Hey everyone! I'm planning to upgrade my gaming PC which is about 8 years old, and I'm really confused about picking the right GPU. I mainly want to be able to play Escape from Tarkov, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and AC: Shadows at 60fps on my 60hz monitor without having to lower the settings too much. My current setup is struggling, especially with EFT. I've heard mixed reviews about UserBenchmark not being reliable, so I'm turning here for some advice. Is Can You RUN It a trustworthy tool for checking game requirements?
I'm considering GPUs like the RTX 3060, RTX 3060-Ti, or RTX 3070, mainly because I'm on a budget. Would an AMD GPU be a better option for performance vs. price? Also, would a 2000 series card suffice for the newer games, especially since some are requiring ray tracing? I'll be buying the GPU second-hand to save costs. Check out my current build [here](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/LXM7FZ) and what I'm hoping to upgrade to [here](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/pxbHZc). I'm looking at spending around €300 to €400 for the upgrades. Thanks for your insights!
4 Answers
Honestly, don’t spend $200 on that CPU and RAM upgrade. It’s not worth it—probably more like $50 max. Look for better options for around the same price.
When upgrading RAM, consider getting 2x16GB instead of 4x8GB—it might be more cost-efficient and could improve performance. Just don’t forget about your storage; a 2TB M.2 drive could also be a great addition if you can find it at a reasonable price.
Here’s a suggestion: you could get a CPU, motherboard, and RAM combo for under $200. This could really help without breaking the bank. And pair it with a 3060 for about $200 to really boost your gaming experience!
If you can find it second-hand, check out the ASRock Challenger OC Radeon RX 9060 XT. It’s listed around $369.99 right now and offers great performance for gaming. Just keep an eye out on the second-hand market, as prices may vary!
Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately, I can't find that model second-hand right now, and a new one would wipe out my entire budget at €389. I'll keep searching though, that much VRAM would be awesome.
I actually currently have 2x8GB for 16GB total but was planning to add another two sticks. Thanks for the tip on the 2x16GB, I’ll definitely look into that! A 2TB M.2 sounds tempting, but that's a bit out of my budget for now.