How do you decide which variant of a specific GPU to buy?

[Tyler1986]

Example, say I've narrowed it down to a 1060 6GB, according to this site there are so many variants.

https://pcpartpicker.com/products/video-card/#sort=d8&X=0,29395&c=373

 

[Hello man]

Example, say I've narrowed it down to a 1060 6GB, according to this site there are so many variants.

https://pcpartpicker.com/products/video-card/#sort=d8&X=0,29395&c=373

Which one do you like the looks of? Do you want a super cool running GPU? Units with big fans on them will stay cooler and be quieter than the reference blower design look. There a re a lot of manufacturers, but none of them are fundamentally different though some might be "super clocked" , essentially with a overclock already on them.

 

[UnspokenWhale]

Several possible differences between vendors to pick from:

- Aesthetics
- Fan bearing type
- Fan loudness
- Warranty
- Backplate
- Power connectors
- Length
- Price

Performance is likely not going to be a whole lot different between the cards. Some models may have GPUs binned for better overclocking, but I don't believe there are any models of the 1060 where this is the case.

 

[dontlistentome]

I don't like to buy the cheapest one, but not the most expensive one either. So I look for someone who is offering a range of models of that type so I can buy one in the middle. For example, if a card generally starts at $140 and goes up to $170, I'd go for the one around $150. As to specific brands, well I've been into computers long enough that I have good experience with certain brands and those are the ones I choose from first.