I'm building my first PC and could use advice on choosing a graphics card. I'll be keeping my 27-inch 1440p monitor with a 180Hz refresh rate. Overwatch is my main competitive game, and I'd like around 120 FPS using low settings. I also play single-player games such as Resident Evil, Persona, Cyberpunk 2077, and various indie games. For those, I'm happy with 60 FPS and good visual quality, and ray tracing isn't important to me. I'm mainly looking for strong performance and decent visuals. What graphics cards should I consider, and how does my power supply affect the choice?
5 Answers
For a lower-cost new build, I’d look at the RX 9060 XT 16GB. I’d try to avoid choosing an 8GB card for a new 1440p system if possible, since newer games are increasingly demanding more video memory. Used options can be worthwhile too, but compare prices and condition carefully.
If your budget allows, the RX 9070 or 9070 XT would give you more headroom for demanding 1440p games and should last longer. The final recommendation depends on your budget and your power supply. The PSU needs enough wattage for the card and the correct power connectors; a higher-end card may require a stronger unit, so check its model and wattage before buying.
For a new card, the RX 9060 XT 16GB or RTX 5060 Ti 16GB would be sensible choices. They should handle Overwatch easily and run your single-player games well at 1440p, especially with FSR or DLSS when available. If you’re shopping used, an RX 6800 XT, RX 7800 XT, or RTX 4070-class card would also be worth considering.
Thanks, that gives me a few good options to compare.
Cyberpunk 2077 is probably the most demanding game on your list, so it’s a useful benchmark. At native 1440p without upscaling, you’d be looking more toward an RX 9070 or RX 9070 XT for a high-refresh experience. With FSR or DLSS set to Quality, a 16GB RX 9060 XT or RTX 5060 Ti should be a more practical option. Since Cyberpunk is also an FPS, targeting more than 60 FPS there is reasonable.
That’s a good point—I hadn’t really thought of Cyberpunk as a game where I’d want more than 60 FPS, but it makes sense.
The RTX 5060 Ti 16GB should also be enough for your stated targets, particularly since you’re willing to use low settings for Overwatch and upscaling in demanding games. I’d prioritize a 16GB model over a cheaper 8GB version for better long-term flexibility at 1440p.
How exactly do the PSU and graphics card affect each other? This is my first build, so I’m still learning.