Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
I would n’t spend less than $ 500 on a newgraphics cardin 2024 . I infer that budget is out of the query for many PC gamers , and I ’m not advocating for higherGPU pricesgoing forward . But with the game usable today , it just does n’t make sense to descend for a budget GPU that will shin the moment you take it out of the box .
We gota taste of the problemlast year with games likeThe Last of Us Part One , Resident Evil 4,andHogwarts Legacy , and the issue is cultivate back upagain withHorizon Forbidden West . I’m blab about VRAM in modern GPUs . At this point , you ’re much better off saving up for a more expensive GPU , hold back until the next genesis arrives , or digging deep on last - gen options .
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Why are you buying a new GPU?
If you pay tending to PC computer hardware reviews — particularly the YouTube megamind of reviewer — you credibly already have a saturnine taste in your backtalk for8 GB artwork cards . I get it . I do n’t concur that 8 GB GPUs are completely disused , however .
That ’s still more than enough store for the vast legal age of personal computer games , and depending on what you dally , you may never encounter an issue with an 8 GB computer graphic card .
There just is n’t a strong debate for buy a brand - new 8 GB graphics calling card in 2024 . I ’m mainly focused on the crop of options between $ 250 and $ 400 from AMD and Nvidia — cards like theRX 7600andRTX 4060 . AMD has its RX 7600 XT with 16 GB of VRAM at $ 350 , but that Leontyne Price is too gamey for how weak that card is compare to the residue of the securities industry .
Although a Modern GPU will improve your performance across the plank , you mainly slot in a newfangled nontextual matter card to enable newfangled game on your PC . Maybe it ’s playingCyberpunk 2077on a higher artwork preset with feature like DLSS , or it ’s unlocking the slate of ask PlayStation exclusives now available on PC likeThe Last of Us Part OneandHorizon Forbidden West . In these premier freeing , over and over again , we see that 8 GB of VRAM simply is n’t enough .
More than lower performance
Even considering the budget position of these computer graphic cards — and the born performance concessions as a consequence — they ’re a poor investment . In generations past , you could bank on a budget workhorse GPU for years . Cards like the GTX 1650 could render several years of gaming for a low price . Your overall carrying out would go down as more demanding games unblock , but you could still play them .
The VRAM issue is a unlike creature . In titles likeHorizon Forbidden WestandDiablo IV , you’ll run into lower public presentation , but the more pressing takings is stutter . Particularly when entering raw area , the VRAM buffer will replete , vastly turn down your skeleton pace briefly . It ’s not a corking play experience , and it ’s definitely worse than just playing a game at a lower anatomy rate .
Make the right investment
You ’re not just out of luck , thankfully . afford how late in the current generation we are , you could find last - gen options for very low-toned prices on the secondhand market . Cards like the RTX 3080 are usable for around $ 400 on the secondhand market , while AMD ’s RX 6750 XT is commonly uncommitted for around $ 300 pre - owned . Both come with more than 8 GB of VRAM , and they ’re solid performers compared to current - gen options at the same damage .
The other option is to hold back . Rumor has it thatAMD will release its next - gen GPUsin the center of this twelvemonth , whileNvidia is expectedto follow up at the last of the twelvemonth . Even if next - gen GPUs do n’t solve the VRAM problem , they ’ll push price down , allowing you to pick up a add-in like theRTX 4070orRX 7800 XTfor a lower Mary Leontyne Price .
At this point in time in 2024 , when we have a dozen or more examples of Modern game stressing 8 GB graphics carte du jour and more likely on the way , it ’s not a good idea to invest in a budget graphics circuit card that barely crosses the mark . It ’s a shame that ’s how things are this generation , but the PC gaming grocery is caught in an ill-chosen spot — games are stress hardware that current - gen budget GPUs just do n’t have .
This is n’t a new story , though . Given what we ’ve seen from game and rebound for notice like theRTX 4060 Ti , I ’m hopeful that next - gen selection will speak the VRAM concerns microcomputer gamers have right now . Until they show up , I ’d hold off on budget GPUs with 8 GB of VRAM if you want to get your money ’s deserving .
