Get the better GPU.

You should prioritize the GPU over 16GB RAM for a budget gaming build.

Gaming is almost always GPU-bound. A faster card will give you higher framerates and let you turn up settings, which is what actually makes the experience better. 8GB of RAM is still fine for most games today, and you can always add another stick later for cheap. Swapping a GPU later means selling the old one and buying new — more hassle and more money.

The only exception is if you’re playing something that genuinely needs 16GB, like modded Minecraft or certain sim games, but even then you’d be better off with 8GB and a GPU that can actually push frames.

Future You can buy RAM on sale. GPU upgrades are a whole project.