Question Would upgrading my GPU make sense with my current system?

[biruz117]

I have a budget of €800 and considered waiting for the 50 series Super cards to upgrade my GPU and Power supply, but I'm unsure if the GPU will be a sizable upgrade since I currently play at 1080p.
I play a lot of competitive games and see my GPU reaching 100% more often than my CPU, though people point out the CPU would bottleneck any of these 50 series cards.
Additionally, I'd pair an 850-watt PSU with the system.
(I'm not against getting an AMD card either, but since they're way above MSRP in my region (Portugal) it hasn't been my first choice, just looking for suggestions and advice)

Current specs:
Motherboard: Asus Prime B660 Plus
GPU:Rtx 3060 12 vram
CPU: i5 12400f
PSU: Seasonic Core GC 500 500W 80 Plus Gold
RAM: 32GB DDR4 3200

 

[Why_Me]

I have a budget of €800 and considered waiting for the 50 series Super cards to upgrade my GPU and Power supply, but I'm unsure if the GPU will be a sizable upgrade since I currently play at 1080p.
I play a lot of competitive games and see my GPU reaching 100% more often than my CPU, though people point out the CPU would bottleneck any of these 50 series cards.
Additionally, I'd pair an 850-watt PSU with the system.
(I'm not against getting an AMD card either, but since they're way above MSRP in my region it hasn't been my first choice, just looking for suggestions and advice)

Current specs:
Motherboard: B660 Plus
GPU:Rtx 3060 12 vram
CPU: i5 12400f
PSU: 500 watts Seasonic
RAM: 32GB DDR4 3200

What country are you located and do you have any links to sites you will be purchasing from?

 

[Aeacus]

but I'm unsure if the GPU will be a sizable upgrade since I currently play at 1080p.

To see if you need better GPU or not, make a simple test;

Play 2-3 of your games on high/ultra settings and note down average FPS.
Then, play same games again but put graphical settings to low/min. Look if FPS did increase or not.

If FPS did increase in a meaningful way (more than 5 FPS), then better GPU gives more FPS.
But if FPS didn't increase or remains within negligible difference (+/- 5FPS), then you're held back by CPU and better GPU does 0.

PSU: 500 watts Seasonic

PSU make and model (or part number) is? Also, how old the PSU is, and was the PSU bought new or used/refurbished?

There are only select few 500W PSUs from Seasonic. 8 in total (excluding industrial PSUs).
And depending on what you have, you are either fine running it, or need to replace is ASAP, even if you don't go with a new GPU.

Additionally, I'd pair an 850-watt PSU with the system.

Planned PSU make and model (or part number) is?

 

[biruz117]

What country are you located and do you have any links to sites you will be purchasing from?

Portugal, I usually get my components from Amazon.es, PCComponentes.pt, pcdiga.com, and globaldata.pt

 

[biruz117]

To see if you need better GPU or not, make a simple test;

Play 2-3 of your games on high/ultra settings and note down average FPS.
Then, play same games again but put graphical settings to low/min. Look if FPS did increase or not.

If FPS did increase in a meaningful way (more than 5 FPS), then better GPU gives more FPS.
But if FPS didn't increase or remains within negligible difference (+/- 5FPS), then you're held back by CPU and better GPU does 0.


PSU make and model (or part number) is? Also, how old the PSU is, and was the PSU bought new or used/refurbished?

There are only select few 500W PSUs from Seasonic. 8 in total (excluding industrial PSUs).
And depending on what you have, you are either fine running it, or need to replace is ASAP, even if you don't go with a new GPU.


Planned PSU make and model (or part number) is?

It's a Seasonic Core GC 500 500W 80 Plus Gold, bought it new and I've had it for nearly 5 years by now. I was looking at the MSI MAG A850GL, which goes for 100 euro
I'm going to run those tests once I get back to my PC, appreciate it.

 

[biruz117]

To see if you need better GPU or not, make a simple test;

Play 2-3 of your games on high/ultra settings and note down average FPS.
Then, play same games again but put graphical settings to low/min. Look if FPS did increase or not.

If FPS did increase in a meaningful way (more than 5 FPS), then better GPU gives more FPS.
But if FPS didn't increase or remains within negligible difference (+/- 5FPS), then you're held back by CPU and better GPU does 0.

I've tested it and noticed a substantial increase in fps from on a few games (up to 90 fps difference on average), and at high settings, the CPU doesn't reach 100% usage while the GPU is pretty close to that. At low settings, the CPU maxes out before the GPU does, but they both sit pretty high.

