I'm considering a used PC priced at $450 CAD that includes an Intel i7-9700K, 16GB of 3200MHz RAM, an aftermarket air cooler, a Corsair case with matching fans, and a 600W power supply, but no graphics card. My goal is to keep the system for at least another year and play games like Overwatch, Valorant, and Counter-Strike at 1440p with a 144Hz or 180Hz monitor. With a total budget of roughly $700–$800 CAD, I'm considering a used RX 5700 XT or RTX 2070 Super. I may eventually upgrade the SSD, CPU cooling, and RAM, in that order. I've also seen RTX 3060 Ti and RTX 3070 cards listed around $300–$350, but those would put me over budget and may be a lot for a 600W PSU. Is the base system reasonably priced, and which GPU would make the most sense?
1 Answer
I’d be cautious about calling the base system a great deal, since the platform is fairly old and the value depends heavily on the exact power supply, motherboard, storage, and overall condition. That said, the 9700K should still handle competitive games well. If you can find a clean RTX 3070 locally around $330 CAD, it would be the strongest option for 1440p high-refresh gaming, though I’d verify the PSU’s quality and available PCIe power connectors before buying. A 3060 Ti is also worth considering if you find one at a similar price, while a 5700 XT or 2070 Super only makes sense if they’re substantially cheaper.
I’m trying to buy locally and keep the entire setup under about $700–$800 CAD. What GPU and overall system price would you consider reasonable in that range?