[SOLVED] Best budget GPU in 2020 to pair with my i5 6500?

janak2345

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Jul 6, 2016
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Hi all,

So I built a PC back in July, 2016 with the following specifications:

CPU : i5 6500
GPU : Zotac GTX 1060 6GB AMP Edition
Motherboad : Gigabyte z170
RAM : 16GB corsair (8GBx2)
PSU : Corsair CX600 (green label - I know it is an entry lvl PSU, but tbh I have had no complaints so far)
HDD : WD 1TB @ 7200rpm

Now the problem is that I think my GPU is dying ( since a couple of weeks it has been locked at 139mhz and won't boost even to its base clock while gaming) However, sometimes if given enough load it sort of unlocks and magically starts working again..

I have tried many fixes:

reinstalled windows
used an older version of nvidia drivers
bought another PSU (Corsair TX550M) - which is basically of no use to me now and am looking to resell it

the only thing I have not tried is flashing my bios which I am not familiar with so won't touch it unless I find the perfect tutorial on how to do so..

anyway coming back to the actual question - I am considering buying a new GPU if things don't work out for my current GPU and so looking for some advice...

I need a GPU that will work hand in hand with my current CPU and neither of them would be a bottleneck for each other...

My requirements are as follows:

1080p gaming only!
Dota2 & CSGO should work flawlessly with high FPS
current AAA titles @ 1080p ultra/high with 60+fps (would not mind compromising on settings a bit to achieve the desired fps - just a bit though!)
future AAA titles @ 1080p medium/high with 60+fps (again would not mind compromising a bit on the settings)

please give me some suggestions!

Thanks in advance. :)
 
Solution
There is no such thing as "bottlenecking"
If, by that, you mean that upgrading a cpu or graphics card can
somehow lower your performance or FPS.
A better term might be limiting factor.
That is where adding more cpu or gpu becomes increasingly
less effective.

My sense is that a GTX1060 is appropriate with a i5-6500.
Here is a simple test to see if you would benefit from a faster graphics card:
Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
This makes the graphics card loaf a bit.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.
A 1660 is slightly faster than a 1060 6GB if you want similar performance. https://www.techspot.com/review/1811-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1060/

Also keep the TX550M. That CX600 is poor quality and has a reputation for failure.
was thinking the same... However, do you think there are cheaper options to consider?

Also, about the TX550M.. I am going to have to sell it if I'm going to have to buy a new GPU..
Like I said.. the CX600 even though is a poor quality PSU the fact is that I have already invested money in it and it has done me good for 4 years so I guess I'm going to have to stick with it for now.. Perhaps I can buy a better one in a couple of years when I build a new rig. :)
 
Whats your budget? Dont think theres many cards to upgrade from a 1060 6gb if a 1660 exceeds your budget unless you would be looking at the used market. A vega 56 would be a solid upgrade in your case i'd say and they are fairly cheap nowadays.
max budget is 22,000 Indian rupees..

I have trust issues when it comes to the used market so I won't go that route... Having said that, I would definitely buy a used product if say a trustworthy friend or someone was selling it, but not from the market.. no no.

vega 56 is not easily available or is very expensive if available.. I believe it sells for 30,000+ in Indian markets.. Also, wouldn't it bottleneck my 6500?
 
max budget is 22,000 Indian rupees..

I have trust issues when it comes to the used market so I won't go that route... Having said that, I would definitely buy a used product if say a trustworthy friend or someone was selling it, but not from the market.. no no.

vega 56 is not easily available or is very expensive if available.. I believe it sells for 30,000+ in Indian markets.. Also, wouldn't it bottleneck my 6500?
No it wouldnt bottleneck your cpu. The term bottlenecking is taken way too seriously than it actually is.

Can you link me some online stores you are planning to buy from as im not that familiar with indian tech part prices.
 
There is no such thing as "bottlenecking"
If, by that, you mean that upgrading a cpu or graphics card can
somehow lower your performance or FPS.
A better term might be limiting factor.
That is where adding more cpu or gpu becomes increasingly
less effective.

My sense is that a GTX1060 is appropriate with a i5-6500.
Here is a simple test to see if you would benefit from a faster graphics card:
Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
This makes the graphics card loaf a bit.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.
 
Solution
was thinking the same... However, do you think there are cheaper options to consider?

Also, about the TX550M.. I am going to have to sell it if I'm going to have to buy a new GPU..
Like I said.. the CX600 even though is a poor quality PSU the fact is that I have already invested money in it and it has done me good for 4 years so I guess I'm going to have to stick with it for now.. Perhaps I can buy a better one in a couple of years when I build a new rig. :)

TX550M is enough to even Run a RTX 2080. A friend of mine only pull 451watt usage with Watt Meter on his entire desktop at 100% usage gpu/100% cpu usage test.