GPU Recommendation Based on Current Specs?

Aside: Passmark is a good benchmark, but you should be using a gaming benchmark. I like this list because you can count tiers and know you need to move 3 tiers to really see a difference. UPDATE: forget the link. Here it is: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html

Aside 2: gtx1060 vs hd 6850 : http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1060-6GB-vs-AMD-HD-6850/3639vsm7743

gtx 1070 vs hd 6850 : http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1070-vs-AMD-HD-6850/3609vsm7743

You are going to be happy with either of these cards. The i7-2600 you have is still a good CPU. The HD6850 was slower than the 5850, and will be killed by a modern high end card.

update 2: final thoughts. When you switch from AMD to NVIDIA, uninstall all AMD graphics software then shutdown. Remove the old card remembering to release the catch at the far end of the PCIe slot that keeps the card from pulling straight up. It's a pain, look that the HP Motherboard picture on their website to see the catch, then look at your new video card to see how it hooks in. Touch the outside metal on the power supply often while working inside the case especially in winter to discharge static. If your card needs a connector that your 460W PSU does not have there are $5 adapters on amazon. Order the adapter when you order your new card. Likely you will have plenty of free 4 pin (molex) connectors on that PSU. Here is a sample connector, you should figure out which free connectors you have and which connector you want and order that, not this. https://www.amazon.com/Link-Depot-Express-Adapter-Inches/dp/B000JWTIKC/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1482026816&sr=8-13&keywords=4+pin+++molex+to+6+pin+pcie

Hi,

"Will the 1060 and 1070 fit in the HP Elite case? Is the mobo connector compatible?" The newer cards are shorter than the old ones. Length will not be a problem. The other dimensions are architected and will fit. In one HP case I removed a brace that was designed to hold a specific video card in place so the video card PCB wouldn't crack during shipment.

PCIe sockets are really nice. The card and the MB negotiate to the best they can both do. If you plug a newer card running gen3 PCIe in a gen2 pcie socket they run at gen2 no problem. Since you are using a x16 (16 different data paths) you have 2X the paths of a 8X socket, and an 8x socket runs a modern GPU just fine. Net: you will run fine with the new card in your old MB. (aside, you can also plug an x1 board into an 4x socket, they figure out they are only using one path and it all works, likewise you can put a x16 card in a x8 or x4 socket, that works too.)

But proof is nice to have. I've put modern cards ( two gtx 960, two hd7850, one gtx 760, one hd 5850, etc) into a collection of q6600 and i7-920 based HPs without ever hitting a problem, and those MB are a bit older than yours.)

"How much of running a game at 144hz with a high frame rate is GPU vs monitor dependent?" Hugely depends on the game. Fortunately between processor tests and GPU tests you can figure out the how fast your rig will go.

"I'm leaning toward the 1060 but how much better performance will I lose out on with the 1070 specifically for CSGO?" Look at Youtube videos of CSGO with 1060 and 1070, they will show framerates. Pay attention to the video quality settings they use and remember they were capturing the video on teh same system so their system load was a bit higher than yours will be.

"The 6850 is already using a 6pin connector so I guess I won't need the adapter" Does 1070 use one or two ? Think it depends. The 1060 should only need one.

Agree on the 1080 is too much $$ and muscle for 1080p. Think the 1060 will rock. Not sure why the 120 framerate target, but some people's eyes can see the difference -- I am comfortable at 60.

"It makes sense that you would remove that brace/bracket for shipping but should I keep it installed with the new card assuming it will fit and hold the same?" for my PC I would have reinstalled it if I could have figured out a way to do so. It connected via rubber pad to the case of the HP video card, and my new card wasn't long enough for the brace to help.

"Finally I saw that these gpu's are 8pin and already come with the adapter usually?" See what the adapter does. A "two 6-pin to one 8-pin" is not going to help you since you do not have two 6 pins. If the adapter is a 6-pin to 8-pin then you are all set (but it's odd they would do that.) If the included adapter does not work for you and you need 8 pins look for something like this assuming you have 2 molex: https://www.amazon.com/Molex-PCI-E-Power-Cable-Graphic/dp/B00KTXSL22/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482190242&sr=8-2&keywords=molex+to+8+pin#customerReviews

update: to be sure, did you decide to go for the 120W gtx 1060? They come is at least three configs, single 6 pin, single 8-pin and dual 6-pin so pick your specific board then check what it needs.

Go with a 6 --> 8 StarTech PCI Express 6 pin to 8 pin Power Adapter Cable https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-Express-Power-Adapter-PCIEX68ADAP/dp/B001TK3TJY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1482413171&sr=8-3&keywords=6pin+to+8pin

Specs allow you to pull 60-75W from the MB and up to 150W from the 8-pin. But your card only draws 120W total. I don't like 6pin to 8pin because they send more current through the 12V pins that was originally allowed. I believe the connector spec has been updated to allow more current. You are pulling so much less current than the connector allows that your card really could have just used a 6-pin. Around the time your card was designed AMD was getting in trouble for pulling more than 75W from a 6-pin, so some card builders used two 6-pins or an 8 on everything. I'g guess without the AMD mess that your card would only have a 6-pin connector.

Update, it's not the wattage the adapter delviers that people worry about. The full wattage of the power supply (or PSU rail) is available to every connector. The specs are designed to limit the current through the connection. Thus more pins = same load going through more pins = less current through any given connection. That why you used two 4-pins to make a single 6-pin or 8-pin.

Good Luck, I will be off the air for about a week. Enjoy the holidays.

"Were you not aware that the Pegatron 2AB5 motherboards aren't compatible with these newer cards? " No, I was not. Did not even think to ask what MB you had or to google it because I have had no problems. Sorry your time and money is wasted.