My RTX 3060 Ti is crashing with VIDEO_TDR_ERROR—should I replace it?

If you want the strongest AM4 gaming upgrade, a Ryzen 7 5800X3D is the usual high-end option, although it may be unnecessary for your current GPU choice. A 5600X3D can also make sense if it’s available at a good price. In most cases, though, putting the money toward the GPU first will provide the larger improvement.

If the 3060 Ti really has failed, a 4060 Ti doesn’t offer much of an upgrade, so it probably isn’t worth paying for unless the price is excellent. A Radeon RX 7700 XT would be a more noticeable step up and gives you more VRAM. Your 700W PSU should be adequate, and the Ryzen 5 5600 is generally fine for this level of GPU, so I wouldn’t rush to replace the CPU.

Don’t buy a replacement yet. VIDEO_TDR_ERROR can come from corrupted or unstable graphics drivers rather than a dead GPU. Boot into Safe Mode, use Display Driver Uninstaller to completely remove the NVIDIA driver, then reinstall a fresh driver. It’s also worth preventing Windows from automatically installing a display driver during the process. If the card works afterward, you may also want to test a mild undervolt with MSI Afterburner.

Depending on local prices, a used RTX 3080 could be a better value than buying another used 3060 Ti, especially if the difference is only around $100. Just check the card’s condition and make sure your power supply has the appropriate PCIe cables. The 700W unit may be sufficient, but the exact model and quality matter.