I'm new to building PCs and currently have an i7 6700k, 16GB of RAM, a 450W PSU, and a SATA SSD with some free space left. My GTX 1060 6GB has been giving me trouble lately, including screen tearing, black screens, and crashing, especially while gaming. I'm mainly using my PC for everyday tasks like productivity, Spotify, and YouTube, with an occasional game of Valorant. I want to upgrade to a GPU that delivers stable performance, ideally at 1440p, but I'm okay with 1080p as well. I'm looking into the 6600 XT and 6700 XT in the $200-$300 range, but some friends mention they may not be the best value right now, especially with the expected launch of the 9060 XT at around $300-$350. My budget maxes out at $350, and I'm prepared to upgrade my PSU if necessary. What are some good GPU options I should consider?
4 Answers
Getting a new PSU is a smart move! The 9060 XT is supposedly comparable to the 5060 Ti 16GB and might be a good buy if you can get it for MSRP, which I hope AMD can stick to this time. If not, don't hesitate to check the used market; you might find a 2060, 2070, or even a 3070 for a decent price, which could give you better performance than new cards in your budget. Just keep an eye on those prices — they can be all over the place!
Pairing the 9060 with your i7 6700k is a little unusual; you might be better off looking for a used 3060 or 3060 Ti instead. They'll fit better with your current setup and be powerful enough for your needs.
Before you decide on a new GPU, just keep in mind that you'll definitely need a new PSU. You're upgrading from a GPU that uses about 130W to one that could use around 250W, so make sure you factor that in. As for GPUs, anything you mentioned will work, but might cause a CPU bottleneck due to your older i7. Also, try using DDU to uninstall your current GPU drivers; it might fix those weird display issues you're having. Worth a shot!
If you're considering used cards, I definitely recommend checking out a 1080 or 1070 Ti. Just remember, you’ll need to upgrade your PSU for those. They're solid options if you're looking to stick around that price range and get reliable performance.
Yeah, I was thinking the same about the PSU upgrade. Appreciate the heads up!