Upgrading GPU - a little help?

[Violinguy69]

Currently, I'm running with a Ryzen 5 1600, 16GB ram and a Raedon 560 series GPU (4GB v ram).

So, I want a new GPU, but I have a tight budget.  I need something in the $300-$350 range.  I also realize how difficult it is to find graphics cards right now.  With the research I've done, every card I've liked is out of stock or really expensive due to low stock/high demand.  I would like to get a card with 8GB GDDR6, but it's tough to find one under $400.  My main question is, would it serve me better to get a card with 6GB GDDR6 or get one with 8GB GDDR5?  Or, should I just eat it and spend the extra $50+ and get one with 8GB GDDR6?

With the card I have now, I need to turn down the graphics quite a bit to avoid frame rate drops or black screens that come with higher settings.  I also want to know what my golf courses look like to those who have better rigs.

[Deleted]

As a generic rule of thumb with graphics cards, it's best to get the best/newest card you can get your hands on at the highest point of your budget. You are right. This is easily one of the worst times for upgrading a graphics card due to the supply/demand. The lack of supply has pushed up the price of the lower end cards, and that makes for difficult bargain hunting. I am running a Nvidia 1660 Super that I purchased new in the price range you are specifying, and it is running fairly well. However, if you could hold out a little longer for prices to come down, you could pick up a 2060 that would be a definite step up. As for the 6GB GDDR6 vs. 8GB GDDR5... it's tough to say exactly without knowing every way it will be used. For games like PGA2K21, the newer/faster GDDR6 might have a slight edge, but if you play games that have a lot of mods(especially larger texture overhauls) the larger quantity of VRAM will have a slight edge. In a perfect world... 8GB+ of GDDR6 would be ideal... of course. 

Sorry if that sounded a bit like "circle talk", but that's very similar to the recommendations you would hear from Linus, Jayz2Cents, Gamers Nexus, Hardware Unboxed, etc. Best of luck in your GPU hunting endeavors! 

[Q]

Violinguy69

video ram generally helps when running games at higher resolutions and higher quality textures

so in most cases the 6GB of GDDR6 will outperform the 8GB if GDDR5 EXCEPT
when you are gaming at 1440p and above OR  you are playing a crazy demanding game like cyberpunk or flight simulator.

In this game the 6GB of GDDR6 will be better just slightly (~5fps)
ASSUMING you are referring to a 2060 (6GB) vs a 1070TI(8GB)
and ASSUMING you are running the game at 1080p on ONE monitor
@babybull I love recommending that graphics card but no one seems to agree with me lol, such a bargain. 

EDIT: 
I just realized that more VRAM wont help you plant any faster! Planting should only be affected by the clock speeds of each card and since you are a designer definitely go with the 6GB!

[Violinguy69]

I have looked at the 2060 and like it, IF I can find one at a decent price. I also like the Raedon 5600/5700XT with the same inventory issue. I'm a little concerned about the AMD cards due to the reported black screen driver issues. I'm currently having exactly those issues while designing even with the settings turned down a bit. I don't plan on playing in anything other than 1080. I won't be pulling the trigger until late in Jan or early Feb, so hopefully the prices will stabilize. I have a $100 gift card with Best Buy which will make the purchase less painful, but everything is sold out with them. Hopefully a month from now, they might have some stock.

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated!

Q @babybull

[cliffs]

Seems everywhere is in an out of stock situation. First time I have ever seen this happen. It isn't just the 2060 either.