Video card recommendations
Posted by curi0us_carniv0re@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 23 comments
So I put together a "gaming" computer for my son a couple of years ago.
It was mostly parts I scavenged from a dead computer that was given to me by a friend who decided to upgrade instead of repair. It turned out to need a new motherboard.
I kept the cpu, ram and GPU.
CPU: i7 8700k
RAM: 32GB Kingston 2666mhz
GPU: GTX 1080ftw
Motherboard: Z390 Pro 4 P4.70
PSU: Corsair 750W
The computer has been more than fine for the games the boy plays. He's 10 years old so doesn't want/need the bleeding edge of performance.
But today the 1080 died in spectacular fashion (smoke and sparks / flames)
Everything else appears fine. Computer boots up using the onboard video and works fine.
So I'm looking for recommendations on a new video card. I think it's worth upgrading to something newer but I don't want to spend 5-600 bucks. Wondering what you guys think would give the best bang for the buck for the next few years?
Looks like I can snag a 3070 8gb new for about $300.
Thoughts? Stick with Nvidia or switch to amd?
I know if I have to decide I'll just buy a 5070 and keep it when I build him a new machine lol
blackburn26@reddit
You have plenty of problems when a VGA dying this way. Double check the PSU, the cables and every component very carefully. I suggest you buy a new high quality set of cable for the next GPU.
Also, the maximum benefit from the current system you can get is an RTX 2080/2080 Ti. Going higher only worth it if you play on a beautiful 2K or 4K monitor. Those are factory built that is natively PCIe 3.0 and won't cause any loss of performance or some random glitch.
curi0us_carniv0re@reddit (OP)
I'll check the voltages tomorrow..
Also, Ive just been browsing Amazon but the 2080s are either used or more expensive than a 3070 🤔
blackburn26@reddit
Most of them are used since they're RTX 20-series. The best designed of this era is the RTX 2070 Super. At 1080p, it is still very capable for gaming. Of course, you can always aim for higher end GPU. But my point is, they're not worth it pairing with your i7-8700K system.
curi0us_carniv0re@reddit (OP)
I get what you're saying but for the same price I'd rather have a new unused card. Even if the cpu is a bottleneck were still talking about probably 200fps or more in the games he plays and I'll still have a card I can continue to use in a future upgrade.
Inevitable-Ask-4499@reddit
I think RTX 3080 ti should be good
hurdeehurr@reddit
Great card but too power hungry IMO when a 9060xt can keep up. I'm not a big fan of the 9060xt for other reasons but still.
MundaneConcert7890@reddit
9060xt 16gb.. best bang for your buck
MundaneConcert7890@reddit
Wanting to stay with old cheaper, 6700xt
FahboyMan@reddit
6700xt is great and cheap second hand price, also, 12 GB VRAM.
Gorkat31@reddit
A 3070 is better than a RTX 5060, which is more than $300.
Encouragedissent@reddit
Its not though, the 5060 benchmarks better on most games
Ordinary_Breath_8732@reddit
I’d go for the 3070 at ~$300, that’s a solid upgrade from a 1080 and will handle 1080p/1440p easily for a few years
only downside is the 8GB VRAM, but for a 10-year-old’s games it won’t really be an issue
if you want better longevity, a used RX 6700 XT / 6750 XT is also worth a look for the extra VRAM
Encouragedissent@reddit
I wouldnt pay $300 for a 3070 though. Looking at recently sold on ebay is a good way to gauge the value of a used item, and most are selling for around $200. You even see 3070ti have been selling for around $280-300. They are trying to really overcharge OP.
WingerRules@reddit
Might be worth it to get a 4070, can find them for 440 on eBay, has 12gb vram and supports frame generation. Frame generation in particular will help make the card way more useful in a lot of games.
RJsRX7@reddit
3070 or 9060 XT or really even a 3060. 3060 would be a sidegrade for the most part, but should at least be inexpensive.
I'd avoid the 4060, 3050, 5050/5060 types because of the older platform, same with the Intel B570/B580.
Nosferatu_V@reddit
B580 gang rise up 😎
ExoCaptainHammer82@reddit
3060 would be slightly better, conditionally better than a 1080ti. But also conditionally worse than a 1080ti. I made the switch last summer on my 5800x system and have been regretting not having 5060ti or 3080 money ever since.
But the 3060 works in cyberpunk, works in MechWarrior 5, and works in fallout 4. Without any issues. A ten year old won't notice where it lacks.
Intelligent_Owl6582@reddit
9060xt, great value and a decent upgrade: https://www.amazon.com/XFX-Swift-Radeon-Gaming-RX-96TSW16BQ/dp/B0FC2XXSG5?crid=5V74AZ2UE5CR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3cBpZxsImjrMKcBxWmU38uGF8NHLriDqa5RYVYyeELbgQPUCl9zNMYvOUkw-T7Kj_EZNZEE8vNavolI3qXFVLz9091oM9V0A7fRig4q_a8EnIn1xi_HHV9OMmWuYBYI96u272JE3imXHQJ8XSVAWzXd2CwQvjDK7zdyfy9iDR45uinJQIQdt6aUv-d96QE_xj-WZpJWoEIxwUo6gqlOZM1HOY_ypazNVu9jlV4msBd0.3_7bRYgyBbEtHuWF2kGW_x1Hx7rKbIgciumCzEmiYfg&dib_tag=se&keywords=9060xt+16gb&qid=1776560230&sprefix=9060xt+16%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1&linkCode=ll2&tag=aarworks-20&linkId=f82952d9968435cf0217f1d0a65bd0cf&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Arcangelo_Frostwolf@reddit
3070 great with that and the power supply is powerful enough for it
horrorpages@reddit
5070 is not even worth it anymore. I got a 5060 Ti 16GB for $280 in January. I refuse to look at the prices now. I'm curious if you can still find pre-builts where the parts retail greatly higher than the whole. That'd be my first look for these days for a GPU and some fresh RAM.
Effective_Acadia_635@reddit
I got a somehow new asus 3070 on ebay for 250 a few months ago. I upgraded from an rx 6650xt and really glad I did. The 3070 is a great card.
raresteakplease@reddit
3070 should be fine in an old build, I had a used 2080 blow up in my pc last year as well, it was the LED connector that heated up and started flaming. Buying a used card without LEDs will minimize the risk, which were reported on the 2080 I had.
curi0us_carniv0re@reddit (OP)
Honestly I think it was the same thing with this card. Little 4 pin connector on the back end of the card is where it looks like it came from. Lol