I'm being offered a used ASRock Challenger RX 9060 XT OC 8GB in exchange for my ASUS ROG Strix RX 6600 XT OC 8GB plus €120. I know the 16GB version would be preferable, but this offer is specifically for the 8GB model. I mainly play at 1080p and don't play many AAA games or care much about ultra settings—I'm mostly looking for higher frame rates. My system has a Ryzen 7 5700X, 32GB of DDR4-3200 memory, and an AM4 motherboard. Is this a worthwhile upgrade, or should I keep the 6600 XT?
3 Answers
The offer seems reasonable because the 9060 XT is considerably newer than the 6600 XT. I’d still test it before trading and check temperatures, noise, performance, and whether the seller can provide proof of purchase or warranty coverage.
The motherboard and PCIe link speed are worth checking. An 8GB 9060 XT can be more sensitive to VRAM limits when running through PCIe 3.0, while PCIe 4.0 gives it more bandwidth. It may still be an upgrade on your B450 system, but the 8GB model is less attractive if you plan to keep the card for several years.
The board is a Gigabyte B450 Gaming revision 1.x, so it likely uses PCIe 3.0. I’ll factor that into the decision rather than assuming the newer GPU will perform at its full potential.
For only €120, it should provide a noticeable performance increase, especially at 1080p. Since you’re not focused on ultra settings or demanding AAA games, the 8GB of VRAM should be usable for your needs. I’d consider taking the deal, provided the card is working properly and has some warranty remaining.
My motherboard is a Gigabyte B450 Gaming, revision 1.x, so I’m also trying to determine whether PCIe 3.0 could affect the upgrade.