Need help Selecting GPU for new Skylake build

[Pilsner73]

I'm building a new pc based on an Asus z170 pro motherboard and Intel 6500 processor. Looking for a capable video card for games, desktop work, browsing. Current 22" monitor top resolution is 1680x1050 but in the future may go to dual monitors with higher resolution. Currently I have an amd hd6850 card.

I don't overclock and value quiet, don't need top of the line but like a card that plays modern games well with eye candy settings turned on.

 

[tweakboy]

Grab a 760 GTX ,,,,,,,,

 

[Silverforce11]

380X, not top of the line, great value, good performance with 4GB vram.

 

[cytg111]

Sounds right.
If you dont want to wait for next gen cards riiight around the corner.
Would definitely go for GCN card if buying today.

 

[R0H1T]

380x or 390(x) depending on the resolution you're moving to &/or multi monitor.

 

[guskline]

I would wait for a few months with your older card till the Polaris drops.

 

[amenx]

I dont know why people skimp on monitors, which imo is the most important component of all. You mentioned "eye candy", well if thats important to you, then a newer, better monitor will give you more eye candy than any GPU with an old 1680x1050 (virtually obsolete res) monitor could ever do.

I would go to a store and see up close how much difference a good 24" 1920 x 1080 display can make. IMO it may serve your needs better than 2 dual 1680x1050 cheap units could. Its not only the low res of the units that would be in question, but the image quality of virtually any 1680x1050 (most likely TN) would be sub-par by any decent display of today. Good luck.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I dont know why people skimp on monitors, which imo is the most important component of all. You mentioned "eye candy", well if thats important to you, then a newer, better monitor will give you more eye candy than any GPU with an old 1680x1050 (virtually obsolete res) monitor could ever do.

I would go to a store and see up close how much difference a good 24" 1920 x 1080 display can make. IMO it may serve your needs better than 2 dual 1680x1050 cheap units could. Its not only the low res of the units that would be in question, but the image quality of virtually any 1680x1050 (most likely TN) would be sub-par by any decent display of today. Good luck.

For gaming, that is probably true, but for productivity, there is no substitute for dual monitors.

 

[maddogmcgee]

he has a monitor already though...so if he buys a better monitor he automatically has 2 monitors. Second monitor having a lower resolution is fine if its just word/chrome tabs open. If your mainly interested in work rather than gaming, getting a 1440p LCD monitor to go with your old one might be a better bet....so much better for multitasking.

 

[Pilsner73]

Thanks for the advice, Just wondering is there a great bang for the buck gpu out there currently? I figure with new tech coming out later this year maybe save some money now and upgrade in a year or two.

As for my monitor situation I do plan on new monitors in the future but currently that's what I have and will start with.

 

[R0H1T]

Thanks for the advice, Just wondering is there a great bang for the buck gpu out there currently? I figure with new tech coming out later this year maybe save some money now and upgrade in a year or two.

As for my monitor situation I do plan on new monitors in the future but currently that's what I have and will start with.

The best bang for buck are undoubtedly 390(x) & have been for a very long time, the 290(x) if you're buying used stuff, so they'll be my pick over anything else & especially since you'll very likely be upgrading your monitor resolution, alongside going multi monitor perhaps. So, if you're buying right now then there's no better VFM cards, when bought new, than the 390(x) especially when they're on sale.

Next year you'll get the big dies with price ranging from $550~750, doubt that's what you're looking into besides I don't expect the next gen cards to come in cheap at release time this year either & any major price drops will not come before Q4.

 

[Headfoot]

Don't buy now. New cards are about to come out. Wait for them to drop in June, then re-evaluate at that time. Use your 6850 in the meantime

 

[xthetenth]

For gaming, that is probably true, but for productivity, there is no substitute for dual monitors.

34" ultrawide. All the fun of dual 3.5:3 screens (how about that tall monitor lovers) with all the flexibility of a single screen and no bezels in prime real estate. Pricey though.

