I'm contemplating whether it's worth it to switch from my RTX 3070 to an RX 9060 XT. The 9060 has 16GB of VRAM compared to the 3070's 8GB, it consumes less power (160W vs 220W TDP), and since my 3070 is a blower-style FE edition, my temps should definitely improve. If I trade in my current GPU, I can snag the 9060 XT for just $150. While the performance difference is only around 5%, the extra features are tempting. I do feel VRAM-capped in a couple of games where I'm only getting about 40 FPS on max settings. Do you think upgrading to 16GB would significantly boost my performance? Thanks for your thoughts!
2 Answers
If you've been using the RTX 3070 since it dropped in 2020, it might be better to hold onto it and save for a higher-end GPU like the RX 7800 XT or RX 9070 XT instead of the RX 9060 XT. Those could offer more substantial upgrades down the line!
It sounds like you might already know the answer! Definitely go for the 16GB model since the RX 9060 XT has both 8GB and 16GB versions. That extra VRAM could make a noticeable difference in the games you mentioned, especially if you're feeling capped right now.
Exactly, but it really depends on how much that VRAM will actually boost your FPS. If you're only gaining a few FPS, then sticking with the 3070 might be smarter. But if you see a significant increase, like 30%, then that upgrade would totally be worth it.
The 9070 XT is a bit out of my budget right now, with it costing about $470 after trade-in compared to just $150 for the 9060 XT. But I'm really curious if the extra VRAM and features justify that $150 for better FPS in my games.