I'm in the process of building my first gaming PC and I still need to pick a GPU. Initially, I thought about going for a used one, but I've realized that's a bit risky. So now I'm considering buying a new GPU instead. My budget for the GPU is a maximum of $300. Here are the details of my build:
- **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 7 5700
- **RAM:** Kingston FURY 16GB KIT DDR4
- **PSU:** DEEPCOOL PF750 (750W)
- **MOBO:** ASUS TUF GAMING B550-PLUS WIFI II
What would you recommend?
6 Answers
You might want to consider going for a better CPU if you're serious about gaming. The Ryzen 5700 non-X has less cache than its X counterparts, which can slow things down. For your GPU under $300, look for a used RTX 3080 if you can find one at that price—it's a powerhouse!
Check out Tom's Hardware GPU hierarchy chart—it gives a good overview of GPU performance! It might help you figure out which one suits your needs best.
While you're asking about GPUs, here's a tip: If you're a first-timer, it might be a good idea to practice on an old junker PC first. You can usually find one for under $50. You don't want to make mistakes with a fancy $1,000 build!
That's some solid advice! When I built my first PC, I was super anxious. I spent around $3500, and it was nerve-wracking. There was a moment when my BIOS didn’t recognize my SSD, and I freaked out. Turns out, it just needed a BIOS update. If I'd practiced on a cheaper setup, I would have felt way more confident!.
For sure! But honestly, spending $1,000 isn’t outrageous. What really worries me are those newbies who jump in wanting to spend $2,000 or $3,000 right off the bat.
Before you buy anything, have you checked out PCPartPicker? It can help you keep track of your build. As for used GPUs, I think they're not as big of a gamble as you might think. Just be wary of where you buy from! Also, what's your total budget including all parts?
Yeah, I've already bought my CPU. Ideally, I'd like to keep it under $710 for everything.
Have you heard of the 9060 XT 8GB? That’s a solid option! There's also the 5060. Those should fit your budget and work well with your setup.
Your 16GB of RAM might be fine for now, but keep in mind that you'll likely want to upgrade to 32GB soon. Nowadays, games and apps can eat up RAM pretty quickly! I’m already using around 25GB just with Steam, Discord, and a couple of Chrome tabs along with a game.
Here's a link to the chart if you need it: [Tom's Hardware GPU Hierarchy](https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html#section-rasterization-gpu-benchmarks-2026). It’s super helpful!