Question Time to build new or limp by with a new GPU?

[aranel72]

My current system is quite old now. I built it about 9 years ago so I've been fighting back the itch to replace it for many years now. Over the life of the system I've only had to replace the GPU (GeForce GTX 670) when it died. I used an even older GPU from my previous PC (GeForce GTX 550 Ti).

The only reason I haven't replaced anything so far is that for the most part the system is good enough to suit my needs, which is mainly World of Warcraft. It's certainly far from optimal video settings but it's stable enough to not be a problem. I've also been using a Dell ST2410 24" 50Hz monitor that's about the same age.

I decided to buy a new monitor - the Samsung 32" Class CR50 Curved Full Monitor - at an affordable price from Sam's ($199). While the refresh rate is still a bit low (60Hz), I don't have a system that can really take advantage of anything faster.

Everything works great with the new monitor, but now I'm wondering if I could get better performance with a step upgrade to mid value GPU (e.g. RX 560 XT for $279) using the old system that could easily transfer to a new system in 2021, or is it better to wait until GPU prices drop to replace the whole system with a better GPU?

Current system specs:

• GPU - Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti
• CPU - Intel Core i5-3350P Ivy Bridge Quad-Core 3.1GHz (3.3GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 69W BX80637i53350P Desktop Processor
• Power Supply - SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
• Motherboard - ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
• RAM - CORSAIR Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
• System Drive - Intel 330 Series Maple Crest 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) SSDSC2CT120A3K5
• Data Drive 1 - Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB
• Data Drive 2 - Western Digital Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive
• Case - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (10.0, Build 18363)

 

[JWade]

if i had that system, i would upgrade the GPU, possibly add 8gb more ram, i know its ddr3, but 8gb more will be fairly cheap. then down the road, upgrade to a new mobo/cpu/ram and re-use everything else.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you can find an RX 5600XT for $279 or around that, go for it! That should be much improved over your GTX 550 ti card.

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,

Since your use is for gaming that benefits a GPU, a new GPU would make the most sense. That new GPU will also translate well into the next system too. I would not bother investing any more into the system other than re-usable items like SSD/GPU. And for now, GPU is it. There are some options in the $300 USD range that are not horribly over-priced. RX 580 with 8GB RAM is sub-$300 on Amazon right now.

Very best,

 

[VirtualLarry]

RX 580 with 8GB RAM is sub-$300 on Amazon right now.

That's around 2X the price that it should be normally.

If OP can find an RX 5600XT for $279 (basically list price), SNATCH IT! Those are going for $400+ on ebay.

 

[MalVeauX]

That's around 2X the price that it should be normally.

If OP can find an RX 5600XT for $279 (basically list price), SNATCH IT! Those are going for $400+ on ebay.

I agree if one can get the 5600XT for $279, get it. I've yet to see it just sitting on a commercial website for that. Where are you seeing it for that price? Do you have an URL to share?

As for your comment on the RX580, maybe you meant used or refurbished, but it's never been that low new. I could be wrong. But it's never been $150.

Find the best price on Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 Gaming HDMI 3xDP 8GB | Compare deals on PriceSpy NZ

Compare prices on Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 Gaming HDMI 3xDP 8GB.

pricespy.co.nz

Very best,

 

[VirtualLarry]

As for your comment on the RX580, maybe you meant used or refurbished, but it's never been that low new.

You used to be able to get RX 580 4GB for $140, and RX 580 8GB for $180-220. Maybe 1-2 years ago? After the 'mining craze' crashed the first time, there was a severe glut of Polaris cards on the market. You could pick them up used for $60 for a 4GB, and $80-100 for an 8GB. I wish that I had. I got rid of mine for super-cheap too.

Edit: I could be thinking of the RX 570 rather than the RX 580, but I think that there wasn't much of a price difference between the two, back then.

 

[aranel72]

I agree if one can get the 5600XT for $279, get it. I've yet to see it just sitting on a commercial website for that. Where are you seeing it for that price? Do you have an URL to share?

Tom's Hardware mentioned to not pay more than about $279 for the 5600XT...
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gpus,4380.html
...but did qualify that statement about GPU scarcity (which I overlooked). Indeed, I'm not finding it anywhere at that price.

I was aiming to spend around $300. I'm not opposed to going higher (~$400) so long as it'll work on my system. The last thing I want to do is overspend on a GPU that offers no real benefit...like putting a Ferrari engine in a Ford Pinto. .

