4k 60hz GPU upgrade

Mark011

Mark011

Mark011

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Hi, I recently got back to PC gaming after a couple of years of PS4 Pro, i have a gtx 1060 3gb that needs to be upgraded, i don't play competitive games online just AAA titles. I'm looking for a card that allows me to play at 40+ fps on ultra on modern titles.

My initial thought was an RX 5700 XT, specifically a Sapphire Pulse so i can also use the trixx software if needed. Do you think is a good purchase considering that they are giving it with RE3, Monster Hunter and Xbox pass (taking off the price at least £80) or shall i go towards the 2070 Super for £100 more?

My PSU is 450w gold, so should be enough for both.
 
Mark011 said:
My PSU is 450w gold, so should be enough for both.
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I wouldn't be too sure about that, 550-650w of quality power would be more appropriate for that set up with either card. What brand and model PSU is it?

In terms of cards, I'd definitely take the Sapphire if going for the AMD card, although with you being at 4k, I'd pony up the extra for the 2070 super.

But I'd say your 450w is not enough to run that set up and be confident there's sufficient power.
 
corsair SF450 Gold, my setup with a 5700 XT should require max 380w when both cpu and gpu are at 100% (which doesn't happen unless you are benching or stuff), but i might be wrong? I'm going to get the gpu anyway, then if i have to upgrade the psu i will
 
I think it'd work given the power supply is of good quality, even though it's a little too near to the limit for my liking. However, I massively overspec power supplies as I like a quiet system. Your 380w sounds about right, I think most people would recommend a good quality 550-650w unit for that just to have the headroom, but as I say above the Corsair one should work ok.
 
I'd be reluctant running a PSU at close to capacity for extended periods of time, you'd be better off with a 550W option as a minimum, to give some headroom and extend the life of the power supply, the last thing you skimp on is the power supply as if this goes it can wreck everything else, it's just not worth the risk for the sake of a few extra £££.
 
Dave Burton said:
I'd be reluctant running a PSU at close to capacity for extended periods of time, you'd be better off with a 550W option as a minimum, to give some headroom and extend the life of the power supply, the last thing you skimp on is the power supply as if this goes it can wreck everything else, it's just not worth the risk for the sake of a few extra £££.
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He hasn't really skimped on the power supply, he bought a good quality one. It might be close to its limit when he gets the card, but it most likely isn't going to explode when he first boots with the card. Plus as it's quality, if it does go pop it's not highly likely it'd take the entire system with it.

I do agree with you that an extended period running like this is not advisable though, the OP will notice if the PSU is a lot noisier than with the old card. If it is, I'd be getting a quality PSU with my next paycheck..
 
Dave Burton said:
I'd be reluctant running a PSU at close to capacity for extended periods of time, you'd be better off with a 550W option as a minimum, to give some headroom and extend the life of the power supply, the last thing you skimp on is the power supply as if this goes it can wreck everything else, it's just not worth the risk for the sake of a few extra £££.
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when i built this pc i only needed it to play world of warcraft, and for a 1060 3gb 450w were more than enough, I would prefer to use the same psu for now, but if I will have to get a new one then i'll buy the Corsair SF600 Platinum and should be fine. It's funny to think that spending almost £100 on psu that is listed as a 450W you should worry to run it at 400w....

According to my calculation the 380w (85% PSU capacity) outage would only be possible if both gpu and cpu are used 100%, which is not the case during gaming. A more realist usage would see the GPU at 100% and the CPU probably around 30-40%, this should be around 340w power total (70% PSU capacity) ? I used to buy overkilled PSU, never had a psu less than 850W, but nowadays the psu are very efficient in my opinion.
 
Mark011 said:
when i built this pc i only needed it to play world of warcraft, and for a 1060 3gb 450w were more than enough, I would prefer to use the same psu for now, but if I will have to get a new one then i'll buy the Corsair SF600 Platinum and should be fine. It's funny to think that spending almost £100 on psu that is listed as a 450W you should worry to run it at 400w....

According to my calculation the 380w (85% PSU capacity) outage would only be possible if both gpu and cpu are used 100%, which is not the case during gaming. A more realist usage would see the GPU at 100% and the CPU probably around 30-40%, this should be around 340w power total (70% PSU capacity) ? I used to buy overkilled PSU, never had a psu less than 850W, but nowadays the psu are very efficient in my opinion.
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I agree, to an extent, but would you drive your car at 7000RPM every time you got in, of course not! It would wear the engine out prematurely, even though the car can do it doesn't mean you should ;)

I do concur that it's a lesser issue on good quality PSU's, but please remember that there's potentially hundreds of parts in there, and it only takes one that's a weak link to cause it all to go pop, I'd hate to see you back here in ~6 months saying "GAH!! PSU dun gone pop, motherboard and chip dead" etc.
 
Dave Burton said:
I agree, to an extent, but would you drive your car at 7000RPM every time you got in, of course not! It would wear the engine out prematurely, even though the car can do it doesn't mean you should ;)

I do concur that it's a lesser issue on good quality PSU's, but please remember that there's potentially hundreds of parts in there, and it only takes one that's a weak link to cause it all to go pop, I'd hate to see you back here in ~6 months saying "GAH!! PSU dun gone pop, motherboard and chip dead" etc.
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If the psu dies and kills other components is not a problem of wattage, is a problem of bad psu. In my experience if a good psu can't sustain a load it will just shut down, and that would be the sign of upgrade to a higher W psu. The only reasons why I always bought overkilled psu because they'd run fanless. But honestly I'm not too much bothered about noise at the moment, my psu is quiet enough for my ears

LiE said:
My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £470.48 (includes shipping: £10.50)
​
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my case can't fit a 3 slot card unfortunately

lee32uk said:
You will be fine with that psu. Review below shows the Sapphire Pulse 5700XT and an 8700K @5GHz pulling 315W under load.

https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/9...700-xt-pulse-oc-custom-navi-here/index10.html
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thanks for this, my estimate of 380w was because of the 2 ssd, 1 hdd and 2 rgb fans which i think are missed in the review, but is pretty close!

Btw the topic was about which GPU should i go for, not if i had to upgrade the PSU :D
 
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