I'm getting low FPS even with fairly low graphics settings, and my GPU reaches 99% usage while gaming. I assume the GTX 1060 6GB is the main bottleneck, but I'm working with a limited budget and can't consider high-end cards. What affordable GPUs offer the best performance per dollar, especially for 1080p gaming? Are there any settings or hardware checks I should do first?
System:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500
RAM: 32GB DDR4-2133
GPU: GTX 1060 6GB
4 Answers
The RTX 3060 12GB is another sensible choice, especially if you want NVIDIA features and plenty of VRAM. An RTX 3060 Ti or RTX 3070 can also be good used options, but check the prices carefully since the 3070 only has 8GB of VRAM. A roughly 650W quality power supply would be a good target for the higher-performing cards.
A GPU sitting around 99% usage during games is usually normal—it means the graphics card is being fully utilized. For a strong budget upgrade, look for a used RX 6600 XT, RX 6700, or RX 6700 XT. The 6700 XT is particularly good if you can find one at a reasonable price and gives you more VRAM for newer games.
If your budget is very tight, an RX 6600 or RX 6600 XT is probably the best place to start. The RX 6600 is already a noticeable step up from the GTX 1060 and is efficient, while the 6700 XT is the better long-term choice if you can spend more. The exact recommendation depends heavily on local used prices.
Before buying anything, enable XMP or DOCP in the BIOS if it’s available. DDR4-2133 is quite slow for a Ryzen 5 5500, and faster memory could improve minimum FPS somewhat. It won’t turn the GTX 1060 into a modern card, but it’s a free performance check worth doing.
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