Is there a GPU you'd recommend in that price range that's a bit more available, or should I just keep hunting for deals when prices eventually (hopefully) drop?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, for an Ivy Bridge quad-core i5 CPU, I wouldn't go much above a GTX 1660 / Super / Ti, or an RX 5600XT, maybe an RX 5700/5700XT IFF you can get one closer to MSRP than the lower-tier card.

Basically, try not to overspend / get "scalped" too much on a card. GTX 1660 is MSRP $219, GTX 1660 Super is MSRP $229, GTX 1660 Ti is MSRP $279, RX 5600XT is MSRP $279 (but it's faster in most things than GTX 1660 family, with the possible exception of strongly-CUDA apps like Folding@Home), RX 5700 was $350, RX 5700XT was $400.

If you can get a RX 5700XT for $430-450, you're doing well (some are selling for over $600-700 on ebay), slightly above MSRP, but still what I would consider within the limits of "reasonable" markup, given the circumstances. Also, know that 3rd-party AIB cards have their own "premiums" built-in, for example, MSI's "Gaming X" variety of each of these cards carries around a $30-40 "premium". (So, an MSI GTX 1660 ti 'Gaming X' model might be $300-310, which again, is actually a reasonable price, don't pay more than $400 for one.)

Also, and they are hard to find these days, try to snag a *refurb* GTX 1660 / Super / Ti from Newegg, they may be priced at the MSRP of a "new" card, but at least they will still be way-cheaper than most "scalper" prices.

For "legit" ebay dealers, look for Newegg, BestBuy, Zotacusa, EVGA_official, Starlit_Partner (MSI), and a few others, PlatinumMicro and Antonline are legit sellers. Don't forget about B&H's own web site too. Stock is slim, but "swellcells" and "computer.hq" on ebay are also good surplus dealers. Ascendtech too, but they've traditionally been focused on refurb mobos, and not so much GPUs.

 

[Shmee]

The 5600XT is a decent card for this range. Best option I found around now is this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-ROG-S...sh=item445ed917a0:g:XhwAAOSwYMlfDuOf&LH_BIN=1

The good news, is you may be able to upgrade the CPU to a 3770k for under $70 from ebay, and then you could also add 8GB more DDR3 for fairly cheap.

 

[Shmee]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-ROG-S...sh=item46a547e06c:g:9ocAAOSwdQFeBfSu&LH_BIN=1 may be an even better buy, for the money.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Those are both decent deals, @Shmee , good find, thanks! Both from Newegg on ebay (very legit seller, of course), both Asus ROG STRIX family cards (top-tier, somewhat of a premium even without the gouging and scalping going on). Both are slightly gouged on the price, but considering the seller, that's likely to be the BEST that you can do at this moment, if you want "New" cards.

 

[MalVeauX]

Is there a GPU you'd recommend in that price range that's a bit more available, or should I just keep hunting for deals when prices eventually (hopefully) drop?

Unfortunately its really hard to buy a GPU and not overpay for it right now. The market was upset before and its really upset right now, between mining destroying the GPU market and it not recovering and then this COVID supply disaster adding to an already messed up market. We are now experiencing what it's like to live in countries that have poor trade lines and huge taxes on imports and we basically have low supply and the demand is high so the prices are climbing. It's too easy to tell you to get a used or refurb, unfortunately, you'll find used/refurb prices are almost the new price or higher than some new prices because they're available and they can command a price they want because someone who's impatient is willing to pay. Scalping is a dirty habit that has spawned from the already poor market conditions to just make it worse. If you're patient you can probably get a card at an ok price. But it will take waiting. Otherwise, you will overpay likely, as we all are right now.

So instead of sending you on an endless chase looking for something that doesn't exist, just looking at the big chains with return policies, things that are actually available right now:

XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS 8Gb DDR5 ($240 shipped, sold by Amazon, ships from Amazon, in stock Jan so you can get in line):

https://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-1386MHz-Graphics-RX-580P8DFD6/dp/B06Y66K3XD/ref=

Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 8Gb DDR5 ($260 shipped, sold by Amazon, ships from Amazon, in stock right now):

Amazon.com: Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 Gaming 8GB Graphic Cards GV-RX580GAMING-8GD REV2.0: Computers & Accessories

Buy Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 Gaming 8GB Graphic Cards GV-RX580GAMING-8GD REV2.0: Graphics Cards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Finding any nVidia card in stock and near an ok price is poor odds right now. While a 1660 would be a good buy if it were available and appropriately priced, they're almost all over priced if even available. So for similar price, if you're going to overpay, you might as well be looking at the RTX 2060 in the $400~$500 range. It will just take time shopping. Otherwise, get in line somewhere for a RTX 3060 Ti ($399 MSRP) and see if you can get in line on one somewhere close to its MSRP price as that would be the best card for cost likely, if you ever can find one. That's the issue though, finding one. Your best bet on a 3060Ti is likely at Best Buy with in-store-pickup to get one, somewhere.

