Graphics card opinions

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TODDTH

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I'm finally replacing my video card and looking for a little advice. I'll note I'm pretty techy, build my own PC's, and a media server. However GPU's / video cards are the area I know the least about.

My PC is a I7-3770 with 16 GB RAM. The most intensive thing I do with it is converting some HD video files with Handbrake (reason for having an i7), otherwise its mostly run of the mill stuff. I'm not a big gamer, though every now and then I'll pick something up and play for a few months, but this is not a heavy duty "gaming rig",

I have always run 2 monitors and now have added a 3rd, 28" 4K screen. Currently in the PC is the onboard intel HD 4000, and a quite old NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX (dates back to the previous PC build and was carried forward). Neither of them will drive the 4K screen. So that has prompted me to go ahead and upgrade. So my needs are:
- drive 3 monitors at once
- one 4K two 1080p
- handle some middle level gaming on the occasion I use it.

I tend to buy the most tech that is sensible. IE until the next jump is a real jump in cost. I think I've arrived at a NVIDEA 1050/1050 Ti. The next jump adds 50% to the cost and I just don't see needing a 1060 at this point, but I'm listening if anyone thinks I'm missing the boat here. I think the 1050 may be overkill by a bit, but just seems the sensible option.

Below are my two options. They are so close in price this really is about which card is better.

If i'm understanding what I've been reading....
The 1050 has less cores and 2 GB vram, but is overclocked slightly more and has better cooling, 2 fans. The 1050 Ti has more cores, 4 GB, but not over clocked as much and a single fan.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M6X89UG/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER.

url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MF7EQJZ/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

There is quite a variety of 1050's out there, so if you think there is a better option, please let me know.

Thanks to all in advance.
 
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genthug

genthug

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Any 1050 will be fine. Just make sure you check specs to make sure it states 3 monitor support and 4k support (all of them should have it, but just to ensure that). Otherwise, I would go with the cheapest one available. A cheap 460 will also do you fine. Not as well on the gaming front, but 460s start at a lower price point than 1050s do; again just make sure you check specs to ensure 3 monitor support and 4k support.

If you are only looking at those 2 GPUs, get the 1050Ti. It will be better for your gaming.

I will note: Neither of these graphics cards will power a 4k screen. If you plan to also game on the 4k screen, a better GPU will be required in order to make it playable.
 
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TODDTH

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The 1050 / 1050 Ti both support 3 monitors. I could offload one of them to the onboard Intel HD4000 and lighten the load on the card. I'm not sold on the 1050, just seemed to be the best "not to much / not to little" approach.

I assume you mean they won't power a 4K while gaming, because the specs would indicate they do handle 4K.
 
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genthug

genthug

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Yes, I should've clarified that: not while gaming, but will in general.

Unless you're running graphically intensive things on multiple screens at once, having all three hooked up to a GPU will be fine. If you only game on one panel, having 2 other monitors hooked up won't do much to the performance of it.

If you're only looking at those two cards, go with the 1050Ti, given that it's only a few $ more than the 1050. The 1050Ti isn't an incredible jump in power from the 1050, but for the difference in price it is worth it.
 
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TODDTH

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I'm looking at the 460's now. Do you think 2 GB vs 4 GB makes much difference at this level card and usage?
 
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dontlistentome

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I can't really judge your performance needs, but I think it would be helpful to point out a couple of things. One, make sure the card has the specific outputs to match each input you require for each monitor. Two, the new Nvidia and AMD cards don't output analog anymore(DVI-I), it's all digital now. So you'd need the more expensive 'active' adapter if you were to try a DVI-D to VGA connection between card and monitor.
 
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TODDTH

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TY, fortunately this one is pretty easy for me.
I'll use the Display Port for the 4K screen. DVI to DVI for one and USB to USB for the other 1080p's.

 
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TODDTH

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Still been on the fence on this one. However, I think I decided to spring for a 1060 and know I won't be buying a video card any time soon again.

Having said that, this Gigabyte looked like the best bang for the buck having a $20 rebate.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KQUDB1S/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

This is the same money from EVGA having no rebate.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KU2CIIY/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Any other thoughts?

Thanks once again.
 
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Tpillon1225

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Just so you know, the 3gb and 6gb variants of the 1060 are different because the 3gb has a lower cuda core count. I don't know if this would bother you, but its good for you to know when deciding on a model.
 
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genthug

genthug

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The 6gb models also start anywhere from $30-50 more expensive than their 3gb counterparts.

I would go for either one. The GB one will have better cooling and thus have the possibility of handling GPU Boost 3.0 better than the mITX version from EVGA.
 
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TODDTH

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Thanks for the info and no I was not aware. The need to jump from the 1050 to the 1060 is not certain, but i'm doing it because I don't want to decide in 6 months I wish I had gone up a level. It's that idea of buying one level above what you think you need. There are limits to that theory though. If there were a compelling reason or need to jump up again, but I think it's another $30-40 to get to a 6 GB card. from the one I'm looking at.
 
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genthug

genthug

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For when you are gaming with this GPU: I will say, it may be a better gaming experience (unless you are playing low spec games) to game on one of the 1080p monitors in lieu of the 4k monitor; I would still try out the 4k monitor first and test if it is up to snuff first, however.
 
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