GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

He should ditch the HDD and put a bit more toward a 500GB SSD.
Is that build from Dell?

Alexander Flores3 said:What kind of build would this be...?

•Intel Core i3 processor with integrated graphics – $250
•Motherboard: ASRock A320M-HDV R3.0 – $127
•Memory: 2x4GB – $133
•Drive: 500 GB / 7200 RPM – $100
•Case (no PSU included) – $57
•Power Supply – $83
SSD (Crucial BX500 240 GB):$95
Total:$845

Just trying to get the cheapest gaming setup possible...

Suggested changes:

Patriot Elite 2x4GB DDR4 2666MHz CL16 - $103
Kingston/Gigabyte 480GB SSD ~ $150(ditch the HDD)
A better power supply, maybe something like a Corsair CV550 - $110

Man, why did SSD prices drop so much?
I paid $333 for a 500GB drive when I built my PC about a year and a half ago.

Zachary Nguyen2 said:Man, I can't believe how much SSD prices have cratered.
When I built my rig about a year and a half ago, I dropped $333 on a 500GB drive.

It’s been a while.

Around $15 for 120GB $50
Maybe $25 for 240-250GB $83
About $40 for 480-500GB $167
And roughly $80-$90 for a 960GB-1TB $317

1gb-$0.33

I'm running a GTX 1660 Ti—does it even make sense to pick up a 144Hz monitor? I'm hoping for some sort of visual upgrade, but right now I'm stuck on a 60Hz screen... paired with an i5 6402

Honestly, you're worrying about the wrong thing here. Your CPU is going to be a much bigger bottleneck for hitting 144Hz than that GPU...

swiftfalcon89 said:Your CPU is going to bottleneck that 144Hz refresh rate way before the GPU does...

With that processor, you're better off sticking to 1440p.

When you're looking at demanding AAA titles and high-end settings, this GPU just isn't going to cut it—whether you're aiming for 1080p at 144Hz or trying to push 1440p at 60/75Hz.

Then again, most people chasing 144Hz are usually playing games where that specific CPU and GPU combo is perfectly tuned, if not outright overkill (think Counter-Strike, Dota 2, League of Legends, Overwatch, or Fortnite).

Look, an RTX 3060 is perfectly fine if you just want to hit 1440p at 60 or 75Hz.
But trying to push 1440p at 144Hz? That’s a whole different level of expensive.

Fine... I'm officially giving up on the 144Hz dream. 👍

Sent from my Galaxy S8 using the Reddit app

Zachary Nguyen2,
technology is moving so fast these days...
and Dell put this specific build together because those processors come with integrated Vega graphics... which can manage to push games like Apex, Fortnite, or PUBG at around 30 fps...

An RTX 3060 is really my only realistic option here, and honestly, $190 feels like a total steal, maybe around $0.33

Timothy Kim60 said:If we're talking about really demanding AAA titles and high graphical settings, this card isn't going to cut it for 1080p at 144Hz, let alone hitting 60 or 75 FPS at 1440p.

Then again, most people grab a 144Hz monitor specifically for those fast-paced esports titles where this CPU and GPU combo actually shines—it might even be a little overkill for games like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, League of Legends, Overwatch, or Fortnite.

That's exactly right...
once you start cranking down all the settings, you're still only seeing about 30 FPS...

Douglas Roberts49 said:Fine... I'm passing on the 144Hz 👍

Sent from my Galaxy S8 using Reddit app

Look, if you're playing multiplayer games, just go for the 144Hz. Honestly, these 24" VA monitors at 144Hz aren't significantly more expensive than the 60/75Hz ones, and you get the benefit of smoother gameplay even when you're hitting 90-100 fps. Just don't expect a constant 144fps minimum when you're running high-detail AAA titles.

@MrBeast

Use the post editing options and the multi-quote feature (it's right next to the quote button) when you want to add something or reply to multiple posts. It prevents you from cluttering the thread with duplicate or repetitive posts.

Look, there’s no reason to throw in the towel just yet; you aren't tethered to that CPU for life.
Go ahead and grab the monitor you actually want, then start saving up for a fresh platform. Alternatively, you could hunt down a used Intel Core i7 6700/7700—those chips are still solid performers for gaming today.
If it were me, I’d definitely be planning to swap out that processor. It’s going to seriously bottleneck your GPU.
I’m speaking from experience here; I’m currently running an Intel Core i5 6400, and even with a much weaker GTX 1060 3GB, I can feel it struggling in CPU-heavy titles.

I wouldn't call myself a hardcore gamer, so I don't really feel the need to jump all the way up to an Intel Core i7 7700 or an i7 8700...
When it comes to video games, I'm much more drawn to those massive open-world titles... things like Far Cry 3 or GTA 5...

I wasn't talking to you...

swiftfalcon89,

which types of video games are actually better...

First Person Shooter, RPG, TPS, or maybe an open-world style?

Since this is technically under the Video game subforum, maybe you guys should move the discussion over there.

I'm looking to upgrade my rig, so I wanted to see which parts might actually be worth salvaging for a new build.

Gigabyte 970 A-DSP3

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750

AMD FX-6300

Corsair VS 450 PSU

1x8GB Kingston DDR3 1600 RAM
1x8GB Hyper DDR3 1866 RAM

1TB WD Hard Drive (5,400rpm)
Samsung 850 EVO 250GB

Cooler Master Hyper 412

Basically, I’d sell most of this—maybe hang onto the cooler and the drive—to fund something newer (probably with a case included, since I'm rocking some old Mid Tower right now). If anyone has advice on what to grab for around $400—$1667 (thinking about using an installment plan)—let me know. I can build it myself, or just pay someone else if the extra fee isn't crazy. Just need it for streaming movies, shows, and maybe some light Video games without needing maxed-out graphics settings.

Thanks