My current PC has a GTX 970 OC 4GB, an Intel i5-11600K, 16GB of DDR4-3200 memory, and a 1440p 200Hz LG UltraGear monitor. The most demanding games I play are Hell Let Loose and Baldur's Gate 3. Baldur's Gate 3 is playable at 1080p but does not look great, while Hell Let Loose struggles even at 1080p. I'm fairly sure the graphics card needs to be replaced, but I'm wondering whether the i5-11600K is also holding me back. I'm on a budget and would consider buying used. I found a used MSI RTX 2060 Super Ventus GP OC listed for about $150 CAD, although the listing incorrectly says it has 6GB of VRAM—the Super model should have 8GB. What would be the minimum GPU you'd recommend for decent 1440p performance and around 60 FPS? I'm also considering newer cards such as the RTX 5060 or RX 9060 XT, with a possible budget of around $700 CAD if I wait and save. My power supply is a Cooler Master 750W.
4 Answers
For a solid 1440p experience around 60 FPS, I’d look at used cards such as an RTX 2070 Super, RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070, or something newer in that performance range. The 2060 Super would still be a major improvement over the GTX 970, but you may need medium settings, upscaling, or reduced effects in demanding games. The 3070 performs well, although its 8GB VRAM can become a limitation in newer titles.
Buying used is reasonable if you can test the card and verify its condition. Around $400 CAD, a used RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070, RTX 4060, or RTX 2070 Super could be worth considering depending on local prices. If you save for a new card, compare actual game benchmarks rather than focusing only on the memory-generation label. The Ti designation generally indicates a faster GPU, while extra VRAM can help with texture settings and future games; an 8GB card may be fine now, but 16GB gives more breathing room at 1440p.
Monitor your hardware while playing. If the GPU is near 100% usage and the CPU has plenty of headroom, that confirms the graphics card is the problem. Since your CPU is not currently maxing out, replacing it would be a poor use of a limited budget. A 750W power supply should be sufficient for most of the cards being discussed, assuming it is in good condition and has the required power connectors.
The i5-11600K is still a capable gaming CPU, so I would upgrade the graphics card first. At 1440p, your GTX 970 is very likely the main limitation, while the CPU should pair reasonably well with cards around the RTX 5060 Ti or RX 9060 XT class. Just confirm that the used 2060 Super is really the 8GB model, since a normal RTX 2060 can have 6GB. Also make sure your memory is actually running at DDR4-3200; 1600MHz is the reported clock speed, while the effective transfer rate is 3200 MT/s.
That makes sense. I’m considering saving for a newer RTX 5060 or RX 9060 XT, but I’m unsure whether the Ti version or the 16GB model is worth the extra cost. I also noticed an RX 9060 XT 8GB and an RTX 5060 8GB selling for nearly the same price, so I’m wondering how much the newer memory type matters.
I checked both games and the GPU usage was basically maxed out while the CPU looked fine. I’ll keep watching for used RTX 2070 Super, RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070, or RTX 4060 deals since they appear and sell quickly.