Fastest graphics card to put with i3-6100

[box o rocks]

The above says it all. I'm looking for the fastest card that will not be bottlenecked by the i3-6100. I game at 1080p, 60 HZ. I have a 500W PSU with a +12V rail rated for 40 amp/480W

 

[cdabc123]

budget?

 

[BadActor]

You could run a GTX 970 or R9 390 without issue. With your PSU the 970 looks to be the better option.

 

[adventg]

Evening,

(The following is relevant if you're on a budget!)

I recently completed a new build using an i3-6100, paired with the new GTX 950. Specifically an EVGA GTX 950 SC (the small single fan version for ITX builds).

Happily runs 1080p @ 60Hz on max settings in most games; games like Arma 3 and Crysis 3 however you can expect lower than that obviously - but the GPU is still the bottleneck, not the CPU! The i3-6100 is the gem of the i3 range IMO, especially in terms of price/performance!

 

[Epicness937]

a 960 is the best card i can think of for that cpu i think a 970 would be bottlenecked but im not 100% sure

 

[box o rocks]

Thanks for all the responses.

@ BadActor
The GTX 970? Really? If the GTX 970 is a possibility, I will defenitly give that a look. I think the R9-390 is too much for my 500W PSU, tho.

As for budget, I planned on $250. But if the GTX 970 is a possibility, I may save up more. Is the i3-6100 really capable of running that much card without CPU bottleneck?

 

[cdabc123]

on some games the i3 will do just as good as a i7 on some it will struggle. for card just get the best you can afford you will see the payout. a 970 is prob best for your psu

 

[BadActor]

Thanks for all the responses.

@ BadActor
The GTX 970? Really? If the GTX 970 is a possibility, I will defenitly give that a look. I think the R9-390 is too much for my 500W PSU, tho.

As for budget, I planned on $250. But if the GTX 970 is a possibility, I may save up more. Is the i3-6100 really capable of running that much card without CPU bottleneck?

You have to remember how strong the i3 single core performance is. There's a video on YouTube where where they test it against other Skylake CPU's, using an overclocked Titan. Granted, the Titan is seriously hobbled by the i3, but what is amazing was that it still delivered good performance. It also shows the effect of higher speed RAM . A 970 won't be nearly as restricted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSU0UWFCa1Y