I built my computer back in 2018, and I got a GTX 1060 graphics card from a friend who had an extra one. It's served me well, but lately, it's been struggling to keep up, especially with games like Destiny, which I usually run at medium settings for about 60 fps, even though I have a 144hz monitor. I'm looking for an upgrade that's affordable but will last me for a few years. I was considering the RTX 3050 since it's priced under $200 and was released around six years ago, but I feel unsure. Any advice on better options? Here are my full specs for reference: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU, ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING motherboard, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and Windows 11. Thanks for your input!
3 Answers
Don’t waste your money on the 3050. It’s not worth it. Look at getting a used RTX 2070 or a 3060 if you can, as they offer much better performance for about the same price. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the difference!
If you want a good upgrade without breaking the bank, consider looking at an RTX 2070 or 3070. They generally offer excellent 1080p performance and can be found used for a reasonable price, usually slightly over $200. It'll be a solid step up from your current setup!
Thanks for the tip! It's good to know those cards are within reach!
Honestly, the RTX 3050 isn’t going to future-proof you at all. It's only about 20% faster than your current card. Instead, you should consider getting a used GPU like the RX 6700XT, RTX 3060 or 3060 Ti, or even the RX 6600. You want a GPU that pairs well with your Ryzen 5 5600X, so anything that won't bottleneck it will be ideal! Look for something in the second-hand market to save some cash.
Thanks for the suggestions! I checked my CPU specs; it looks like I'm good on that front with my Ryzen 5 5600X.
I didn't realize how much better the 3060 is compared to the 3050! I'll definitely check out what I can find used.