I'm in the process of switching from a laptop to a PC, but I'm trying to stick to a budget. I don't game as much anymore, mainly just hopping into older titles like EQ EMU and Diablo 3 for a bit of fun with friends. I'm questioning whether I should spend around $400 on a high-end graphics card like the 9060XT 16GB. Do you think a new CPU with integrated graphics could handle these games, or is there a more affordable graphics card I could get that balances performance with cost? Right now, I play on a laptop with a GeForce MX150, so I'd like to match or exceed that performance. I can snag another decent laptop for about $600, so I'm hesitant to spend more on a PC setup that I won't use extensively. I'm not ruling out the 9060 completely, but I'd prefer to avoid it if I can.
3 Answers
If the performance you're getting with the MX150 works for you, the latest integrated graphics (iGPUs) should suit your needs just fine for those games!
Integrated graphics should handle those games, but I wouldn’t recommend getting a G-series processor – they have weaker onboard graphics. Instead, grab a standard CPU and pair it with a cheap used GTX 1060 6GB (should be around $50). This way, if you decide to play something more demanding at 1080p, you'll have the necessary power. That little investment will be worth it when you want to bump up the settings!
I'm a bit cautious about buying used parts, but at around $50, it seems like a low-risk option. Thanks for the insight!
For running EQ EMU and Diablo 3 comfortably at 1080p, you could consider a Ryzen 8600G or even an 8700G if you want a little extra performance. However, if you're looking for a cheap dedicated GPU, options like the RX 6500 XT, RX 6400, or Intel Arc A380 are solid budget picks. A used RX 6600 could work well too if you find a good deal! Anything beyond that might be overkill for your situation.
Thank you so much for the suggestions!
I thought that was the case, but I've been out of the hardware loop for a while. Thanks for confirming!