I'm considering getting a new GPU mainly for gaming titles like CS2, Valorant, Arc Raiders, GTA V, Cyberpunk, and PUBG. Currently, I'm playing at 1080p but plan to upgrade my monitor to either 1440p or 2K in the future. My CPU is the R7 5700X.
Recently, the price for the AMD RX 9060 XT has jumped significantly from around €340 two months ago to €450 now, which is quite a hike. It has only 2 fans on the PowerColor version, which raises my concern about potential overheating, leading me to consider the 3-fan versions from Gigabyte or XFX for an extra €38 or €52 respectively.
On the other hand, the Intel Arc B580 didn't increase much in price; it's gone from €250 to €285 for a Sparkle model with 3 fans.
Overall, the AMD costs roughly 32% more compared to its price in December, while Intel's increase is about 14%.
I've seen benchmarks indicating that the RX 9060 XT performs 20-40% better in most games, although interestingly, the framerate in CS2 is about the same for both cards. The price difference is substantial, leading me to question whether it's worth it for the RX 9060 XT. I'm a bit frustrated that I didn't purchase a GPU earlier, and I'm looking to keep this new one for at least 3.5 years.
4 Answers
The RX 9060 XT 16GB is about 30% faster than the B580, and in terms of driver stability, AMD tends to excel compared to Intel. If you can stretch your budget a bit, the performance gain is definitely worth it. Just ask yourself, if the 9060 XT was at MSRP now, would you buy it? If the answer is yes, then make the investment!
I faced a similar situation and opted for the B580 because the price difference was a bit steep for my budget, but I have zero complaints! I can still play all my games at 1440p without any issues. It really boils down to your budget and urgency. If you can save up a bit longer, the 9060 XT is a great choice for durability and longer-term performance. Otherwise, the B580 is a solid alternative.
I actually went for the 9060 XT last month due to NVIDIA’s upcoming production issues. However, don't underestimate the B580; it's still a decent choice at its price point. You'd be able to game effectively on it, just not as powerfully as the RX 9060 XT.
From my experience with both GPUs, I can assure you that the RX 9060 XT is superior. If you plan on keeping the card for several years, go with the 9060 XT. It may cost more, but it’s worth it in performance. Just to clarify, there might have been a misunderstanding; the price might have varied if you saw an 8GB variant instead.
P.S. I got mine a couple of months back for €340, so it's possible to find a better deal!
I picked up the 9060 XT 16GB recently as well, and I think it was a great investment. The savings can really pay off in the long run!