What GPU under $300 makes sense for a Linux gaming and media PC?
Asked by
MellowCedar42
I'm putting together a secondary Linux PC for the living room using an older Ryzen 5 1600 and 16GB of DDR4. My main Windows system already has a 4070 Ti Super, so this machine will mainly handle media tasks and lighter gaming. I'm thinking about moderately modded Skyrim and possibly Armored Core 6, rendering at 1080p even though the TV is 4K. I know game streaming from the main PC is an option, but I'd prefer to install a dedicated graphics card since I need a display adapter anyway. My budget is around $300, and I'm open to buying used. A Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB seems like one possible new option, though I'm aware of the concerns surrounding 8GB of VRAM. AMD seems appealing because of its Linux driver support, but I'm also curious whether Intel Arc cards are worth considering. I'm located in the United States.
Answers
For a new card, the RX 9060 XT is a reasonable choice in this price range and should handle 1080p gaming well. If you’re shopping used, Radeon RX 6000- and 7000-series cards give you more options and may offer better performance per dollar. AMD is generally the easiest choice on Linux because of its mature open drivers.
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Intel Arc is worth considering, particularly an A380 for basic media use or a B580 if you find a good deal. Intel’s Linux support has improved a lot, but for the least hassle with gaming, AMD remains the safer recommendation. An Arc A380 would be fine as a display and media card, but it would be underpowered for the games you mentioned.
VividPine_24: I’ve had good results with a B580 at 1440p, although my games aren’t especially demanding. For heavier titles, I’d still compare its price against a used AMD card.
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Eight gigabytes should be acceptable for the games you listed at 1080p, especially if you aren’t using demanding texture mods. I wouldn’t automatically rule out an 8GB card for this system, though a 12GB model like the 6700 XT gives you more breathing room for future games and mods.
MellowCedar42: That’s my thinking as well. Since this is mainly a secondary system and I’m targeting 1080p, I’m less concerned about longevity than I would be for my main PC.
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I’d look for a used RX 6700 XT first. It has solid 1080p performance, 12GB of VRAM, and is often considerably cheaper than newer cards. An RX 7600 XT is another option if you want to buy new or prefer a newer, lower-power card.
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SilverKite_58: A used RX 6800 XT can be especially good value if you find one in decent condition, although it may be more GPU than you need and its power requirements are higher.