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3060 Ti EAGLE Graphics Card

Buy Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3060 Ti EAGLE Graphics Card featuring 1665 MHz Core, 4864 CUDA Cores, Ampere Architecture, 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 14 Gb/s Memory Speed, 256-Bit Memory Interface, HDMI 2.1 | DisplayPort 1.4a, 7680 x 4320 Max Digital Resolution, PCIe 4.0 x16 Interface, WINDFORCE 2X Cooling...

www.bhphotovideo.com

And then just do the notification and get in line and wait a while, but maybe get it at MSRP.

Very best,

 

[VirtualLarry]

Finding any nVidia card in stock and near an ok price is poor odds right now. While a 1660 would be a good buy if it were available and appropriately priced, they're almost all over priced if even available. So for similar price, if you're going to overpay, you might as well be looking at the RTX 2060 in the $400~$500 range. It will just take time shopping. Otherwise, get in line somewhere for a RTX 3060 Ti ($399 MSRP) and see if you can get in line on one somewhere close to its MSRP price as that would be the best card for cost likely, if you ever can find one. That's the issue though, finding one. Your best bet on a 3060Ti is likely at Best Buy with in-store-pickup to get one, somewhere.

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3060 Ti EAGLE Graphics Card

Buy Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3060 Ti EAGLE Graphics Card featuring 1665 MHz Core, 4864 CUDA Cores, Ampere Architecture, 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 14 Gb/s Memory Speed, 256-Bit Memory Interface, HDMI 2.1 | DisplayPort 1.4a, 7680 x 4320 Max Digital Resolution, PCIe 4.0 x16 Interface, WINDFORCE 2X Cooling...

www.bhphotovideo.com

And then just do the notification and get in line and wait a while, but maybe get it at MSRP.

That's actually a pretty decent idea. If you're going to get a card, might as well attempt to get the best one that you can get, within your budget.

And given the current state of things, you might actually have better luck finding an RTX 3060 ti in stock, than finding a GTX 1660 Super at MSRP. Who knows.

I did manage to snag a refurb GTX 1660 (vanilla) Ventus OC model for $229, and a Gigabyte GTX 1660 Super for $239, and a GTX 1650 D6 model for $169, last week or so. All @ Newegg.

I do check their stock multiple times a day though.

 

[MalVeauX]

That's actually a pretty decent idea. If you're going to get a card, might as well attempt to get the best one that you can get, within your budget.

And given the current state of things, you might actually have better luck finding an RTX 3060 ti in stock, than finding a GTX 1660 Super at MSRP. Who knows.

I did manage to snag a refurb GTX 1660 (vanilla) Ventus OC model for $229, and a Gigabyte GTX 1660 Super for $239, and a GTX 1650 D6 model for $169, last week or so. All @ Newegg.

I do check their stock multiple times a day though.

I had issues with a Radeon driver on a card last year, it did weird things in AVI playback and after a lot of research it was Radeon driver related. This was in a HTPC at the time that doubled as a Steam box. Wasn't having that. Was lucky at the time to get a 1660 Super for about the same price. A year later, you'd think this "old" cards I was buying would be affordable, but now they cost more than what I was seeing back then. It's sad.

At this point, if I were desperate, I'd have to just pony up on a card in budget range, and those options on eBay above are good shots in desperate times.

But if I were not desperate, I'd just get a 3060Ti at BestBuy and wait for the stock drop and get it at MSRP. Drive to some local city to pick it up. Reddit threads are full of people doing this successfully and driving significant distances just for pickup, but it ensures they get it instead of the shipping fiasco problems.

Very best,

 

[aranel72]

Thanks y'all for some great advice. I think I'll go for the 3060Ti once available, but will keep an eye out for good deals on the others.

Happy New Year!