 

[Pilsner73]

I started this thread after a long day and I can see I made a major omission when checking the 390x video cards for sale. I forgot to include a budget number - I am thinking 100-250 range. I can spend a bit more if the card is really that good.

Thanks and apologies for not catching that sooner!

 

[R0H1T]

I started this thread after a long day and I can see I made a major omission when checking the 390x video cards for sale. I forgot to include a budget number - I am thinking 100-250 range. I can spend a bit more if the card is really that good.

Thanks and apologies for not catching that sooner!

So 380x, if you're getting an unused card otherwise 290(x) would still be great VFM. Then there's Polaris 11 which will be in the same performance bracket, the price however is anyone's guess atm.

 

[poofyhairguy]

For $250 the best card is probably a GTX 970:

https://jet.com/product/Zotac-ZT-90...GHz-Core-4-G/e7f49c84a9a34b4f87f40cfe506e5491

Add on the "SHOP15" 15% off coupon for a new customer, wave the free return, use a debit card, and BAM $250 GTX 970.

 

[Pilsner73]

Thanks for the recommendations, I am using them to do some research but is there a site I can easily compare my hd6850 to newer cards? From some quick research I am starting to see why some of you are recommending keeping it for awhile.

I am seeing some good prices on the AMD 380x series at a good price point and the gtx960 even cheaper.

I usually have been lucky to find cards in the 100-250 range that more the double the performance of my current gpu and give me all the latest features.

 

[A_Skywalker]

Thanks for the recommendations, I am using them to do some research but is there a site I can easily compare my hd6850 to newer cards? From some quick research I am starting to see why some of you are recommending keeping it for awhile.

I am seeing some good prices on the AMD 380x series at a good price point and the gtx960 even cheaper.

I usually have been lucky to find cards in the 100-250 range that more the double the performance of my current gpu and give me all the latest features.

for comparison use gpuboss.

 

[AtenRa]

WAIT FOR THE NEW GPUS.

Be patient using the HD6850, only 2-3 months left till 14/16nm GPUs.

 

[Pilsner73]

WAIT FOR THE NEW GPUS.

Be patient using the HD6850, only 2-3 months left till 14/16nm GPUs.

I plan to re purpose my current rig so that video card is going there but if I can find an older video card that still works for it then I may do that since I know usually new GPU tech means the previous tech goes lower in price.

If I don't have an older card would you recommend the 960 or the 380x video cards?

 

[Majcric]

380x over the 960.

 

[AtenRa]

380X is way faster than 960, especially in DX-12 games.

 

[Pilsner73]

Thanks, any brand preferable for 380x cards or should I ask any brands to avoid?

 

[RussianSensation]

for comparison use gpuboss.

Never. Any synthetic benchmark comparisons such as 3DMock, Unigine, is trash. The only benchmarks that matter are real world applications -- compute programs, CUDA, gaming benchmarks, crypto-currency, etc.

Most people buy graphics cards to play games. GPU Boss tells me nothing how Card A runs The Division against Card B at 1440p.

Thanks for the recommendations, I am using them to do some research but is there a site I can easily compare my hd6850 to newer cards? From some quick research I am starting to see why some of you are recommending keeping it for awhile.

I am seeing some good prices on the AMD 380x series at a good price point and the gtx960 even cheaper.

I usually have been lucky to find cards in the 100-250 range that more the double the performance of my current gpu and give me all the latest features.

If your budget stretches to $250, wait 2 months and get either a discounted GTX970/R9 390 or a next generation $249 card. Since you kept your 6850 for that long, a $230 970/390 would serve you well for a while. Right now the big discounts haven't started yet since Polaris 10 and GP104 are not out until May 31-June 15th or so.

 

[Eric1987]

34" ultrawide. All the fun of dual 3.5:3 screens (how about that tall monitor lovers) with all the flexibility of a single screen and no bezels in prime real estate. Pricey though.

That would be TERRIBLE for me. I NEED 2. I ALWAYS am doing something while gaming. ADD I guess.