I have $580 left from a work bonus that I'd like to put toward a GPU upgrade. My main workstation has an i7-13700K, RX 7800 XT, and 64GB of DDR4-3200, while my TV gaming PC has an i5-14600, RX 6700 10GB, and 32GB of DDR4-3200.
The TV PC still runs most games well at 1080p high settings, but the RX 6700 is beginning to struggle in newer titles. My usual upgrade strategy is to upgrade the workstation first and then move its older parts into the TV PC. I originally considered buying an RX 9070 XT for the workstation and moving the RX 7800 XT into the TV system, but I'm not comfortable spending more than about $600 on a graphics card.
The RX 9070 GRE is available for around $499, but it only has 12GB of VRAM. The RX 9070 has 16GB, though it costs closer to $600 or more. Since I mostly play at 1080p and only occasionally use 1440p, would 12GB remain adequate for the next four years, or would it be wiser to save and wait for a better deal on a 16GB card? I'd ideally like the eventual upgrade to last until around 2030.
4 Answers
At 1080p high settings, 12GB should be usable for quite a while, and the RX 9070 GRE would be a substantial upgrade over the RX 6700. I wouldn’t expect every new game to run maximum textures through 2030, but you can usually reduce texture quality or a few demanding settings without replacing the card. I’d consider it if it’s close in price to other 16GB midrange options; otherwise, save for the 16GB RX 9070.
I’d probably wait rather than upgrade immediately. The RX 7800 XT is still a strong card, and moving it into the TV PC would be a meaningful improvement whenever you eventually replace it. Buying a roughly $500 card now may not feel worthwhile if neither system has a serious problem yet.
A 16GB RX 9060 XT or RTX 5060 Ti could also make sense if you want to avoid the 12GB concern. They may not be as fast as the GRE, but the extra VRAM is useful for longevity. Still, if your RX 6700 is handling your games today, waiting for a better sale is probably the safest choice.
If the RX 9070 is only a little more expensive in your area, I’d choose that over the GRE. The extra VRAM gives it a better chance of remaining comfortable over the long term, especially if you start using higher textures or 1440p. A price around $629 is a much easier recommendation than paying full high-end pricing, though.
The GRE is currently around $499 in some stores, with additional discounts available, so the value is much better if you can actually get it at that price.