Earlier-Technology Playing cards
Usually, I’d advocate a earlier era card, however the RTX 40 Sequence and AMD 7000 playing cards are virtually solely out of inventory or massively marked up at main retailers. There are nonetheless just a few older-generation playing cards you may decide up comparatively simply, they usually’re a few of the solely choices below $500, with newer generations solely having the dearer playing cards reside. These playing cards are squarely focusing on 1,920 x 1,080 for gaming, so don’t get your hopes up when you have the next decision or refresh charge.
AMD
Earlier than the 50 Sequence launch, I used to be utilizing a Sapphire Pulse 7900 XT, a card I might like to advocate now, because it served me properly for 2 years at 3,440 x 1,440 and was below $700 in June 2023. Sadly, it’s at present laborious to search out in inventory, and restocks will decelerate significantly now that the brand new AMD playing cards are in the marketplace.
As an alternative, I might attain a bit of additional down the ability scale and seize an RX 7600. Whereas I have not frolicked with this mannequin, I’ve been traditionally happy with Sapphire’s playing cards, and it needs to be pretty succesful at 1080p in older titles, indie video games, and nice to 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 newest and best GPUs. It ought to get you down the street till issues have hopefully calmed down a bit, although.
Nvidia
As of early April 2025, the one previous-generation card I can persistently discover in inventory from Nvidia is the RTX 4060, a GPU which can be approaching two years in the marketplace. It was a succesful card at 1080p, however it would not sustain fairly as properly with at the moment’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 principally any trendy system. MSI has a fantastic observe document for dependable, simple graphics playing cards, and this one is in inventory and just lately discounted.
Of the 2, I feel the AMD is a greater purchase, despite the fact that it’s efficiency is barely much less spectacular on paper than the RTX 4060. On the sub-$500 value level, a $100 value distinction might be large, so hold a watch out for reductions to be sure you’re getting the most effective deal, particularly as these generations start to shut out.
Shopping for Used
In terms of GPUs, I am typically a fan of shopping for new. Not solely will you guarantee you could have correct guarantee and RMA assist if one thing goes unsuitable, however it may be laborious to know if somebody misused the GPU, both by heavy crypto mining, poor temperature management of their system, or artifacts and points they did not disclose. I am typically a fan of shopping for utilized in different areas, however with demand and costs so excessive, it may be laborious to belief strangers.
In case you do purchase used, make certain to do your legwork. Native meetups by way of Craigslist or Reddit can have nice offers and offer you an opportunity to examine the GPU, even if you cannot make certain it boots up. You may as well ask for video proof of the cardboard operating a sport 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 fee processors’ return and dispute insurance policies.
Whenever 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 verify it matches the anticipated numbers for the mannequin. Run some video games on it straight away, in order that if something is unsuitable you may attain out to the vendor straight away.
