I’m in the market for a new budget GPU that’s got low power requirements and a low TDP. I’ve recently upgraded my CPU to a Ryzen 7 5800 and added 32 GB of RAM, so I’m hoping to just upgrade the GPU without having to replace my power supply or spend a lot more—my GPU budget is $300 at most. Currently, I have an NV GTX1650 Super (100w) with a 430w 80+ Bronze certified PSU and I’m running Linux on kernel 6.8.x.
I’ve found that the NV RTX 4060 has solid benchmarks for its price, with a TDP of only 115w, which seems great. However, I’m also really interested in AMD options, but I can’t spot an AMD GPU that competes with the 4060 in performance while maintaining similar power specs and pricing. The Radeon RX 6600 has a similar TDP of 132w and a price tag around $250, which is better than my current card, but it’s still lagging behind the 4060.
I have two questions: 1) Is there another AMD card that can compete with the RTX 4060? If my PSU can handle something with a higher TDP, what would you recommend? 2) If the RTX 4060 is really the best option, how do Nvidia’s Linux drivers compare to AMD’s? Will I see performance issues with an NV card on Linux? Thanks!
3 Answers
Honestly, Nvidia on Linux isn’t as great as on Windows. You could experience a 10-30% performance drop. So while the RTX 4060 is capable, an RX card might give you better performance in a Linux setup. Just something to keep in mind when making your choice!
In terms of performance, while the RTX 4060 might seem more powerful, on Linux the RX 6600 can actually hold its own against it—sometimes even outperforming it. Plus, your 430W PSU should comfortably support options like the RX 6650 XT or RX 7600. Just keep Linux performance nuances in mind!
True, AMD drivers seem to perform consistently well across platforms. It’s a solid pick!
You might want to check if the RX 7600 is available at a decent price. It’s a solid choice and can compete pretty well with the RTX 4060. Also, while the 4060 performs great, keep in mind it can be slower on Linux compared to Windows. If you go AMD, the RX 7600 should do just fine, especially given your PSU strength.
Yeah, I’ve heard the RX 7600 performs pretty similarly on Linux. Just make sure you check stock as prices can fluctuate.
Yeah, Nvidia’s drivers can be a bit hit or miss on Linux, so I’d personally lean towards AMD if Linux gaming is your primary concern.