall experience. Plus, your peripherals need some budget too! If you can find a 7500F, that could be a great addition as well.
Just to give you a heads-up, the 5070 generally performs about 18% better than the 9060XT. However, it does have less memory, which matters more at higher resolutions. I personally use the 9060XT at 1080p, and it runs smoothly even with ray tracing, usually over 60fps. I'd recommend checking out benchmark videos on the games you want to play to see what fits your needs best.
If you're considering the RTX 5070, I suggest looking into the 5070 Ti, which comes with 16GB. More VRAM like that will keep you future-proof. But if you're trying to save some cash, the 5060 Ti is also a solid option—just a bit more affordable with decent performance. Have you checked out comparisons between those models?
Thanks a ton! I've been diving into comparisons between the 5060 Ti and the 9060XT. Do you think the performance difference is worth the extra cash?
If you're someone who appreciates Nvidia's features—like DLSS and overall long-term support—the 5070 might be the way to go. It's definitely a stronger card. However, for the kind of gaming you're looking to do, either option will serve you just fine. Just make sure to weigh the benefits of those Nvidia perks when deciding!
That's a good point! I keep going back and forth between Nvidia and AMD. Is there really a big difference between DLSS and FSR?
That makes sense! The $200 difference is tough, especially since the 9060XT seems like it'll meet my needs. Have you noticed any frame drops at higher resolutions or with ray tracing?