[SOLVED] Best graphics card to go with a i5-6600k

[andrew.konrad.mackinac]

I built a computer several years ago and outfitted it with a old used gtx 460 and a new i5-6600k.

Well that old graphics card gave up the ghost in me today. So I'm in need of a new one. Sadly this was an unplanned failure so I'm not up on the graphics card market nor do I have a huge budget.

So what do you all recommend I pair with my i5-6600k? I want to make sure I don't buy more graphics card than my CPU will let me use.

 

[jay32267]

I think a GTX 1080 would be about the maximum.
I am running a GTX 1080 with an i7-980 and the overall speed of the 980 is very near your i5 even though the i5 has 4 core and the i7 has 6.
...and with the setup I'm running I find the 980 a little slow for the 1080....but not much.
It plays everything at 1080p 60 Hz ultra no problem and will do a bit more than that.
So that being said I would think a 1070 would be no problem for that i5.

 

[tennis2]

Asus RX570 4GB + 2 free games = $130 after promo code EMCTUUU29

here's some performance numbers

Jay, your CPU is limiting your GPU performance.

 

[dontlistentome]

In new cards I think any 1080p oriented card would be a fine choice. RX 570 or 580 or any flavor of 1060. On a tight budget think you'd do well to pick up an RX 560 or 1050, and no lower.

 

[jay32267]

Asus RX570 4GB + 2 free games = $130 after promo code EMCTUUU29

here's some performance numbers

Jay, your CPU is limiting your GPU performance.

Oh I know that...but not by much and I'm still maxing out everything at 1080p 60 Hz because THAT'S all I have....so it's no big deal. Plus the i7-980 is almost the max CPU for that MB so there's not much I can do in that department. The MB is around 10 years old....but it's pretty smokin for a 10 year old machine.

 

[tennis2]

I'm just cautioning that while you likely bought a big expensive ($450-$500) GPU because your 8 year old CPU is due for a replacement soon (and/or maybe you're planning to upgrade to 1440p higher refresh rate monitor) and then you'll be able to take full advantage of the GTX1080, the OPs CPU is only 3.5 years old, and, as shown in the review article I linked, a $130 RX570 can do >60FPS on ultra settings @ 1080p when the CPU isn't in the way.

I'm not disagreeing that a GTX1070 or RTX2060 would extend the useful life since they're massively overpowered for 1080p/60Hz gaming, but they're also 2x the cost for a 50% performance improvement over the RX570.

 

[jay32267]

Actually I moved the 1080 from an i7-7800x machine to make room for an RTX 2080 Ti.
The i7-980 previously had a GTX-1060.
....and previous to that the CPU was an i7-920
....and previous to that the 1060 the GPU was a GTX 470

 

[rcald2000]

andrew.konrad.mackinac The i5-6600K is a pretty powerful CPU, so your GPU budget is going to dictate your purchase choices. 1st and 2nd link are for GPUs. 3rd link is for a fantastic monitor that I own two of; the current price reflects a $30 discount.

GTX 1060 6GB
$209.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500454

RTX 2060 6GB
$350
* Officially releases in two days: January 15th 2019.

AOC Gaming G2590FX 24.5" gaming monitor, Full HD 1920x1080, 1ms, AMD FreeSync, 144Hz
$189.99
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160350

 

[jitendrad]

So what is your exact budget.
If your budget is under 200$ then get GTX1050 ti.
If your budget is more than that then you can consider going with 1060 or RX 580.
But considering you CPU 1060 6gb will be the best choice

 

[jay32267]

Asus RX570 4GB + 2 free games = $130 after promo code EMCTUUU29

here's some performance numbers

Jay, your CPU is limiting your GPU performance.

I stated that.

"and with the setup I'm running I find the 980 a little slow for the 1080 :