I'm trying to upgrade my HP Pavilion desktop after recently switching out some components with my cousin. We spent about $700 total on new parts, and while most of the system is upgraded—like a Ryzen 7 5800x and 32GB of RAM—I still haven't replaced the graphics card. Currently, I'm playing Skate and the game is causing my computer to struggle significantly; it gets really loud and laggy after just a few minutes. I want to find a graphics card that won't break the bank but still allows me to enjoy Skate and The Sims without performance issues. My budget is around $300, and I'd prefer to spend less if possible!
3 Answers
When picking a new graphics card, focus on the VRAM and how much power it will draw. Your power supply unit (PSU) wattage is key here—make sure to check that. If you upgrade to a more powerful card, ensure your PSU can handle the increased draw without issue. Generally, for your budget, try to get as much VRAM as possible. That will really help with the games you're looking to play!
What’s your budget and where are you located? It helps to know that when giving suggestions.
For your price range, you have a few solid options: 1) The 9060 XT 16GB for around $350 (though a bit over budget) looks really good, 2) The 5060 8GB for about $300 is a great choice, and 3) If you want to save a bit more, the B580 is around $250. Make sure to check benchmarks for performance you can expect with Skate and other features, like DLSS!
I have a budget of $300 and I'm located in Indiana.