I'm building a gaming PC in the UK and have a graphics card budget of roughly £200–£350. My peripherals are already sorted, and I already have the RAM, CPU, CPU cooler, power supply, motherboard, and case. Which GPU would give me the best performance for the money? I'm open to buying either new or used, and I'd also appreciate any advice about compatibility or whether I need to add case fans.
4 Answers
For a new card, the Intel Arc B580 is likely one of the best performance-per-pound options. It can be excellent value, although driver support and game compatibility aren’t quite as predictable as Nvidia or AMD, so it’s worth checking performance for the games you actually play.
If you prefer Nvidia and want a new GPU, the RTX 5060 is a sensible choice. It may cost around £300–£350, while a used RTX 3070 can deliver similar performance for less. The newer card mainly gives you a warranty, better efficiency, and newer features.
If you’re comfortable buying used, an RTX 3080 would probably offer the strongest performance in this price range. Just check the card’s condition, power requirements, temperatures, and whether your power supply has the right connectors. A used RTX 3070 or 3070 Ti could also be worthwhile if you find one around £240–£300.
The best option depends heavily on your games and resolution. A newer 8GB card such as the RTX 5060 or RX 9060 XT could work if you want to buy new, but compare current prices before deciding. Also make sure the case has enough airflow—if it doesn’t include fans, budget for at least a couple of intake and exhaust fans.
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