I'm putting together a gaming PC with a budget of about $1,000 and am considering the RX 9060 XT. The 16GB model costs around $600 new where I live, while the cheapest 8GB version is about $350. I mainly play Valorant, CS2, and Minecraft, but I may try other games later. Is the 16GB model worth the extra cost, and should I pair it with a 1080p or 1440p monitor?
4 Answers
For Valorant, CS2, and Minecraft, the RX 9060 XT is already more than enough. The 8GB version should handle 1080p comfortably, so spending $600 on the 16GB model doesn’t make much sense for your current games. A used GPU could also give you better value.
If you want to play newer or more demanding games later, the 16GB model is the safer long-term choice, especially at 1440p. For your current games, either version will work well, but the 8GB card is the better budget match for 1080p.
Your processor may matter more than the graphics card in Valorant and CS2, since those games can be CPU-limited at high frame rates. Even a GTX 1660 Super or RX 3060 Ti would be plenty for 1080p esports gaming, so make sure the rest of the build is balanced.
Before paying a premium for the 9060 XT, check used options such as an RX 6800 or RX 7700 XT. Depending on local prices, they may offer stronger performance and more VRAM for less money. Intel Arc 12GB cards are another option if you want to save money, though checking game compatibility and driver support is important.
I use the 16GB version and it handles everything I play without trouble. I usually target 60 FPS at high settings and use FSR when needed, so the extra memory gives some useful headroom.