looking to update my gpu but torn on which way to go (cheers for any help)

[jamster0212]

i've been getting the itch recently to update my pc. i currently game at 1080p but i would like to go to 1440p soon.

my current rig:

gtx 970
intel 4790k
16gb ddr3 ram
ssd 256gb
2tb hd
750w gold psu superflower

i guess my dilemma is which way to go.

my budget is around £350 but i would like to spend it in a way which i would see most performance increase for my money.

would upgrading my gpu even be the best avenue to pursue?

i was looking at 1660ti or 2060 but i'll be honest i dont know a lot. i built my pc around 5 years ago and then just stopped keeping tabs on the pc scene.

im not in a massive rush if people think waiting for something better to come along to push prices down etc im happy to wait. i saw people mention navi coming at some point but idk when.

so if it was you lads what would you do?

cheers for any help.

 

[jamster0212]

Probably an unpopular course of action for most, but you could get the monitor first and see how your 970 copes before spending additional money on a new card (depends on your fps requirements/games you play). Anyway, aside from that, a Vega 56 is a good shout and is excellent value for money. That would likely be my choice if I was in your situation. On the green team, the RTX2060 would also be a good choice.

I had a 4690k with 970 and 1440p monitor and was fine in most games with some compromises in terms of settings.

Got a 2060 and the compromises are largely gone, the odd game needs a tweak but its a good card. I didnt buy it for RTX or anything. Honestly Id still say a 970 isnt bad at all for 1080p, but at 1440p it is a nice upgrade to go for a 2060 or Vega 56.

You and I basically have the same kit, aside from the fact I have a GTX980 vs your 970. Basically I've come to the conclusion that this is just a horrid period to upgrade from our current cards in terms of getting value for dollar, particularly if you are looking to bump up a weight class or two in the monitor department. I've been eyeing a 3440x1440 ultrawide but the only card that could drive it comfortably for a few years would be a 2080Ti and I refuse to buy one of those on principle (too little gain over last gen for a ridiculous premium). So barring a massive drop in price I feel I will be waiting for at least another year. Its awful.

I also would recommend the vega 56 pulse and then put the vega 64 bios on it, the pulse is currently going for £250 plus you get 2 games with it, then youll be at 1080/2070 performance and can even sell the games and save yourself even more

No idea when Navi is showing up and short of some curveball it's not expected to be significantly faster than the current RX Vega pair. So I'd concur with above advice and grab a Vega 56 or Vega 64 - there are some AMD 50th anniversary deals on right now, and some Vega prices are quite tasty.

Hell, the Radeon VII is £600 right now

#WaitForNavi

At £350 range, you're the perfect candidate. Just 2-3 months to go now.

Second this. No point whatsoever spending just yet. Computex is just around the corner. Even if Navi launches & its not for you it may just drive the prices on other products down.

Cheers for all the input lads.
I’ll look into the 56/64 but I’m leaning towards waiting. I’ve had the card for 5 years so can’t hurt to wait a little longer. I’m just wondering in regards to performance out of these cards. Which would you go for?
Vega 56/vega 64/rtx 2060/ 1660ti?

Reason for me asking is if the prices go down with future announcements I’ll know to pull the trigger on one of the above. Any other suggestions I’d love to hear them.

 

[jamster0212]

The vega 56 with a 64 bios added to it outperforms all of these cards.

How would I flash it? I’m not that tech savvy

 

[jamster0212]

£250 for the Sapphire V56 is an excellent deal at the moment but Navi could change the playing field so if you're content to wait it could lead to a shake up in pricing if nothing else.

What sort of performance increase would I be looking at if I went with the 56 from the 970?

 

[jamster0212]

Double at least

And what about the 64? Reason I’m asking is the free games make it less of a sting and it’s within budget? Is it worth it for price / performance or would you rather save £100 ?

Cheers for taking time to reply mate.

 

[jamster0212]

For games anywhere from 40%-100% better, this is before you undervolt and overclock to get another 15% on top of that. Benches it will destroy the 970 although these are artificial scores. I would get the 56 over the the 64, but if you were spending another ton I couldnt rule out what nvidia cards in that price to consider. For £250 its the best card for its price.

Thanks for the insight mate. I’ve dabbled in overclocking etc but how / what exactly is undervolting when it comes to graphic cards.
I just get confused how you can give it less power and then it gives you more performance ?

 

[jamster0212]

XD just read that back to myself and lol'd so hard, im sorry hahahah

Now I just want a burger haha

 

[jamster0212]

IMHO 56 over 64 like others said, its piffling to turn a 56 into a 64 ish performance - and thats up at 1080 levels.

56 always has been a great chip, just lots cant see past the green team.

I won’t lie. I was guilty of being “green team” when I was shopping around and went with the 970 but from what I’ve read amd have come on leaps and bounds and I’d rather give my money to the better party on the day. How hot does a 56 run on avg if you happen to know?

 

[jamster0212]

Its bull though isnt it.. I have a few profiles for gaming and a couple for mining. To put it in perspective when it is mining flat out at good performance its only consuming 125w because its undervolted going for power efficiency settings. Similar when gaming as well as the 'Chill' setting you can toggle to reduce power consumption during your titles.

People who are spouting heat issues on the vegas have never owned them or do not know how to configure them correctly.

So I assume vega 56 would run 1440p happily?

 

[jamster0212]

Edit, there was only one, sorry, and they recommended a v56 as well.

So users say which is why I got one as I plan to game on this display sometime soon. It was just a no brainer for me as its a great gaming card but I also mine when not using the machine which I have done for some years now. I also own a 1060 6Gb so its not like I just buy team red, its just the best card for the money until you can afford a 2080 territory.

Should I be worried about the two years warranty on the pulse 56 or are they a decent card maker?

 

[jamster0212]

Sapphire are one of the best amd partners, powercolor also

Sapphire are good and do well when its AMD.

Cheers for the help guys. Come payday looks like I’ll be buying a vega 56.
Just to make sure I don’t mess up. I have a 750psu. That will defo run the card?

 

[jamster0212]

What make is it? I have a Seasonic which is solid and full tilt gaming whole system would use less than 400w (it is undervolted and tweaked though - you would be silly to leave at stock).

It’s gold rated super flower

 

[jamster0212]

no problem watso ever, I was running 2 x vegas in crossfire on a 750w

Would my cpu bottleneck a 56 at all? ( i7 4790k)