should I upgrade from a MSI GeForce GTX 960?

roadkill0000

Member
Nov 9, 2015
39
1
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Hey all. Quick question. Im upgrading my 7 year old computer to a Ryzen 5, with 16 GB ddr4 ram, and a new 24" Asus monitor that goes for like $300. My graphics card however is only like 2 years old, I wanted to know in your opinion, would it be worth it get a new card now to go with my new cpu? Or would you wait a year-2-3 to and then get a new one? Will I see a great benefit upgrading now? because im a little tempted too.. I wanted some opinions, thanks.
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,225
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Well, what are you using it for? If you're gaming, you might consider upgrading, to perhaps a GTX1070 or RX 580, or wait a few months for consumer Vega to drop.

If you're not gaming, I think that card is fine.

I forget, does the GTX960 support 4K UHD HDR 4K60 on the HDMI port? If so, you're even set for 4K TVs / monitors using HDMI2.0.
 

Guru

Senior member
May 5, 2017
830
361
106
It really depends. If you plan on playing newer games at 1080p and maxed out settings, then absolutely you need to upgrade.

The cheapest option to play almost all games maxed out at 1080p at 60fps is the RX 580 8GB, alternatively you could go for the 1060 6GB, though as of right now the 580 is the much better option, with the only exception is that it can use over 80W more than the 1060 6GB.

If you want even more futureproofing and possibly dabble in 1440p, then going for the GTX 1070 is another option.

That GTX 960 was bad at start to be honest, you were the type of uninformed customer that Nvidia was relying on to get that worthless card. So its not a good card at all, even from the start it was severely underpowered for how much it cost ~ $200 or more, it should have been $150 at most.

So even an RX 580 8GB would offer you over 50% more performance, a 1070 would offer you over 75% more performance.
 

SteveGrabowski

Diamond Member
Oct 20, 2014
6,764
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Wait until the end of Computex (which goes on next week). Maybe AMD will say something about their new Vega gpus and you can get an idea whether it would be worth buying one. I would definitely buy a new gpu in the next couple of months though. Are you getting an R5 1600 as your cpu? That's the midrange cpu I'd want if I didnt want to spend the money on an i7. The extra cores (and hardware threads) really helped that chip outperform the i5 Gamers Nexus tested it against in their R5 1600 review, at least when it came to minimums (and the dips are the most important stat IMO when it comes to gaming cpus).

Guru3D is absolutely right about the 960 being hugely disappointing. When that card launched everyone here was dumbfounded they could release a 2GB card like that for $200 when you could buy a 4GB R9 290 for $230 that was around 65% faster. The GTX 960 may be the worst card for its time that I have ever seen in that price range.
 

SPBHM

Diamond Member
Sep 12, 2012
5,055
408
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960 is a decent 1080p card, not a "ultra quality" card, but close enough (it's like a 1050 basically)

it's far from to outdated or anything, it makes sense to keep it, and upgrade when you feel the need (games running to slow for your taste),
 
Aug 11, 2008
10,451
642
126
It really depends. If you plan on playing newer games at 1080p and maxed out settings, then absolutely you need to upgrade.

The cheapest option to play almost all games maxed out at 1080p at 60fps is the RX 580 8GB, alternatively you could go for the 1060 6GB, though as of right now the 580 is the much better option, with the only exception is that it can use over 80W more than the 1060 6GB.

If you want even more futureproofing and possibly dabble in 1440p, then going for the GTX 1070 is another option.

That GTX 960 was bad at start to be honest, you were the type of uninformed customer that Nvidia was relying on to get that worthless card. So its not a good card at all, even from the start it was severely underpowered for how much it cost ~ $200 or more, it should have been $150 at most.

So even an RX 580 8GB would offer you over 50% more performance, a 1070 would offer you over 75% more performance.
I definitely would not say the 580 is a "much better" option than the 1060 6gb. It is pretty a toss up depending on which is cheaper. The 470 would also be a decent option, but supply is not good right now.
 

roadkill0000

Member
Nov 9, 2015
39
1
71
ok based on what I hear im going to keep the card. probobly for atleast a year. Sounds like ill have better options if I wait a little.
I got the ryzen 5 bc I dont think I need 8 core for gaming, or 2 graphics cards. If I had the money, Id get it, but I guess its not really justifiable???
thanks for the info all.
 

Guru

Senior member
May 5, 2017
830
361
106
ok based on what I hear im going to keep the card. probobly for atleast a year. Sounds like ill have better options if I wait a little.
I got the ryzen 5 bc I dont think I need 8 core for gaming, or 2 graphics cards. If I had the money, Id get it, but I guess its not really justifiable???
thanks for the info all.
Get the R5 1600, it comes with a cooler and is cheaper than the 1600x. With a b350 mobo you can OC it to 3.8GHz on all cores and have an amazing performance.
 

Flapdrol1337

Golden Member
May 21, 2014
1,677
93
91
That GTX 960 was bad at start to be honest, you were the type of uninformed customer that Nvidia was relying on to get that worthless card. So its not a good card at all, even from the start it was severely underpowered for how much it cost ~ $200 or more, it should have been $150 at most.
Complete nonsense, it was selling at the same price as the r9 285 which performed identically, but the 960 came with the witcher 3 for a while, making it a better deal.
 

nurturedhate

Golden Member
Aug 27, 2011
1,735
647
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Complete nonsense, it was selling at the same price as the r9 285 which performed identically, but the 960 came with the witcher 3 for a while, making it a better deal.
Just because it was a toss up or slightly better deal than a 285 does not make it a good buy. More than likely the OP could have had a 290 for not much more.