Which card ?
Which card ?
Hi
I’m looking for assistance. I upgraded my system a long time ago and thought it was top-notch back then, but now with kids around, I don’t use the PC much. Still, I’ve started gaming again at 58 years old and noticed some games are challenging for my setup, though it still runs fine.
I’m considering an upgrade to a better graphics card, but I want to avoid overcomplicating things since my gaming time isn’t huge. My current specs are:
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 6600K @ 3.50GHz | 36 °C
Skylake 14nm Technology
RAM
32.0GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1600MHz (16-18-18-36)
Motherboard
MSI Z170A GAMING M7 (MS-7976) (U3E1)
Graphics
BenQ XL2411T (1920x1080@144Hz)
4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (ASUStek Computer Inc) | 54 °C
I’m wondering what card would fit best with this configuration. I’ve heard about RTX options, but I don’t want to spend if it doesn’t work, so I’ll rely on forum advice.
Thanks in advance.
The PSU make and model (or part number) is? Its age is also important, and whether it was purchased new or used/refurbished.
To decide if you need a better GPU, try this test:
Run 2-3 games at high/ultra settings and record the average FPS.
Then repeat with lower graphical settings and observe any change.
If FPS improves significantly (more than 5 FPS), a better GPU helps.
If not much change, CPU limits performance, so a better GPU won’t help much.
Also remember that official Win11 support ends around Oct 14, and your system doesn’t officially support it.
I already upgraded my CPU and build a few days ago, with new specs listed in my profile.
It relies on what you aim to achieve and your financial situation. A platform upgrade is essential since it’s quite outdated and doesn’t support W11. The graphics card is older, but I believe a powerful GPU wouldn’t make much difference in newer games when your CPU is already constrained. It all comes down to your budget, though—upgrading to a new system and getting a more affordable used GPU could be the most practical choice.
Hi there, thank you for your message.
I’m using a PSU from Thermaltake and a Toughpower 850W unit. I’m not sure about any other details. My budget is around 250 to 300, and I’d like to upgrade the card to improve performance and possibly run it at a higher setting.
The RX 9600 XT 8GB fits within your budget for a 1080p display. However, if you plan to use a higher resolution screen (1440p or 4k), it would be better to raise your budget and consider the RX 9060 XT 16GB instead.
well as there is only about £100 between them it wouldn't be a stretch, the reason i didn't want to splash out is that i wanted to be sure my rig would run it, as i know it would be nearly impossible to return it.
It helps to have a clearer idea, but understanding the specific model matters. This affects whether you're considering a new PSU or not. Also, could you share the age of your PSU and the year you purchased it? I can help narrow things down this way. But having the exact model is ideal. And were you buying it brand new or used?
I would recommend a 9600xt 16gb model. It offers fewer driver-related problems compared to Nvidia options, and it is an x16 slot, whereas similar Nvidia cards at comparable prices are only x8, which might lead to performance drops because you're using Gen 3 PCI-E and not Gen 5, as these cards do. The card supports x16 physically, unlike the alternatives.