 

[Why_Me]

Portugal, I usually get my components from Amazon.es, PCComponentes.pt, pcdiga.com, and globaldata.pt

Portugal
PCPartPicker Part List

Video Card: *ASRock Challenger OC Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card (€395.50 @ Switch Technology)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 II 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€92.61 @ PC Componentes)
Total: €488.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-08-17 15:20 WEST+0100

Spain
PCPartPicker Part List

Video Card: *Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card (€385.80 @ Neobyte)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 II 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€93.46 @ Amazon Espana)
Total: €479.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-08-17 16:23 CEST+0200

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/sapphire-radeon-rx-9060-xt-pulse-oc/31.html

 

[Why_Me]

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: *AMD Ryzen 5 7500F 3.7 GHz 6-Core OEM/Tray Processor (€150.22 @ reichelt elektronik)
CPU Cooler: *ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE 58 CFM CPU Cooler (€41.96 @ Amazon Espana)
Motherboard: *ASRock B850 Pro-A WiFi ATX AM5 Motherboard (€174.00 @ LIFE Informatica)
Memory: *Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (€99.99 @ Amazon Espana)
Video Card: *Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB Video Card (€385.80 @ Neobyte)
Power Supply: *MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 II 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€93.46 @ Amazon Espana)
Total: €945.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-08-17 16:52 CEST+0200

 

[Aeacus]

It's a Seasonic Core GC 500 500W 80 Plus Gold, bought it new and I've had it for nearly 5 years by now.

Yeah... mediocre quality PSU, borderline low quality. Tier B-.
But has 7 year warranty. So, ~2 years of life on it still.

When wondering what the 8x 500W units from Seasonic are, then (by order of build quality): PRIME Fanless PX, Focus SGX, Core GX, Core GM, Core GC, S12II, S12III and A12.

I was looking at the MSI MAG A850GL

Mediocre quality PSU. Tier B.

For proper PSU for gaming rig, Tier A is proper. Like: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
PSU tier list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...JWkc/edit?pli=1&gid=1973454078#gid=1973454078

Tier A- will do too, while Tier A+ is preferred.
(My 3x PCs are solely powered by Tier A PSUs. Namely, i have Seasonic PRIME 650 Titanium (Tier A+), Seasonic PRIME Ultra 650 Titanium (Tier A+) and Seasonic Focus PX-550 (Tier A). Full specs with pics in my sig.)

I've tested it and noticed a substantial increase in fps from on a few games (up to 90 fps difference on average), and at high settings, the CPU doesn't reach 100% usage while the GPU is pretty close to that. At low settings, the CPU maxes out before the GPU does, but they both sit pretty high.

Then you're held back by the GPU and better GPU can give up to the same FPS uplift you saw.

Here's Nvidia option with much better, Tier A+ PSU:

PCPartPicker Part List

Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB PCIe x8 Video Card (€469.90 @ PCDIGA)
Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2024) 750 W Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€146.90 @ PCDIGA)
Total: €616.80

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-08-17 15:54 WEST+0100

RTX 5060 Ti vs RX 9060 XT;​

Performance wise, it comes down to individual game;

Source: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/sapphire-radeon-rx-9060-xt-pulse-oc/34.html


Personally, i'd go with Nvidia.

Nvidia drivers, usually, are better optimized than Radeon drivers are (less stutters/hiccups).
Also, RTX 5060 Ti can utilize DLSS 4, which is better than Radeon FSR 4.

Now, FSR 4 on 4K, is essentially equal to DLSS 4 in terms of image quality, but on 1440p, DLSS 4 is still better.
And there is, of course, game support issue for either of the two. FAR more games support DLSS 4 than those that support FSR 4.

Here's good article comparing the two of them,
link: https://www.techspot.com/article/2976-amd-fsr4-4k-upscaling/

While it is a long read, it has plenty of info about these two and at the end of the article, there is talk about game support.
Found also short (6min) video that compares the two as well (if you don't want to read that article);

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkGCwiEIdOA


Overall, DLSS 4 is a touch better than FSR 4, but main argument would be game support.
When you have mere 65 titles that support FSR 4, some 200 games that support FSR 3.1 but easy 700+ games that support DLSS 4, is there really much to think about which one to choose?

