Hey everyone! I've been using my Skylake-Pascal PC for nearly a decade, and it's starting to show its age. My setup includes an i7-6700K overclocked to 4.6 GHz, 32 GB of DDR4 RAM, and a GTX 1070. I'm running on Linux (Arch) with a 1080p monitor, but I'm looking to upgrade to a 1440p setup soon. DDR5 prices have gone through the roof, so I'm sticking with my current CPU and RAM for now.
I'm ready to invest around $300 to upgrade my GPU to something that can handle 1440p gaming, while still maintaining 60 FPS on medium to medium-high settings. I've heard it's important to have 16 GB of VRAM for this resolution and that future games might require ray tracing and effective upscaling to perform well. With my current budget in mind, what are the best options for a GPU upgrade that won't become obsolete too quickly? I'm open to new or used cards, preferably something that offers the best value for performance.
8 Answers
Just a heads up, I had an i7-6600K paired with the 6600 XT and found it struggled in newer games. I ended up upgrading to a whole new setup. If your budget allows, consider future upgrades down the line.
It sounds like now's the time for an AMD GPU! The RX 6750 XT has been getting good reviews; it might be the perfect match for your needs.
Considering you're on Linux, I'd recommend looking into a refurbished RX 9060 XT with 16GB of VRAM for around $299. It's specifically designed to perform well, and the open-source driver experience on Linux is fantastic! Check it out here: [PowerColor RX 9060 XT](https://www.microcenter.com/product/696782/powercolor-amd-radeon-rx-9060-xt-reaper-dual-fan-16gb-gddr6-pcie-50-graphics-card-(refurbished)).
A used 2070 Super or a RX 6750 XT would also fit the bill since they both come with sufficient VRAM. Just make sure you check if they fit your setup!
Definitely look into upgrading! I had the same GTX 1070, and after replacing it with a 3070 Ti, the difference was night and day. You deserve a fresh start!
If the RX 9060 XR isn't affordable, look at the 8GB models or any good used graphics card options you can find.
For your budget, the best option would be a used RX 6800 XT. It's got 16GB of VRAM, which will really help with 1440p gaming and longevity. Plus, since you're on Arch, you’ll benefit from great open-source drivers, making it a smooth experience overall. I think this card will easily keep you above 60 FPS in most modern titles at that resolution!
Your components are getting pretty dated; upgrading to something like an Intel B580 or an RTX 5050/60 could be a move, but make sure to do your homework before diving in. It's like trying to fit a new engine into an old car—could get tricky!
I've seen benchmarks that say the B580 doesn't perform well with older CPUs, so keep that in mind!
Yeah, AMD GPUs really shine on Linux because of their driver support. Definitely the way to go!