Another 1060 gb v RX 480 8gb problem

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 12:07

Hi guys, right, I'm in a bit of a kerfuffle. Here's my little backstory....

I bought myself a new case for Christmas (Corsair 240) from MM (thanks djay) which then gave me the bug to upgrade my aging, non overclocked system (i5 2400S/P8B75 mobo/R7 260X/8gb ram/Hydro H50). Since then I've bought a Vapor-X 7950 (£70), 16gb Corsair Vengeance Pro ram (£75), 2700K (basically free as bought as part of a bundle then sold spare bits + my 2400S on), an Asus Maximus V Gene (again, bough as part of a bundle but kept cpu (2550K) and case (240 Air) for the stepdaughter), a Hydro H105 cooler (£50) and a few SP120 LED fans (new).

Right, now I've got a decent system for once, which is already oc'd to 4.6, i feel my recently purchased GPU is now a weak link. With a budget of £180ish I'm torn between a GTX 1060 6gb "Reference Design" (seen on OcUK clearance for £188) or an RX 480 8gb RS from auction for £180. Is the RS as bad as the reviews say (Bad cooling/under-volted and cruddy overclocking)? I've only ever owned one nVidia card which was a 8800 GTS 320 but definitely don't consider myself an AMD fanboy and really don't mind switching sides if the RS isn't worth buying.......

I'm open to suggestions

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 23 Feb 2017 at 12:08

You can get a new RX480 8GB for £195:

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/amd-are-celebrating-and-so-are-we.18770126/

hornetstinger · 23 Feb 2017 at 12:09

480. But go for a dual fan design, not a blower, and certainly not from the auction site.

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 12:23

Yeah, I'm definitely not considering a blower design. Have seen the Asus on our site, but its out of stock.

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 12:26

I have to be careful which version I get as I have the Corsair 240 air case, so clearance will be an issue with some 480's especially the MSI......

/\ndy · 23 Feb 2017 at 12:32

Modjo said:
I have to be careful which version I get as I have the Corsair 240 air case, so clearance will be an issue with some 480's especially the MSI......

We're in the same boat on this one.

Same case, looking for a 480 as well.

Its the GPU width which is the issue, I think Corsair states a max width of 120mm and max length of 290mm (measured mine and I could easily fit something like 310mm)
I think the only 480's that will fit are either reference models with the blower design, or the red devil (maybe).

You have to find a card where the I/O plate and PCB are flush

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 12:37

That's what I thought, hence why I've been looking at the considerably lower profile 1060's as well

/\ndy · 23 Feb 2017 at 13:20

Considered the Red Devil card? Quite long but appears to be allot more narrow than other AIB cards.

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 13:35

The red Devil is 310mm long
Corsair states for the 240 Air: Maximum GPU Length: 290mm/Maximum CPU Cooler Height: 120mm.
i have a dual rad at the front.

So I either go for the 1060 (Palit/Zotac/Reference) or a Reference 480. Bummer.

/\ndy · 23 Feb 2017 at 13:36

Well as I said, 290mm is vastly understating it.

Measure it for yourself and you'll see.

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 13:55

I've got up to 12" to play with. The Red Devil is good for height but it's 12.2" long.

/\ndy · 23 Feb 2017 at 13:58

Did you actually measure it? I had about 330mm to play with on mine (no front radiator at the bottom)

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 14:21

Yeah, measured it. I've got a dual rad in the front of my case which limits me to what I can get...

upload pic

Apache14 · 23 Feb 2017 at 15:04

Modjo said:
Yeah, measured it. I've got a dual rad in the front of my case which limits me to what I can get...

1st I had the same 7950 and its still going well in my brothers PC (amazing card)

For the extra VRAM id 100% personally go for a RX 480 8GB (nothing wrong with the 1060 6GB mind), looking at the picture id say the maximum card length for you is 290mm (you could push 300mm but then your in danger on interfering with the radiator)

Rather than the auction sites you could look at OCUK clearance deals, you can normally find a good deal there and they do come with 90day warranty

You can get a B-Grade 8GB 480 Nitro+ for £209 here (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/b-gr...ddr5-pci-express-graphics-card-bg-149-sp.html)

Or for £20 more an Asus Strix 8GB 390 here (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/b-gr...graphics-card-with-free-farcry-bg-884-as.html)

The Nitro would fit with ease (240mm long) the asus my be a squeeze (300mm long).

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 15:54

I've been looking at the Nitro and 1060 6gb for a few days now in clearance, its £20-£30 out of my price range but the mouse has been hovering over the 'buy' button.........

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 15:58

Dammit, I've just bought The Nitro.... looks like I'm heading over to the members Market to sell my 7950...

This never ends well · 23 Feb 2017 at 18:04

The nitro does not fit right (width) unless you bend the latch on the case to make it fit as it wouldn't fit in when i had my air 240

Modjo · 23 Feb 2017 at 18:20

Dammit again. Tho saying that, if its just the latch, I could always find a few screws to secure the card in 'the normal way' instead of using the latch.....

Edit: Just seen this on PC PartPicker...

host my image

koooowweeee · 23 Feb 2017 at 19:10

could have pit the rad at the top?

/\ndy · 23 Feb 2017 at 19:19

Yea that card does fit, just barely. You may need to remove the motherboard though and angle it in tho