Overwhelmed with GPU choices for 1080P gaming.

[donfm]

I built my system about a year ago with an intel i7-6700k processor on a Gigabyte gaming 7 mobo with 16gb of ram. Due to the mining craze and the obscene prices on gpus I have been using Intel onboard HD530 graphics every since. I have recently got into gaming a bit and need a GPU that will reliably do 1080P on all games. While price really isn't an object I am a bang for the buck kind of guy. I see the GTX 1050ti is a popular entry level card. I don't do 4K yet and my monitor won't support it. So I need the experts here to help me wade through. the myriad of video cards to pick one that will suit my needs. I have also looked at the GTX 1060 which seems very popular for 1080P gaming. l am a bit overwhelmed by all the choices and variations for each card. Any help or suggestions to specific cards would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nurturedhate]

It really depends on what you are wanting to spend. Usually the sweet spot would be an Nvidia 1060 6gb or an AMD 580, which ever is closest to $200. They have both been slightly below $250 recently. They perform roughly equal across all games. 580 being a hair faster, 1060 using a hair less power. After that it really depends on what games you play. If there's one game you play far more than others look for benches for it or it may even be perfectly fine with something like the 1050ti you mentioned. Once you've decided on the level of performance you need (1060/580 or lower/higher) then it's just setting up an alert on a site like slickdeals for a sale or asking around about a particular manufacturer/model of card (EVGA, Sapphirre, XFX, etc.)

 

[EXCellR8]

you could also consider some older used GPUs such as the GTX 980 or 980ti... that would give you great 1080p gaming experience and allow you to run some 4K stuff should you ever upgrade. of course if you want newer, 1060 is a great choice! RX 470/570 or RX 480/580 4GB model for HD, 8GB models for UHD

 

[el etro]

Buy a GTX 1070.

 

[UsandThem]

I would mirror what a couple of people have already suggested above. Get a GTX 1060 6 GB, or a RX 580 8 GB card. It will keep you happily gaming a 1080p for years. You could always go up to a GTX 1070 as suggested by el etro, but those cards are still selling for more than MSRP, so unless you catch a great sale, I'd personally pass on it.

 

[spdfreak]

I'm in the same boat trying to decide what to get. It looks like at the 250.00 price point, you can get a 580 4G or a 570 8G. Pros and cons?

 

[UsandThem]

I'm in the same boat trying to decide what to get. It looks like at the 250.00 price point, you can get a 580 4G or a 570 8G. Pros and cons?

The 580 is faster. If you're sticking firmly to the $250 price point, get the 4GB 580.

 

[crisium]

How is 4Gb at 1080p these days? 580 gets a bit higher framerates, but going forward into 2018 and beyond it's possible you will have to lower VRAM heavy settings such as Textures with a 4GB card.

 

[UsandThem]

How is 4Gb at 1080p these days? 580 gets a bit higher framerates, but going forward into 2018 and beyond it's possible you will have to lower VRAM heavy settings such as Textures with a 4GB card.

Not too much of a issue now, but they difference may be more noticeable with new games in the future. I'd personally spend the extra $10-$25 and get a 8GB RX 580 or 6GB 1060. That's not that much more for a card many people will use for several years.

 

[JimKiler]

The 580 is faster. If you're sticking firmly to the $250 price point, get the 4GB 580.

I am wondering if a 8GB 570 would be better than a 4gb 580 based on Tom's wolfenstein 2 review:

Granted this is at 1440p and someone let me know if I you disagree but it seems like 8GB is going to be needed for this and most future FPS games.

 

[UsandThem]

I am wondering if a 8GB 570 would be better than a 4gb 580 based on Tom's wolfenstein 2 review:

Granted this is at 1440p and someone let me know if I you disagree but it seems like 8GB is going to be needed for this and most future FPS games.

See my post above this one

 

[JimKiler]

See my post above this one

but what would you recommend if it is a 8GB 570 versus 4GB 580?

 

[UsandThem]

but what would you recommend if it is a 8GB 570 versus 4GB 580?

I personally would not go with either, but if I had a gun to my head and had to choose one, I'd pick the 4GB 580, knowing I would likely have to replace it sooner than I would like.

Comparing the 570 to the 4GB 580, is like comparing a 4GB 1050ti to a 3GB 1060. The 1060 is always going to be faster regardless of it having less memory.

 

[spdfreak]

I suspect prices are a bit higher now because it is prime gift buying time and they can get away with it. I think I'll just stick my old 6850 in the system to get it built and wait til after Christmas for prices to drop.

 

[2is]

1060 6GB or 580 8GB whichever you can get for cheaper. Those are the best bang for buck 1080p cards out there and have enough power and vram for 1080p to be viable for a few years.

Prices are high now because of mining and limited supply of memory chips. The holiday season is when you see sales, not higher prices. You won’t be saving any money by waiting until after the holidays unless it coincides with a mining dump or increased gddr supply.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

I'd go GTX 1060 6GB for $260, and I'd buy it today considering how crappy a gaming experience you're likely having on integrated graphics.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487260

My GTX 970 is still great for 1080p gaming and a 1060 6GB is about 10-15% faster. I wouldn't buy used 970 or 980 since I see used 970 for $210 or so after shipping and used 980 for $250 or so after shipping on ebay, and the 1060 6GB and 980 are extremely close in performance while the 980 has 2GB less vram and is on an older architecture.

 

[gregoryvg]

The GTX 1060 3gb gets no love but is a better card than the 1050ti (by a longshot) and is only a few dollars more.

 

[4K_shmoorK]

I'd say 980 Ti at $290 but they are starting to become scarce on the used hardware market.