Buying new GPU

MPN89 · 27 Dec 2016

Hello.

Not sure if this is the right section to post this thread inn, but here we go.

A friend of mine needs a new GPU after the one he got packed the bags and said goodbye and he now needs a new one.

He is looking at a nVida 1060 card from Gainward. But he is wondering if his setup will be compatible with the card, without any major bottlenecks or other issues.
Any tips for another GPU would be nice aswell, He got a budget around 2500kr (260 dollars) doesn't matter if its AMD or nVida

This is the build he has.

Cooler Master Elite 430 Midi Tower Black
Silver Power SP-S650 650W PSU
Intel® Core i5-3570 Processor
MSI B75MA-P45, Socket-1155
Kingston DDR3 HyperX 1600MHz 8GB
XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB GDDR5
Intel® SSD 330 Series 180GB 2.5", 25nm
Seagate Barracuda® 1TB
ASUS PCE-N15 11n PCI-E Adapter

Thanks ahead for any tips :)

Cliff S · 27 Dec 2016

A couple of things should be added to the specs when asking about GPUs,
What does he have for a monitor, what's it's maximum resolution, maximum refresh rate?
Does he plan on using VR headsets with it?
If his monitor is only 1080p or lower, with only a 60Hz refresh, and doesn't plan on being VR ready, he can get along with a lower priced, less high end one.

For my monitor, my GPU is total over-kill, but I eventually plan on getting into Virtual Reality.

MPN89 · 27 Dec 2016

He does have a 1080p 144Hz AOC G2460F. But not any big plans on the VR games.
For the games he play most of the time its CSGO, LoL and Skyrim.
So would a 1060 be a bit over kill?

clam1952 · 27 Dec 2016

Overkill slightly however it would give a bit more headroom for newer more demanding games. The GTX1050TI would be a good in between compromise.
Can't see anything that is likely to cause a bottleneck.

On overkill here as well with GTX980TI.

Cliff S · 27 Dec 2016

MPN89 said:

He does have a 1080p 144Hz AOC G2460F. But not any big plans on the VR games.
For the games he play most of the time its CSGO, LoL and Skyrim.
So would a 1060 be a bit over kill?

Not if he has 144Hz(144 FPS). GeForce GTX 1060 Graphics Cards | GeForce | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Graphics Cards | GeForce

Click 3 times to enlarge

Cliff S · 28 Dec 2016

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 Review > Gainward GTX 1060 GS - TechSpot

Around the back we find a huge full size back plate protecting the card, though the aluminum plate is pretty boring in terms of design. The I/O configuration remains standard with a single dual-link DVI output, HDMI 2.0b and three DisplayPorts.
When it came to overclocking the card we were able to push the memory up to 2302MHz while the core reached 1745MHz resulting in a boost clock of 1973MHz. However, due to the way GPU Boost 3.0 technology works, the GTX 1060 Phoenix GS spent most of its time operating at around 2.1GHz, just like the Founders Edition. Again, we weren't able to increase the voltage but the power target was maxed out at 119%.

Also he can take a look here: Gainward GTX 1060 Phoenix GS Review - Introduction

MPN89 · 28 Dec 2016

That Gainward 1060 card is a bit over his budget and same with other 1060 card with 6GB VRAM. But a 1060 with 3GB VRAM is within reach.
How much of a difference does the 3GB vs the 6GB version do while playing at 1080P on a 144 screen then if any at all?

RoadBlaster · 28 Dec 2016

i5-3570 - CSGO - YouTube - CPU looks ok in %

CS:GO Max Settings | GTX 1060 | i5 3570k - YouTube

Counter Strike Global Offensive GTX 1060 OC with i5 3570k & i7 6700k | FRAME-RATE TEST - YouTube

MPN89 · 28 Dec 2016

RoadBlaster said:

i5-3570 - CSGO - YouTube - CPU looks ok in %

CS:GO Max Settings | GTX 1060 | i5 3570k - YouTube

Counter Strike Global Offensive GTX 1060 OC with i5 3570k & i7 6700k | FRAME-RATE TEST - YouTube

So the CPU and the rest of the system should be just fine i take it? ive heared that the i5 3570 is still a really good CPU for most of the games out there today.

Just need to find the right GPU then. From NVIDA he is looking at a 1060 3gb or 1050TI 4gb. But as i understand from what Cliff said he should go for the 1060 if he wants to utilize the 144hz screen (not sure if he needs the 6bg or not tho).
From the AMD side of the bay we have no idea on what to look for. Havent been looking at the GPU market for a long time, and AMD has pushed out so many cards since last time i had a look

RoadBlaster · 29 Dec 2016

From what I have heard the 6gb 1060 is the better card & people have said the 1060 3GB version is a waste of money.

On Amazon a little note appears next to an item which is the "best seller", I go for best seller items these days...

You only have an 11% bottleneck with the 1060 which is nothing to worry about...(if it is green then ok)