Hey everyone, I'm in the market for my first graphics card and I'm hoping to find something that performs well for both 1080p and later 1440p gaming. My budget is tight, around $250. Here are the options I'm considering:
- 5060 Ti 8GB (or non-Ti 8GB) at about $260 on sale, new
- 9060 XT 8GB for around $240, brand new
- 6700 XT at approximately $210, used
- 7600 XT priced at about $225, used
- 3070 for around $210, factory refurbished
- 3070 Ti at about $240, factory refurbished
If you have any other suggestions within this budget, I'd love to hear them. I'm planning to use an eGPU setup initially for a few months before building a PC, and since I'm going with that, I'm avoiding Intel because of its ReBAR requirement. Also, I'm curious about the impact of upscaling technologies like DLSS, FSR, or XeSS—are they worth considering? Thanks for your help!
4 Answers
For sure go with the 5060 Ti. It’s more reliable in terms of performance and you should see good longevity from it compared to the older models. Plus, new cards come with warranties which is a plus!
If you can hold off and save up a bit more, consider the 6800 when you're ready to spend a bit over $250. It’s great for 1440p! But, I completely understand working within a strict budget. Just be mindful with used cards; sometimes you get lucky, and sometimes you don’t!
I'd go with the 5060 Ti if you can stretch your budget a little; it generally offers better performance. But if you're really tight, the 9060 XT is a solid choice too. Just be cautious with used GPUs; I took a risk on a used 5700 XT, and the fans died shortly after. Sometimes it's better to spend a bit more on a new card that you know will last longer!
Definitely lean towards the 5060 Ti if you want that extra performance, but if you're sticking strictly under budget, the 9060 XT will do the job. It really depends on your gaming needs. And remember to check for warranty if you go used!
Thanks for the advice! I’ll keep the warranty in mind if I go for something used.
Yeah, I can’t stretch over $250 at the moment. Good to know the 6800 is a good option for future upgrades though!