I'm looking to build a new desktop since my laptop struggles with gaming, especially for something like CS2. I'm 30 and enjoy casual gaming after work, and I want something that will last me for around five years without needing an upgrade. I'm aiming for 1080p gaming and considering a monitor with 180 or 240Hz refresh rates for competitive games while still being able to enjoy single-player games with good graphics.
Initially, I thought the RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB VRAM would be a solid choice, but I noticed that there's almost no difference in performance between the 8GB and 16GB versions based on benchmarks, despite a $150 price gap. I understand VRAM can have an impact on future-proofing my build, but then I also saw the RTX 5070 for an additional $140, which offers significantly better performance. It also makes it easier to upgrade to 1440p gaming later on.
So, is the extra 16GB VRAM worth it for the price? Am I just better off going with the 8GB or splurging on the 5070 given that the 16GB might not offer much real benefit?
1 Answer
Honestly, if you're mostly playing competitive 1080p games, the 8GB model is perfectly fine for now. The build you’re considering is already overkill for something like CS2. The 16GB model seems like you're just paying for extra memory that you might not even use. But if you think you’ll eventually move on to more demanding titles or higher resolutions, then investing in more VRAM with the 5070 could save you hassle in the long run.

Right? It's not just about now but also thinking ahead! No one wants to upgrade every couple of years.