Graphics card upgrade

Soldato
Joined
13 Jun 2011
Posts
6,059
Hi all,

haven't updated my pc for a very long time but its starting to struggle now.

not looking to spend mega bucks on an upgrade but looking for the best option.

my current specs are

980ti starting to struggle now :(
3770k (4.7ghz stable)
16gb ram

I only game at 1080p and not enough to spend on a full upgrade. so potentially an GPU upgrade? am not a brand snob so either nvidia or AMD will do.
 
Something like a 6700 XT would be a big upgrade and will last you awhile @ 1080p (it was originally marketed for 1440p). Comparison video on YouTube.

Depending on the game, you may find that you are CPU bottlenecked, which games are you having trouble with?
 
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Something like a 6700 XT would be a big upgrade and will last you awhile @ 1080p (it was originally marketed for 1440p). Comparison video on YouTube.

Depending on the game, you may find that you are CPU bottlenecked, which games are you having trouble with?

Almost anything new.

For example was playing the new starship troopers game (admittedly a beta) but as soon as any action started my frame rate plummeted. Also i tried the deadspace remake and the same thing.

I bit the bullett yesterday (after getting the hump) and ordered this


I figured i bought my 980tis (originally had 2 but one died) in 2015, so if this card will last just as long then its worth it.
 
Almost anything new.

For example was playing the new starship troopers game (admittedly a beta) but as soon as any action started my frame rate plummeted. Also i tried the deadspace remake and the same thing.

I bit the bullett yesterday (after getting the hump) and ordered this


I figured i bought my 980tis (originally had 2 but one died) in 2015, so if this card will last just as long then its worth it.

Good choice, good card .
 
Almost anything new.

For example was playing the new starship troopers game (admittedly a beta) but as soon as any action started my frame rate plummeted. Also i tried the deadspace remake and the same thing.

I bit the bullett yesterday (after getting the hump) and ordered this


I figured i bought my 980tis (originally had 2 but one died) in 2015, so if this card will last just as long then its worth it.

With a budget that big I'd have probably suggested something like this (to do both):

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £676.96 (includes delivery: £8.00)​

But eh, it is a powerful card and should last you a long while.
 
With a budget that big I'd have probably suggested something like this (to do both):

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £676.96 (includes delivery: £8.00)​

But eh, it is a powerful card and should last you a long while.

Thanks for the above.

I may end up changing cpu etc anyway depending on how bad the bottleneck is. Would prob look for a second hand setup tho.

Unless you can spec me an mboard/cpu/ram/cooler thats gonna be around £300 and significantly better than my old 3770k
 
Unless you can spec me an mboard/cpu/ram/cooler thats gonna be around £300 and significantly better than my old 3770k

You can get 32GB DDR4 for £60 (inc del) and a H610 board for £70 (inc del), which comes in under £300 with the 12400F, but I'm not keen on the compromises with H610 (even though I have one in a box right here :D ).

Alternatively, you could get a Ryzen 5600 non-X for £120, B550 Gaming X is £116 @ OCUK, plus 32GB DDR4 and it also comes in under £300.

Both configs would have to use the stock coolers.

You can see in something like this that the benefit depends on the game, older games that are happy with quad cores don't necessarily show much improvement and I imagine it'll be less with the hefty overclock on your CPU (they are using a less powerful GPU though).
 
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Thought id update this.

In the end i paired the 6950xt with

Amd 5900x
32gb of team group 8pack 3600ram
Msi meg x570
(Alll from the MM)

I already had a full loop so picked an corsair xc7 block.

Has been a good improvement all round, considering putting the gcard under water now as havent had Air cooling for years and forgot how loud it can be.
 
Thought id update this.

In the end i paired the 6950xt with

Amd 5900x
32gb of team group 8pack 3600ram
Msi meg x570
(Alll from the MM)

I already had a full loop so picked an corsair xc7 block.

Has been a good improvement all round, considering putting the gcard under water now as havent had Air cooling for years and forgot how loud it can be.
Try undervolting the 6950xt then set a custom fan curve.
 
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