GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

Thanks for the tip, I'll go look into 🙂

Found the best deal on a GTX 1070 on Craigslist for about $1300--$467.

granitegardener said:you can find a decent GTX 1070 on Craigslist for about $1300--$467.

There's no warranty, and you have no idea if you're buying a total lemon that was used for mining 24/7.

Alexander Moore67 said:Without a warranty or any way to know if you're just buying a pig in a poke, it's a gamble.

Depends on how much warranty is left.

A decent card—meaning nothing bottom-tier—that spent its life strictly undervolted isn't necessarily a disaster. Cards like the RX 580 or GTX 1070 were pulling about 100W during mining, so it's not the end of the world.

That card originally hit the market back in 2016, so there's really almost zero chance someone bought it in 2018 and still has any kind of warranty left on it.

Alexander Moore67 said:That card came out in 2016. Slim chance anyone bought it back in 2018 and still has any kind of warranty left.

What I said applies to pretty much any card. Obviously, you'll have an easier time finding an RX 580 with a warranty than a GTX 1070.

Newegg is clearing out some old stock of the Sapphire Nitro R9 390 8GB GDDR5 for $295. Since it performs similarly to an RX 570 for 1080p gaming and still comes with a warranty, I think it’s worth grabbing even if it is a bit of a power hog...

It's a solid deal provided there's a warranty included. My only concern is the power supply and the case—you can't afford to cut corners there. It needs to be high-quality, serious hardware, not some cheap junk...

For gaming, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GAMING OC 6GB 192-bit WINDFORCE 3X, featuring 3xDP and 1xHDMI, is a solid choice. A guy at the local Best Buy recommended it while I was putting my rig together, and after browsing some YouTube reviews, it seems most gamers are pointing toward this card too.
$733.

It’s a solid card, sure, but honestly, the GTX 1660 Super is a much better value since it performs almost identically and usually ends up being cheaper by a decent chunk of change. That said, you didn't get fleeced because $733 is actually a pretty fair price for a high-end cooler like that one. A top-tier cooler of this caliber would easily cost that much, if not more...

Timothy Kim60 said:The card is fine, but honestly, an RTX 3060 would probably be a better value since it's nearly identical and usually ends up being a few dozen dollars cheaper. Still, you didn't get ripped off; $733 the price is fair for a high-end cooler like that one. A top-tier cooler on its own could easily run you that much, if not more...

He might not have had that specific model on hand, but at least he didn't scam me. I was upfront about being a total amateur when it comes to this stuff and told him I didn't really know the going rates.

So they were definitely priced higher elsewhere.🤔

Is there any real difference between the ASUS Dual RX 5600 XT and the Challenger version? They’re currently on sale at a local Best Buy near me, but the PowerColor Hellhound is $167 more expensive. I'm planning on putting some cash down upfront and financing the rest, so ordering online isn't really an option for me right now.

I haven't come across any direct head-to-head comparisons yet, but if I had to make an educated guess, it shouldn't perform any worse than the Challenger; after all, the Challenger is basically their entry-level cooler.

Hello everyone,

I fear I might actually lose my mind and hurl this entire machine out the window before I finish building it! 😵

Here is the situation. I am assembling a PC and I am down to the final step: installing the GPU. This is where everything has fallen apart. I look at these cards and I can make absolutely no sense of the endless sea of names, models, and versions. Just when I think I have found one, I stumble upon a review that tells me, "Absolutely not!" Instead, they suggest a "Ti" model. Then I find another one where they swear by God that the "Ti" version is a mistake and I should just stick to a standard OC model.
Trying to navigate online comparisons has become a total nightmare. Instead of dreaming about anything pleasant, I spend my nights haunted by a chaotic mess of XFX, OC, Ghost, Ti, Palit, Zotac, Storm, Pulse, TX, Super Twin, 5500 GTX, Pegasus... it never ends. 😁

In short, I need a graphics card that can actually handle modern games decently. I don't need
extreme overclocking capabilities, nor do I need to crank every setting to Ultra—but I certainly won't settle for Low or Medium settings just to get a playable frame rate. I want something that doesn't stutter, has reliable drivers, and is whisper-quiet; I don't want it sounding like a neighbor using a leaf blower next door. Aside from gaming, I will also be doing some light video editing.

** Current specs:

• An OC 750W power supply with a 6+2 pin connector for the GPU if necessary.
• Processor is an i7-4790K (stock, not overclocked).
• Motherboard is an ASUS H81-Plus.
• RAM is G.Skill DDR3, 2x4 GB (dual channel).
• Case is a Corsair Crystal Series Case.
• Windows 10 64-bit.
• Intel SSD 250GB + Seagate HDD 500GB.
• Dell UltraSharp (1920x1080)—likely with DVI or HDMI input.

For now, I have an old Radeon R7 200 with 1GB of RAM sitting in a drawer, but I can't use it because I am building this machine specifically to perform well under pressure until we can get it delivered safely. 😁
My absolute maximum budget is $767, though that is only if it is the only way to ensure this configuration runs like a dream. Anything less than that would be a massive win. As they say, "less is more." 🤣 For example, somewhere between $xy and $1600. $567 I would prefer GDDR6 memory, and if 8GB isn't strictly necessary, 6GB is fine, or even 4GB if needed. The most critical constraint is the length; it must be no longer than 27 cm to fit in the case without a struggle. There isn't room for anything else in there—not even dust!

(!!) I need this ready for shipment by 2:00 PM this Friday. I don't have a specific brand preference, but I refuse to put some bottom-tier, junk manufacturer inside this build. Oh, and the card must come with a warranty. As for everything else, I'll take responsibility myself; if it doesn't work, so be it. 🙂

Can anyone please help me?

