I need to build a PC soon for college projects and would like to keep the total budget around $900–$1,000. Because DDR5 memory is currently expensive, I'm leaning toward a DDR4 system if it offers better value. My main workloads will be video editing, programming, and Blender, with gaming as a secondary use. I mostly play esports titles now, but I'd also like enough performance to try some AAA games. I can currently get an RTX 3060 12GB for about $430 or an RTX 5060 8GB for around $580. Which would be the better choice, or is there another graphics card I should consider? I'm located in India, where local store pricing and warranties may affect the options.
2 Answers
Before choosing between the two Nvidia cards, check the local prices for the RX 9060 XT 16GB and RX 9070 GRE. In this price range, the 9060 XT may offer better overall value than the RTX 5060, particularly because 16GB of VRAM is more useful for Blender, editing, and newer games. If it costs roughly the same as the 5060, it would be the more appealing option.
I’d avoid the RTX 5060 at that price. If available for a similar cost, an RX 9060 XT with 16GB of VRAM would be a stronger fit, especially for Blender, editing, and future AAA games. The extra VRAM should also age better than an 8GB card. A DDR4 setup with a Ryzen 5 5600X and 32GB of memory—two 16GB sticks—would be a reasonable starting point.
Thanks! I’ll check the 9060 XT pricing at local stores. I also need to find a suitable monitor and compare the warranty options.
I usually buy from offline shops because their in-store warranty is convenient. I checked the 9060 XT, and it appears to cost about the same as the RTX 5060, so I’ll compare the full build prices before deciding.