Repurpose I7-860 for Gaming??

[Longspeak]

It has been suggested that I re-purpose an I7-860 PC for grandson's gaming. I'm NOT a gamer and don't know the issues.

Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 motherboard has a PCI Express X16 2.0 slot.

I read that graphics cards do NOT saturate a X16 2.0 slot???????

Considering adding GTX 1050 graphics card based on low power requirements.

Does this result in a viable entry level gaming PC or is this just a bad idea?

Your comments are appreciated.

 

[UsandThem]

It'll be fine for gaming at 1080p and under. It won't win any benchmarks for sure, and he might have to dial some of the settings back a little depending on the game, but it'll be decent.

If you're looking at putting a video card in it that doesn't need additional power supplied to it, I'd look at the GTX 1050ti in it for better performance than the stock GTX 1050 provides. Also, since those cards just launched, prices will be at full MSRP or above until the initial rush has died down. The GTX 1060 and above prices have started to settle a little, and they are more reasonable now.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/...D-Benchmarks-quot-he-will-not-surrender!-quot

 

[RaistlinZ]

What kind of games, and what resolution? The GTX 1050 is very slow, even for 1080p gaming. At least consider a 1050 Ti.

 

[Zorander]

Consider also overclocking the CPU. When I had mine, I ran it at 3.5GHz (over its stock 2.8GHz speed) and there was significant improvement in overall speed.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

It'll work fine for gaming, provided it is somewhat overclocked - the closer to ~4GHz, the better.

 

[biostud]

I had one running @3.8ghz with my 7990. But a gtx 1050ti or RX 470, should be a fine gamer, especially with some overclocking of the cpu.

 

[Longspeak]

Thanks for your thoughts. I will start with the I7-860 for the grandson and if that doesn't meet needs, will upgrade. The plan is for us to do this together early Thanksgiving week. I should order the graphics card next week.

I have been reading and trying to come up to speed on graphics cards the last several days and recognize I need help.

If I spend up to $200 for the graphics card, the 1050 ti, 1060 3GB, and currently a MSI RX 480 4GB appear to be in price range.

Comments please on which card to buy please and preferred brand if appropriate.

I appreciate your help.

 

[radieroslaw]

GF 1060 3GB because of lesser driver overhead.

 

[UsandThem]

If I spend up to $200 for the graphics card, the 1050 ti, 1060 3GB, and currently a MSI RX 480 4GB appear to be in price range.

Comments please on which card to buy please and preferred brand if appropriate.

I appreciate your help.

If you go the RX 480 or GTX 1060 route, just make sure your PSU is capable of running those cards. While neither are "power hungry", they require a bigger PSU with free PCIe cables for additional power (6-pin or 8-pin differs on the card).

The nice thing about the GTX 1050ti (outside the lower performance compared to the other two options) is it is powered through the motherboard PCIe slot.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Remember though, overclocking it will bring the performance a new card needs.