Earlier-Technology Playing cards
Not everybody needs to spend $1,000 or extra on a GPU, and you’ve got just a few choices for those who’re engaged on a tighter general finances. Usually, I’d suggest a earlier era card, however the RTX 40 Sequence and AMD 7000 playing cards are nearly completely out of inventory or massively marked up at main retailers. These playing cards are squarely concentrating on 1,920 x 1,080 for gaming, so don’t get your hopes up you probably have a better decision or refresh fee.
There are nonetheless just a few older-generation playing cards you possibly can choose up comparatively simply, however the second you recover from $400, take a look at the RTX 5060 Ti above. They’re available below $400, and the efficiency there shall be a major enchancment over the beneath choices, with the additional benefit of the most recent DLSS tech.
AMD
Earlier than the 50 Sequence launch, I used to be utilizing a Sapphire Pulse 7900 XT, a card I’d like to suggest now, because it served me effectively for 2 years at 3,440 x 1,440 and was below $700 in June 2023. Sadly, it’s at present onerous to seek out in inventory, and restocks will decelerate significantly now that the brand new AMD playing cards are in the marketplace.
As a substitute, I would attain just a little additional down the ability scale and seize an RX 7600. Whereas I have never frolicked with this mannequin, I’ve been traditionally happy with Sapphire’s playing cards, and it ought to be pretty succesful at 1080p in older titles, indie video games, and nice on your common night of Rocket League or Minecraft.
Once more, this card isn’t going to push 1440p, particularly in newer video games, and it’s going to lack a few of the options you’re seeing on the most recent and best GPUs. It ought to get you down the highway till issues have hopefully calmed down a bit, although.
Nvidia
As of early 2025, the one previous-generation card I can constantly discover in inventory from Nvidia is the RTX 4060, a GPU which can also be approaching two years in the marketplace. It was a succesful card at 1080p, but it surely would not sustain fairly as effectively with at this time’s video games, and you will have to show the settings right down to even contemplate 1440p.
Of the accessible picks, I just like the MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ventus 2X Black, a compact card with a low energy requirement that ought to match into mainly any fashionable system. MSI has an incredible observe document for dependable, simple graphics playing cards, and this one is in inventory and lately discounted.
Of the 2, I believe the AMD is a greater purchase, regardless that it’s efficiency is barely much less spectacular on paper than the RTX 4060. On the sub-$500 worth level, a $100 worth distinction will be large, so preserve a watch out for reductions to be sure you’re getting the perfect deal, particularly as these generations start to shut out.
Shopping for Used
On the subject of GPUs, I am usually a fan of shopping for new. Not solely will you guarantee you will have correct guarantee and RMA help if one thing goes unsuitable, however it may be onerous to know if somebody misused the GPU, both via heavy crypto mining, poor temperature management of their system, or artifacts and points they did not disclose. I am usually a fan of shopping for utilized in different areas, however with demand and costs so excessive, it may be onerous to belief strangers.
In case you do purchase used, be certain that to do your legwork. Native meetups through Craigslist or Reddit can have nice offers and provide you with an opportunity to examine the GPU, even if you cannot be certain that it boots up. You may as well ask for video proof of the cardboard operating a recreation that additionally consists of the serial quantity in a single steady shot. In case you’re contemplating shopping for a used card on-line, be sure you’re conscious of {the marketplace} and cost processors’ return and dispute insurance policies.
Once you get the cardboard dwelling, examine it instantly for any harm to the cardboard, notably on the PCIe fin and the ability connectors. As soon as put in, a software program software referred to as GPU-Z can confirm the cardboard’s {hardware} to ensure it matches the anticipated numbers for the mannequin. Run some video games on it instantly, in order that if something is unsuitable you possibly can attain out to the vendor instantly.