My PC has started freezing completely while the audio stutters, followed by a restart. I'm not sure whether the cause is the GPU, CPU, temperatures, power supply, drivers, or something else. My graphics card is an older GTX 1660 Ti that has never been overclocked, and the problem only began after I had owned it for several years. My system also has an Intel i7-8700K, 16GB of 2133MHz RAM, and plenty of SSD storage. I've already run antivirus scans and removed unnecessary programs, and I'm considering a system restore. If the GPU does turn out to be the problem, my budget is roughly $400 and I'd like at least 8GB of VRAM. I mainly play at 1080p and don't need more than 60 FPS. What cards would be good choices, either new or used?
4 Answers
For a roughly $400 budget, a used RTX 4060 or RX 6600-series card can handle 1080p at 60 FPS well. A newer RTX 5050-class card may also be worth considering if pricing is reasonable. I’d compare local prices and warranty coverage rather than automatically choosing the most expensive option. Also confirm your power supply has the appropriate connectors and enough capacity.
Your 16GB of 2133MHz memory is also worth investigating. Replacing it with a compatible 3200MHz DDR4 kit could improve minimum frame rates, although it probably won’t fix hard freezes by itself. Run a memory test, check the system event logs, reinstall the graphics driver cleanly, and test with another power supply if possible before assuming the graphics card has failed. The i7-8700K should still be adequate for 1080p/60 in many games, but CPU temperatures and stability should be checked.
Before replacing anything, check GPU and CPU temperatures, power-supply details, driver stability, and whether the system is actually crashing under load. An overlay such as RTSS or a hardware monitor can show GPU utilization, VRAM usage, temperatures, and clock behavior. If the GPU is not near full load when the freezes happen, it may not be the cause. Audio stuttering can also point to a CPU, driver, memory, or power issue.
An RX 6600 or similar modern entry-level card is generally enough for 1080p/60, while an RTX 4060 gives you better efficiency and features such as DLSS. Older cards like the GTX 1080 Ti can still perform well, but age, power consumption, and used-card condition make them harder to recommend unless the price is very low. Avoid buying solely based on VRAM; overall performance and driver support matter too.
A used RTX 3060 is another reasonable option if you find one at a good price, especially because the 12GB models provide plenty of VRAM for 1080p.