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Spec-Me: Capable, but not extreme. Affordable, but not budget. Casual gaming.

dangermouse425

dangermouse425

dangermouse425

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I'm looking to upgrade my monitor to a large 4k, or near-4k Ultrawide, for some impressive gaming visuals. My current GPU limits me to 2560x1600.

I've not bought a GPU since 2011/12 or so, hence the age of my current GPU. I think the rest of my system will be fine, so just looking at upgrading my GPU to cope with a new display. There is a confusing amount of choice and I don't really know what I need to spend.

I want something that will comfortably play at high, if not extreme, settings on a 4k screen. I play games like Skyrim, Fallout, Witcher 3. I know they're not new games with crazy demands, but I also want to be able to play newer games as and when they come out.

What kind of budget should I be looking at? Any recommendations on specific cards that you think may be suitable?

For reference, monitor spec-me thread: here

UPDATE: I have purchased an Acer 34" XR341CK. It's a 3440x1440 monitor at 75Hz with Freesync. Just need to buy a GPU that'll run it now!
 
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If I was going to be gaming at 4K I'd probably start with the RX5700XT (non-reference cooler) and RTX2070 Super cards as a minimum in mind - though, in theory, you can always drop down a little in spec depending on how flexible you are with individual game settings (e.g. a used GTX1080).

Also, consider keeping an eye out for a used GTX1080Ti.

A standard RTX2070 (similar to a GTX1080) might cut it with an overclock but you're then partly relying on getting lucky in the silicon lottery.

If you're not too sensitive where noise is concerned, then perhaps a reference RX5700XT might be the best value for money high-end choice right now. I'm not sure how they respond to tweaking (e.g. like the Vega cards).
 
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Ok totally patronising answer incoming.


TLDR
Don't go 4K

You're querying 4k but being mindful of a 'budget' these are currently mutuallly exclusive if talking about 60fps on ultra/high on AAA titles.

Consider that resolution takes a back bench compared to ultrawide which is far more immersive. You'll have less pixels to push too so either get more FPS or be able to do so with a less powerful or less expensive GPU.

A great resolution is 3440 x 1440
 
Had a peak at your monitor thread. Both models are 60 hz VAs (one 3440x1440, the other 4K). It's possible to get 100 hz 1440p FreeSync VA ultrawides for ~£450+ new, so I'd recommend researching that - chances are you won't go back to 60 hz once you've tried out higher refresh rates and it won't be too much more price wise than what you've been looking at.

A Radeon 5700 XT is the 'decent value' option to handle either ultrawide or 4K, particularly with the option of Radeon Image Sharpening + resolution scaling to keep frame rates up. Otherwise, money can be saved going for something like a Vega 56.
 
3t3P said:
Ok totally patronising answer incoming.


TLDR
Don't go 4K

You're querying 4k but being mindful of a 'budget' these are currently mutuallly exclusive if talking about 60fps on ultra/high on AAA titles.

Consider that resolution takes a back bench compared to ultrawide which is far more immersive. You'll have less pixels to push too so either get more FPS or be able to do so with a less powerful or less expensive GPU.

A great resolution is 3440 x 1440
Click to expand...

Not patronising at all, mate. I appreciate the response.

I think I'd be happy with a non-4k UW, because I like the idea of a large impressive screen for the immersive experience and spectacle of it, rather than the highest resolution one I can get. I suppose that means I can get a less expensive GPU. What would you recommend if I were to go with that? Both in terms of GPU and monitor?

Probably should have done this on a certain sale day they had on a rainforest themed site recently because I saw a few UWs at a decent price. Oh well!
 
If buying new then AMD 3600 on a B450 board, 16gb of 3000 or 3200 RAM with an AMD 5700XT or 2070S.

If buying used then you'll get a lot more.
 
UPDATE: I have purchased an Acer 34" XR341CK. It's a 3440x1440 monitor at 75Hz with Freesync. Just need to buy a GPU that'll run it now!

I'm thinking a Radeon 5700 XT based on several suggestions in this thread.
 
Samsung C49RG90, if you're going then go balls deep into UW man :D

:p


5700XT is a good choice, I make it work with 5120x1440 so 3440 shouldn't be much of an issue most of the time :)
 
For your lovely new 3440x1440 I'd second a 5700 XT at a minimum. It offers performance not far off a 1080 Ti for around the same price as a used example of an average quality card of that type with the benefits of a warranty. If you can push a bit further budget wise a 2070S is also a solid choice. A friend of mine games at the same resolution with a 1080 Ti and has a fantastic experience so anything similar should serve you well.
 
Ah good choice re: UW monitor!

I'm an nvdiiot so can only comment on their cards I'm afraid. I have a heavily overclocked gtx 1080 that actually does better than it ought to but I could take more power.

SO, buying now for high details over 60fps in AAA titles I'd be looking at GTX 1080Ti, RTX 2070 super, rtx 2080/super, rtx 2080ti

Sweet spot is 2070super
 
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