I'm in a bit of a bind trying to decide between two graphics cards since I can't order from online stores due to shipping costs. I can only get these options locally: the Gigabyte RTX 3060 with 12GB for $376.15, or the MSI Ventus 2X RTX 5060 with 8GB for $409.17. Which one do you think is the better choice?
3 Answers
It's a tough call! The RTX 3060 with 12GB of VRAM is still a solid choice, especially for games that need more VRAM. However, the newer RTX 5060 is generally more powerful in performance, just with less memory. If you're playing titles that really push VRAM usage, the 3060 might edge it out, but otherwise, the 5060 could serve you better in demanding scenarios without the VRAM bottleneck.
Honestly, I'd recommend not going for an 8GB GPU nowadays, especially if you want it to last. If you can find a 9060XT with 16GB, that would be the smart choice, but if you're sticking to these two, the 5060 might still perform better overall despite its lower VRAM.
If you can stretch your budget by just $50 more, look into the 16GB 5060 Ti. It’s a much better investment for the future. Definitely worth checking places like MSI's website for availability! Just remember to grab one labeled 'OC' for overclocking benefits.
Yeah, I saw there's a 16GB version of the 5060, but it costs around $700, which is way outside my budget for this upgrade.