Hey everyone! I'm in the market for a graphics card priced between $200-$250 that won't be completely held back by my i3 10100F CPU. I know this CPU is pretty weak, but I'm planning to upgrade it, along with my motherboard and RAM, in a year or two. For now, I really want to upgrade from my GTX 1650. I've found some used cards, like the RX 6700/6750 XT with 12GB of VRAM, but I'm worried about purchasing older cards without a warranty as they might fail. Are used GPUs a risk worth taking? On the other hand, I spotted a new Powercolor Fighter RX 7600 for $130, which includes a 1-year warranty, but it only has 8GB of VRAM. Is 8GB still enough for 1080p gaming and editing? I'm looking to play newer games at 1080p with medium to high settings and also edit 4K projects on DaVinci Resolve. I considered the RTX 3060 with 12GB, but it's selling for about $350 here, while used ones go for around $200, again with no warranty. Lastly, will any of these options lead to significant CPU bottlenecks? Thanks for any advice!
1 Answer
Buying used GPUs can be a bit risky, but if you choose a reputable seller and do a proper stress test before the purchase, you might be fine. For new GPUs, I recommend the 9060 XT with 16GB of VRAM, or for a budget option, the ARC B580—just make sure your PSU can handle it. Your CPU will bottleneck any strong GPU, but since you plan to upgrade later, it’s smart to invest in a stronger card now rather than a low-end one.
I've been considering the 9060 XT too, but I think it might be overkill for my needs. In my country, it's around $400-$450, which is just insane! I also looked at the ARC B580, but I heard it has issues like stuttering or underperformance, especially with weaker CPUs like my i3 10100F.