How about looking in the used market? 4070 or even 3080? Or some nice amd gpus too, I got a 6900xt for like 400 bucks a year ago

What about a 4000 series or even a 3000 series with similar performance but older features? Looks like you could save 2-300$ going that way.

I would use whatever I have already. Current prices are insane. No one should pay such money for a video card unless their very life depends on it.