My old GTX 980 Ti finally died after I spilled lemonade on it. It also had cooling issues with its fans not working, so games like Red Dead Redemption 2 could only run at about 40 FPS on medium to low settings. Now I’m looking to buy a new graphics card. Prices for new and used cards are about the same where I am. The RTX 3050 costs around £150 and the RTX 4060 is about £250. I mostly play less demanding games like RimWorld and Schedule 1 but sometimes dive into heavier titles like The Last of Us or RDR2. Since I’m saving for a car, I want to spend as little as possible, but I also want a card that can handle newer games in a year or two. Should I go for the 3050 to save money or spend more for the 4060 to get better longevity?
4 Answers
Go for the RTX 4060. It’s a better investment overall and will keep up with new games longer. The 3050 might be cheaper now but you’ll likely feel the need to upgrade sooner. Since you’re aiming for some future-proofing while balancing your budget, the 4060 strikes a better balance in price and performance.
Honestly, the RTX 3050, especially the 6GB version, is pretty underwhelming and can actually perform worse than your old 980 Ti in some cases. The 8GB version is a bit better but still not great. If you want real value, look at used options like the RTX 3060 Ti or AMD’s RX 6600, which offer better performance at a similar or slightly higher price than the 3050. The RTX 4060 is also a solid pick, especially if you can stretch your budget to £250, as it will last longer and handle new games better.
If you want to really maximize value, look into the RTX 4060 or a used RX 6600. The 3050 just doesn’t cut it anymore and you’ll be regretting it in a year or so. There’s also the option of a used 3060 Ti if you can find one within your budget. The key is getting enough VRAM (8GB+) and horsepower to run newer games decently, and the 3050 struggles with that.
No cap, avoid the 3050 entirely. It’s not worth the money unless it’s dirt cheap or you only play super light games. The 4060 is basically the minimum I’d recommend, especially if you occasionally play heavy titles like RDR2 or The Last of Us. Also, you might want to consider looking for a good deal on a used RX 6600 — often priced similarly to a 3050 but offers better bang for your buck.
