Looking to upgrade my graphics, never done it before.

[Cucumbers]

First time I've ever owned a desktop, and the one I have is a Nvidia Geforce 8800 GTS. The thing is, I am not totally sure what a good graphics card looks like and I don't want to accidentally order one that isn't compatible with my computer or spend too much and just an "OK" card. I've been looking at the EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB FTW+. But again I'm not actually sure how good this card is. Tom's Hardware rates is best GPU for price so I hoped it would be decent. The cheaper one I've been looking at is the EVGA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Sc 4gb. My questions is, which of the two (or do you have a better suggestion) would be best? and would and would they work in my computer?


These are my specs: (let me know if I need to post anything else)
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.161011-0600)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: GA-890FXA-UD5
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 965 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.8GHz
Memory: 16384MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 16382MB RAM
Page File: 7522MB used, 24856MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 4060 MB
Dedicated Memory: 605 MB
Shared Memory: 3455 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: ASUS VE278
Monitor Id: ACI27F6
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 21.21.0013.4201 (English)
Driver Version: 21.21.13.4201
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1

 

[Slumy__57]

So I would say your decision depends on whether or not you want to upgrade other system components in the nearish future. If you plan on bumping up to a better processor at some point, I would recommend the cheapest 1060 you can get your hands on. I bought a PNY 1060 6gb for $220, and I love it. There isn't a huge difference between different card vendors, just slight clock adjustments and different cooling options/aesthetics.

If you get a 1060 with your current system, your CPU will not be able to keep up with the new graphics card. It will be a huge upgrade from your previous card, but it won't be fully utilized. If you plan on keeping your current CPU for awhile, I would save some money and get yourself the 1050 ti, or maybe even a 1050, that would be a much better pairing for your CPU.

As long as you have a free PCI-E slot on your motherboard, you will be able to use the 1050 ti with your current system, and if you have the PCI-E slot AND a 6 pin PSU connector (with a suitable power supply), you will be able to use the 1060 with your system. Power supply is something important you need to consider too, if you have a bad quality or low wattage PSU, you might not be able to get either.

 

[wh3resmycar]

you'll run into some serious CPU bottleneck with that CPU. i would advise that you build a completely new machine for this. or if you're in a limited budget. try looking at upgrading to an fx8320, which is still also outdated but better than the phenom2 on your machine. then look into upgrading the GPU.

 

[Slumy__57]

The board the OP is using is AM3, not AM3+, so getting an fx series CPU would mean a full system rebuild, in which case, you might as well go intel, which isn't a bad option. If a full system build is out of the question though, then the OP already has one of the higher end AM3 processors.

 

[wh3resmycar]

it should with a bios update. but that will be my bad as he's not even familiar with what a GPU is. but you know, we gotta offer all the available options:

http://www.gigabyte.ph/Motherboard/GA-890FXA-UD5-rev-20#support-cpu

 

[Slumy__57]

I stand corrected , I wouldn't recommend that route for someone completely new to building PCs, but like you said, its good to have some options.

 

[Cucumbers]

Thanks for your guy's input, I think I am understanding a little, I really don't know much about GPUs or what makes systems compatible with the components. If I understand right tho, if I wanted to upgrade to the 1060 I'd need to do a complete rebuild? For the 1050/1050 ti I'd need a new processor?

 

[ko888]

You could run into a problem because the GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 motherboard uses a conventional legacy BIOS. The latest generation graphics cards only support motherboards that use a UEFI BIOS. You'll end up with no video output.

 

[wh3resmycar]

Thanks for your guy's input, I think I am understanding a little, I really don't know much about GPUs or what makes systems compatible with the components. If I understand right tho, if I wanted to upgrade to the 1060 I'd need to do a complete rebuild? For the 1050/1050 ti I'd need a new processor?

it's all from a budget perspective, considering the processor that you have right now is quite outdated, you will be losing potential performance from a current GPU if you put it in that rig. Some of it can alleviated by upgrading the CPU but the current gen AMD FX cpus are also a bit outdated but will perform better than the phenom.

If your budget permits a new rig, then go ahead (there's a specific section in the forums that can help you out, so long as you quote your budget).

 

[Cucumbers]

I don't think I have the budget for a new rig, but I might have enough for the 1050 TI and a processor. Depending on how much a processor that would work with my system that is. Any suggestions?

 

[Cucumbers]

Or another way, whats the best graphics card I could get with my current system?

 

[pete_101]

Or another way, whats the best graphics card I could get with my current system?

The real problem with your system, as already mentioned, is the legacy BIOS. Most of the newer cards won't work without an UEFI BIOS. A good match for your system would be a GTX 750Ti......however it doesn't compare to the 1060, or even really the 1050 in performance, so if you upgrade the rest of your system in the future the card might be too weak. The other option is a higher end pervious generation, sometimes the refurbished cards go for cheap, like the GTX 960 or 970.

 

[Cucumbers]

So the game I play is The Elder Scrolls Online. Would the GTX 960 or 970 be able to run the game without any problems?

 

[pete_101]

So the game I play is The Elder Scrolls Online. Would the GTX 960 or 970 be able to run the game without any problems?

Yes, easily. It would be your CPU that would be the limiting factor, unless you upgrade that too. The best way to check out what a graphics card can do is simply go to Youtube, enter the game and graphics card and you'll find lots of videos showing the performance.

 

[dontlistentome]

For an older system like that I recommend either an AMD RX 460 or 470. AMD cards seem to have fewer problems working with the older bios. I don't play that game so I can't comment on how much card you need but I assume it's a typical open world game, and those leverage the CPU quite a bit. So I wouldn't recommend you get anything past a 470, or a 960/1050 Ti if you go with Nvidia. I don't think anything more than those cards would help you.