New GPU
New GPU
Hello Tom´s forum.
I’m facing a decision about a GPU and PSU. I almost made up my mind because the market is too big and I spent three hours researching. Here’s my question:
I plan to upgrade my GPU from 2060 to MSI GeForce RTX 5060 8G Ventus 2X OC with 8GB GDDR7. For the PSU, I’m considering MSI MAG A750BN PCIE 5.0 750w or Corsair CX750 80 plus.
I’m on a budget and don’t want to spend too much, but both options are around 350$. I’m open to spending a bit more, maybe up to 400$ if I find something better.
The issue is my motherboard is an Asus Tuf B450 Gaming Plus II, which supports PCIe 3. The RTX 5060 is PCIe 5, but I’m not sure if that will affect performance. I read about it and it might cause some performance loss.
I wouldn't consider purchasing an 8gb GPU in 2025. The 5060 will also face bandwidth constraints due to the motherboard's x8 PCI-E support. It might be better to explore the used market for a GPU. If you have no options, opt for the 9060xt 8gb, which supports a full x16 slot and should experience minimal bandwidth issues.
Sorry if I ask too many questions, but I need to clarify a few points.
For mid-gaming in 2025, an 8GB RAM is probably insufficient; going for 12 or even 16 GB would be better. I understand that, but I don’t feel the need for 4K gaming at 1080p.
My motherboard lists X16, not X8, so maybe I’m misunderstanding the specs.
The x8 and x16 PCIe lanes mentioned apply to the graphics card itself, not the slot. Fewer lanes reduce manufacturing costs but also halve the available bandwidth. This impact on performance is minimal until the card is installed in older systems with lower specifications. The 5060 uses a PCIe 5.0 x8 bus, which provides half the maximum bandwidth of a 5.0 x16 slot. Installing a PCIe 5.0 x16 card in a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot results in only one-quarter of the bandwidth available in a 5.0 slot, while maintaining the same number of PCIe lanes or wired connections.
For clarity:
- PCIe 5.0, x1 lane offers 4GB/s or 64GB/s on an x16 slot; an x8 card can access up to 32GB/s.
- PCIe 4.0, x1 lane provides 2GB/s or 32GB/s on the same slot; an x8 card supports up to 16GB/s.
- PCIe 3.0, x1 lane delivers 1GB/s or 16GB/s on an x16 slot; the x8 card supports up to 8GB/s.
- A 5.0 x8 card in a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot receives only 8GB/s bandwidth, which is one-eighth of what a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot could offer.
- Current RTX 3070 models typically cost between $200 and $225, making them slightly faster than the RTX 5060 and compatible with PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. Using a used RTX 3070 under $230 could free up funds for a better power supply in the future, though its power consumption remains modest.
- For 8GB VRAM, performance remains adequate for 50-70fps at 1440p with medium to high settings, though it’s more suited for 1080p at 60-80fps or higher depending on the game. If you’re open to either AMD or Nvidia, stretching your budget could allow a better GPU for future upgrades. A RTX 3070 is not significantly more power-hungry than a RTX 5060, so your existing PSU should suffice.
- Regarding 8GB VRAM, it’s generally acceptable for achieving smooth gameplay at 1440p with low to medium settings, especially if you’re not concerned about the manufacturer. Depending on your preferred games, you might opt for a higher-end GPU like the RX 9060 XT 16GB to avoid compatibility issues with 8GB cards.
The choice ultimately hinges on the games you plan to play, as this influences the required VRAM for future titles. A minimum of 12GB is usually recommended to ensure the card remains functional for at least three years in 2025.
You managed to make me completely confused.
Thank you.
Looking at it, I have two choices: with the B450, even if I had bought the 5060, the performance might still be worse than my 2060, or a bit better could never reach the maximum potential the card offers.
So I see two options... One is to save enough and upgrade with a motherboard DDR5, PCIe 5, power supply, and a new graphics card, enjoying peace for the next 4 to 5 years.
Or I could just look for a used 30s or a new one, keep it cheap, buy a new power supply and get a small improvement that lasts about 2 years.
What CPU do you currently possess? This will influence the timing for a complete platform upgrade. If your processor meets 5600x, 5700x or 5800x specifications, you might postpone a bit longer, though upgrading within the next 1 to 3 years would be advisable for newer titles, particularly with games that remain poorly optimized such as Borderlands 4.
My CPU is running slow and my Ryzen 5 3600 is quite old. I need to upgrade the whole PC. Should I consider going to 9060XT? The reason is they have a 16 pin GPU. I did some research and found that the 5060 Ti 16 GB also has a 16 pin GPU, but the regular 5060 doesn’t.
5060ti is an x8 card.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti uses the PCI-Express 5.0 interface, but only supports an 8-lane setup. This is half the data rate of the more advanced versions, which operate at x16. If your system is outdated and only supports PCIe 4.0, you might encounter issues. www.techpowerup.com