The GTX 1660 Super is the perfect call for your budget and current setup. You shouldn't run into any bottlenecking issues, and at this resolution, you should be able to crank everything to max settings and still pull at least 60 fps.
Honestly, I don't think you'll need anything else beyond this.

https://www.adm.com/product.asp?produ...37;2E100%2E512

The only reason to spend a few extra bucks is if you want a beefier cooler.
Just toss in another 8 GB of RAM, install Windows 10, and you're set with this rig for another 5 or 6 years.

urbanheron4 said:Given the price point and your current setup, the GTX 1660 Super is quite clearly the ideal choice. Should you encounter any significant bottlenecking? I highly doubt it. At this resolution, even with everything cranked up to maximum settings, you should easily be pushing at least 60 FPS.
I suspect you won't be needing any more of this, will you?

Is there truly any point in browsing through these listings if one isn't prepared for the inevitable disappointment? I find myself staring at this product page on the Adm website, wondering why we even bother looking for deals that seem just out of reach. Does anyone actually believe they can find a bargain in this market without feeling a sense of profound exhaustion? It’s all just endless scrolling through specs and prices that never quite align with reality.

Unless you're prepared to shell out an extra couple hundred bucks for a superior cooler, you aren't getting much more. Is a better thermal solution really worth that kind of premium?
If you simply add another 8 GB of RAM and migrate over to Windows 10, can you really say you're set? In my estimation, that should keep this machine functional and reliable for at least another five or six years. Is it enough? Perhaps. But it’s certainly better than doing nothing.

Well, that finally took long enough—I actually needed a specific model and some actual data! Thanks !! But honestly, why did you have to jump straight to the most expensive option? 😁
I was just browsing their website, looking over that link you sent me, when suddenly a Storm popped up right in my face. Isn't that just typical?
I am truly saddened to have to ask this, but what exactly is the difference between "your OC" model and the Palit GTX 1660 Ti StormX with 6GB of GDDR6? Is there anything beyond that? $33Is it actually worth the investment? $33 What is the actual difference when using this Storm model? Are we just talking about minor nuances in benchmark scores and perhaps some negligible 0.5% margin, or is there some actual logic behind that price gap? Honestly, this question has been driving me absolutely insane for days.

Look at this. I am staring at two identical graphics cards, and frankly, it’s enough to drive a person mad. How can they be exactly the same? Is anyone actually paying attention anymore? To Adm. I am at a loss. What exactly are you attempting to communicate? LinksSo, tell me—is there actually a measurable difference here? Or am I just chasing ghosts? Do you truly understand the sheer frustration gnawing at me right now? 🎉

Just grab this one from Links. Don't bother with those single-fan models... this is basically the cheapest GTX 1660 Super you can find with dual fans. I actually picked one up last Friday to replace my dead RX 480. Honestly, the 1660 Super is plenty for you; you don't need the 1660 Ti. The price jump just isn't worth it.

Thanks for all the advice and guidance, everyone! I'm heading out for some shopping tomorrow morning. 😛
The PC build is complete and everything is functioning perfectly, though I've currently got an old GPU slapped in there just to run stability tests. I managed to pick up two Molex-to-3-pin adapters to power those two extra case fans. Honestly, I was already prepared to suffer without them. ☕ Since the motherboard only features a single 4-pin header, this was definitely 🙄
.
Here is my shortlist. If you don't get back to me by morning, I might just end up making a very questionable decision. 😁

1. Gainward GTX 1660 Ghost OC 6GB - GDDR5 = $650
2. Gigabyte GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB - GDDR6 = $710
3. Gainward GTX 1660 SUPER Ghost OC 6GB - GDDR6 = $733
4. ASUS Dual RX 5600 XT, 6GB - GDDR6 = $757

Don't bother with that first one at that price point. It isn't even the top-tier version, which means it's stuck with GDDR5 memory. It’s just too slow.
I'm not sure exactly where you're shopping, but that Gainward card from Best Buy that analogtiger19 mentioned is a decent deal. Honestly, your best bets are either that one or the Gigabyte model I suggested. The Gigabyte is a bit pricier, but it comes factory overclocked right out of the box, which isn't a bad thing.

urbanheron4 said:Don't touch that first option for that kind of money; it isn't even the premium version, which means it uses slower GDDR5 memory. It’s just sluggish.
I have no idea where you are shopping, but that Gainward card from Best Buy that analogtiger19 mentioned is a decent enough deal. In my estimation, you should either grab that one or the Gigabyte model I suggested to you. It costs a bit more, but it comes factory overclocked right out of the box, which isn't a bad thing.

Fine, that settles it.
I just reserved it at Best Buy. I'm picking up "your" Gigabyte GTX 1660 Super OC tomorrow morning. That Ghost model (no. 47) is excellent too, but since the price difference is negligible, I'll go this route.

On another note, I spent today driving around, behind, in front of, above, and below the Best Buy 😁 There wasn't a single damn parking spot to be found. They had chains stretched out both in front of the store and across their own lot. To make matters worse, there were grocery vendors scattered all over the place. Just as I was about to pull up in front of the service center, I was suddenly confronted by a parking enforcement officer. It was an immediate N>D>gasss 😁 Perhaps I would have picked up my graphics card today, but in the end, I gave up on the whole ordeal of circling the block. I've been a customer at Best Buy since they were nothing more than a small shop in a garage. I even have their loyalty card for discounts, so... luck clearly wasn't on my side regarding parking.🙄

BTW, once I uninstall all my current drivers, is simply downloading the latest ones from the web sufficient for this GTX card? Is there any other complicated nonsense I need to worry about?

I will report back with the results.
Thanks everyone!