RTX 5060 Ti - DLSS 4 (or FSR 3.1)
RX 9060 XT - FSR 4 (or FSR 3.1)

That is, even if you are going to use frame gen and FSR/DLSS for more FPS and better image quality.
Maybe you're good with native and doesn't want to use those gimmicks at all.

I, personally, would use native. 60 FPS is good enough for me and i play on 1080p. I can even manage 40 FPS. Also, i play small/indie titles (including pixel art games) and i don't look towards AAA titles with fancy graphics, where frame gen and/or FSR/DLSS would be used.


Another argument would be power consumption;
RTX 3060 12GB - 170W
RX 9060 XT 16GB - 160W
RTX 5060 Ti 16GB - 180W

Making 750W Corsair RMx i linked more than enough. Both wattage and build quality wise.
With RMx, you're looking easy 10 year lifespan (it has 10 year warranty).

 

[biruz117]

Yeah... mediocre quality PSU, borderline low quality. Tier B-.
But has 7 year warranty. So, ~2 years of life on it still.

When wondering what the 8x 500W units from Seasonic are, then (by order of build quality): PRIME Fanless PX, Focus SGX, Core GX, Core GM, Core GC, S12II, S12III and A12.


Mediocre quality PSU. Tier B.

For proper PSU for gaming rig, Tier A is proper. Like: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
PSU tier list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...JWkc/edit?pli=1&gid=1973454078#gid=1973454078

Tier A- will do too, while Tier A+ is preferred.
(My 3x PCs are solely powered by Tier A PSUs. Namely, i have Seasonic PRIME 650 Titanium (Tier A+), Seasonic PRIME Ultra 650 Titanium (Tier A+) and Seasonic Focus PX-550 (Tier A). Full specs with pics in my sig.)


Then you're held back by the GPU and better GPU can give up to the same FPS uplift you saw.

Here's Nvidia option with much better, Tier A+ PSU:

PCPartPicker Part List

Video Card: Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB PCIe x8 Video Card (€469.90 @ PCDIGA)
Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2024) 750 W Fully Modular ATX Power Supply (€146.90 @ PCDIGA)
Total: €616.80

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-08-17 15:54 WEST+0100

RTX 5060 Ti vs RX 9060 XT;​

Performance wise, it comes down to individual game;

Source: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/sapphire-radeon-rx-9060-xt-pulse-oc/34.html


Personally, i'd go with Nvidia.

Nvidia drivers, usually, are better optimized than Radeon drivers are (less stutters/hiccups).
Also, RTX 5060 Ti can utilize DLSS 4, which is better than Radeon FSR 4.

Now, FSR 4 on 4K, is essentially equal to DLSS 4 in terms of image quality, but on 1440p, DLSS 4 is still better.
And there is, of course, game support issue for either of the two. FAR more games support DLSS 4 than those that support FSR 4.

Here's good article comparing the two of them,
link: https://www.techspot.com/article/2976-amd-fsr4-4k-upscaling/

While it is a long read, it has plenty of info about these two and at the end of the article, there is talk about game support.
Found also short (6min) video that compares the two as well (if you don't want to read that article);

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkGCwiEIdOA


Overall, DLSS 4 is a touch better than FSR 4, but main argument would be game support.
When you have mere 65 titles that support FSR 4, some 200 games that support FSR 3.1 but easy 700+ games that support DLSS 4, is there really much to think about which one to choose?

RTX 5060 Ti - DLSS 4 (or FSR 3.1)
RX 9060 XT - FSR 4 (or FSR 3.1)

That is, even if you are going to use frame gen and FSR/DLSS for more FPS and better image quality.
Maybe you're good with native and doesn't want to use those gimmicks at all.

I, personally, would use native. 60 FPS is good enough for me and i play on 1080p. I can even manage 40 FPS. Also, i play small/indie titles (including pixel art games) and i don't look towards AAA titles with fancy graphics, where frame gen and/or FSR/DLSS would be used.


Another argument would be power consumption;
RTX 3060 12GB - 170W
RX 9060 XT 16GB - 160W
RTX 5060 Ti 16GB - 180W

Making 750W Corsair RMx i linked more than enough. Both wattage and build quality wise.
With RMx, you're looking easy 10 year lifespan (it has 10 year warranty).

Thanks for the response. This has been really helpful.

 

[--SID--]

You don't need a new PSU and CPU for a 9060 XT! Peak power consumption of the system is about 350w. Totally fine for a 500w unit.
The worst part of the PSU is the fan. As long as it keeps turning there's nothing to worry about. If the fan fails OTP saves the unit and the system.