3GB 1060's, what brand and model?

kristian.szeloczei · Aug 15, 2017

I've decided that a 3GB 1060 is what suits my build and budget the best, but now what? What are you supposed to look for in a graphics card with the same GPU? EVGA's Superclocked one seems to be one of the best value for performance, but doesn't it provide quite the same results as getting a cheaper 2 fan model with better cooling and overclocking that? And are these micro, single-fan cards as reliable as 2 fanned, and do they keep cool enough?

Also, never heard of Gainward, but they have a cheap 1060 that's on sale atm, is the brand any good?

Please help, nervous about my first build and not really equipped with all knowledge...
Thanks in advance!
/ Chris

Barty1884 · Aug 15, 2017

While a 3GB 1060 is a solid card, I find they're a bit of a tough sell (and I own one!). A 1050TI or 6GB 1060 are usually more "fit for purpose" options.

Anyway, assuming you're set on a 3GB 1060...
Basically, they're all based on the same GPU die, with some binned higher than others (for better overclocking).
The SSC from EVGA is one of the highest clocked from the factory, but with a single fan, and the high(er) clock speeds, overclocking headroom will be minimal.

That being said, a "cheap" card, is usually one of the lower binned of the bunch - so I wouldn't expect too much overclocking from one of those, regardless of it's cooling setup.

Single-fan cards are just as reliable, but are built for a purpose (generally, smaller ITX cases with limited room).
If budget allows, I'd always suggest a dual-fan setups where possible.

Gainward are a solid manufacturer - they're just smaller, and have less brand recognition vs EVGA, MSI etc.
Now, with a smaller company, some things leave a little to be desired sometimes (things like customer service) but from a strict "will the GPU work" point of view, a 3GB 1060 will perform identically to any other 3GB 1060 clocked the same (assuming thermals are acceptable).

I've never heard of any significant issues with Gainward cards, and if the sale price makes it a solid purchase, I'd have no problems recommending it.

kristian.szeloczei · Aug 15, 2017

Very grateful for a good anwser Barty! I seem to lean towards a Gigabyte Windforce OC, 2 fans and seems as though there's headroom enough to overclock probably further than the EVGA would allow. The Gainward is just about 16$ US less than the Gigabyte, so I'll probably spend a little more considering it's my first build and I get better warranty (2 years in fact) and probably more support if something goes wrong with the Gigabyte.

Barty1884 · Aug 15, 2017

The Windforce OC? 1.56GHz base / 1.8GHz boost?

The SSC single card is 1.607GHz base / 1.835GHz boost...

Honestly, the Gigabyte card is pretty tapped at that point with the factory OC (it's the GPU I have actually). I wouldn't expect it to push much beyond the EVGA card at all.

Not sure the specs on the Gainward? Assuming htis one?
http://www.gainward.com/main/vgapro.php?id=993&lang=en

Personally, I think that has a better *look* than the other two, and I'd give it serious consideration.
That being said, for only a $16 difference, it's hard to overlook the lower clock speed and (likely) limited Ocing headroom.

**ALSO**
If you're not in the US (and with considering a Gainward care... I'm guessing probably not?), look into where any RMA/repair centers are for any given manufacturer.
For example, I had to RMA my 1060 to Gigabyte. I'm in Canada, they're in California. Total of a little over 3 weeks in shipping/delivery/repair/return time.

Gigabyte were no problem to deal with at all, but shipping wasn't exactly cheap, and I was without a GPU for 3+ weeks.

From now on, I'll (personally) only use MSI for GPUs, simply because they have a Canadian located RMA center. Shipping to Vancouver is much cheaper and quicker. I would expect (given the anticipated repair time), that any downtime for me using MSI would be not much more than 7 days.

jimmyEatWord · Aug 15, 2017

Zotac

kristian.szeloczei · Aug 15, 2017

I would've assumed that the Gigabyte has a bit more headroom as it isn't really (at least as advertised) pushed to the limit in overclocking as the EVGA is. But hell would I know...

That's the Gainward one and I have to agree with you on looks, but the clock is indeed slow. Although, the first searches on YouTube shows one reaching 2130mHz, and another one reaching 2200mHz on the 6GB model, so perhaps it's quite underestimated. Still, the main turn-offs for me is the 1 year warranty, while I get 3 with the Gigabyte, as well as limited support with a rarer product. I'm often cheap, but even I think that this time, 16 bucks can be worth it.

Barty1884 · Aug 15, 2017

While it has a little headroom, it's not going to blow past the EVGA. It's not a bad card at all (again, I have it), but I certainly wouldn't buy it with the expectation of obtaining substantial overclocks from it.

As for the Youtube videos showing it reaching >2100MHz, I find that very, very hard to believe. If there was that much headroom on the card at reasonable voltages, you can bet Gainward would've released a card clocked higher than the competition (at least as a boost). The highest boost available from the factory IIRC is like 1.85GHz.....a FTW card I believe.

Not saying some cards don't OC well, but a stable 2100MHz+ seems unlikely - especially from the 'lower' binned Gainward cards.

Totally agree on the +$16 for a longer warranty etc.

Search

3GB 1060's, what brand and model?

kristian.szeloczei

Prominent

Barty1884

Barty1884

Retired Moderator

kristian.szeloczei

Prominent

Barty1884

Retired Moderator

jimmyEatWord

Respectable

kristian.szeloczei

Prominent

Barty1884

Retired Moderator

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page