I'm looking to upgrade the GPUs for my kids' setups. They've been using my old cards, but now they're struggling with newer games like Baldur's Gate, barely hitting 30fps on low settings. Currently, one kid has a Ryzen 5600 with a GTX 1070 and the other has a Ryzen 3600 paired with an R9 380. I recently moved to a 3090, so I'm not planning to upgrade again until the next 60xx series. However, I want to know what options are out there in the $300-500 range, preferably NVIDIA, since I've had issues with AMD in the past. I'm seeing mentions of the 5060, 5060 Ti in both 8GB and 16GB variants, and I wonder if the 5070 is stretching it budget-wise. Should I consider dual 5060s, or focus on the best single card within my budget?
5 Answers
Check out used options like the 3070 Ti or maybe even the 3080/3080 Ti if you can find them at a decent price. If you want something new, I'd suggest the 9060 XT with 16GB of VRAM. You can probably snag it around $389, and it's excellent for 1080p gaming without going over budget.
For your kids, I recommend getting a 5060 Ti with 16GB of VRAM. The extra VRAM can be a lifesaver for newer games, and the 5060 Ti should offer a great performance boost compared to their current setups. While the 3090 is still powerful, the 5070 outperforms it at a price point of around $550. But remember, the 3090 has double the VRAM, which could be important too. Overall, the 5060 Ti is a solid choice for 1080p gaming without breaking the bank.
That makes sense; I've been in the same boat with my laptop having 8GB of VRAM. It struggles with some newer games. Definitely go for that 16GB if you can!
If financing is tight, the 5060 Ti at $429 usually has good availability. Or, you could opt for the 9060 XT at $349 for a good balance between price and performance. Just keep an eye on VRAM, especially for future titles.
It's worth noting that NVIDIA has had its own share of issues lately, much like AMD in the past. Current AMD cards seem to be running smoother, so if you're open to options, check them out too!
If your kids are sticking to 1080p at 60Hz, you might consider two 5060s with 8GB each. It could suffice for their needs, as it’s roughly on par with a 3070, which should handle 1080p gaming just fine. Unless they plan to game at 1440p, the 5060 should be adequate.
That's where I'm leaning too! Plus, I don't think their current power supplies will have issues with this setup.
I just grabbed the 9060 XT, and it's been awesome for me! Very capable for 1080p, especially after undervolting.