I'm looking for a graphics card that can handle games at a reasonable frame rate for less than $400. My main goal is to play Hollow Knight: Silksong comfortably, but I'd also like some performance headroom for other games. Should I buy new or used, and are there any compatibility concerns with my power supply, case, CPU, or motherboard?
4 Answers
A used RTX 3080 is one of the strongest options in this price range. Depending on your area and the card’s condition, 10GB models can sometimes be found around $280–$350. Just make sure your power supply has enough wattage and the card will fit in your case.
If Silksong is the main game you care about, you absolutely don’t need to spend $400. A used RTX 3060 Ti, GTX 1660 Ti, or a similar older card should be more than enough, and some GTX 1660 Ti cards can be found near $100. The game is designed to run on fairly modest hardware, so spending more would mainly be for other, more demanding games.
For a new card, an Intel Arc B580 or a discounted RTX 5060 Ti or RX 9060 XT could be worth considering. The B580 is particularly interesting for the price, but check performance and driver support for the specific games you play. I’d avoid paying around $300 for an RTX 5050 when faster alternatives may be available.
Before choosing a GPU, share your current CPU, power supply, motherboard, case size, and existing graphics card. Silksong may not need a discrete GPU at all, and a weak CPU could be the limiting factor. Older used cards such as an RX 580, RTX 2060, RTX 2080, or RTX 3060 Ti can be good values, but the power requirements and physical size vary a lot.
The listed recommended graphics hardware is around GTX 1050-level performance, so even a 1660 Ti would be considerable overkill for Silksong.