The 9060 XT has climbed to around £500, so I'm wondering what other graphics cards offer better performance at roughly the same price. I'm still fairly new to PC hardware, so I'd appreciate advice on the best options, including used cards if they make sense. If the 9060 XT is still the most sensible choice, I'm happy to stick with it.
4 Answers
The Intel Arc B580 is a much cheaper alternative and can handle a lot of 1440p gaming for under £300. It works well in many newer and older games, though performance is less consistent than the AMD options and it may require lowering settings in demanding titles. If you want the best performance near £500, the 9070 GRE or a good used 7800 XT is a better target.
If you can stretch to around £590, the RX 9070 is another option, especially if it includes a game bundle. After accounting for the value of the game, the effective price is closer to £530, and it gives you more performance and longevity than the 9060 XT.
For used cards, look for an RTX 4070 Super, RX 7700 XT, RX 7800 XT, or possibly an RTX 3080 Ti. The 4070 Super is a particularly sensible used option because of its efficiency and newer feature support. Check the card’s condition, remaining warranty, power requirements, and return protection before buying.
I’m open to buying used, so I’ll compare those options instead of limiting myself to new cards.
The RX 9070 GRE looks like one of the strongest choices around this budget. It’s only a little more than the 9060 XT in some shops but can be roughly 30% faster, making it a much better fit for 1440p. There are also occasional discounts and game bundles that improve the value.
I recently picked up a 9070 GRE for about £400 and it has been excellent. It handles most games comfortably at 1440p, and even 4K is playable with sensible settings.
That sounds very promising, thanks for the suggestion.
The B580 can do better than some people expect at 1440p. I’ve played games such as Forza Horizon 6, Indiana Jones, Helldivers 2, Elden Ring, Space Marine 2, and Jedi Survivor on it successfully, although the most demanding games may need reduced settings.