Most powerful GPU for i5 4590

Lekro44

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Oct 28, 2015
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Hello,

I'm wondering, in your opinion what would be the top NVIDIA GPU that can be used with an i5 4590 (non-k) without bottleneck?
 
Solution

Higher resolution and graphics details mainly increase load on the GPU. If you want to do 4k Ultra, you'll need a 1080 to get decent performance in games that aren't excessively CPU-intensive. If you don't mind compromising on details, then you should be able to get decent looking 4k on a 6GB 1060 but may need to experiment a bit on which visual details give you the greater visual bang per GPU usage%.
I run a 4670k and still saw major improvements moving to a 1070. I'd say even though there is a minor bottleneck at 1080p for a 1080 it's still what you'd need to run new games at max settings, and the CPU won't really be an issue there. At least a 1070 though will get you major gains over a 1060 6GB.
 
There is no such thing as "without bottleneck", you will always bottleneck on either the CPU or GPU unless you hit the game's refresh rate limit. If you play with vsync on, then the monitor's refresh rate becomes another possible bottleneck.

The real question would be: "What GPU would be the best match for an i5-4590 in games X, Y, Z at resolution XX, YY details, etc. with a frame rate in the XXX-YYY fps range" as what people usually mean to ask when asking for "the most powerful GPU" actually is "what GPU should I bother with?" The answer depends heavily on how little/much you are willing to compromise on graphics. If your expectations are highly malleable, you may be able to get away with a GT1030 or less. If you demand everything at Ultra, even a 1080Ti might not be enough, though the i5-4590 is bound to have some trouble keeping up with it in many games.

The GTX1060 is the middle-ground: not over-powered to the point that most of the GPU's performance ends up sitting idle most of the time unless you go out of your way to inflate the GPU load.
 
Thanks for the answers. More details for clarification.
I'd like to know how far I can go with this CPU. Can I do 4k gaming with it if I use it with an adequate GPU for the job? This is all in theory, as I'm wondering how long I can keep this CPU and upgrade the graphics card for future games, better resolutions than 1080p.
Do not take future GPUs into consideration now, just what we have on the market as of now.
Could there be a situation where my GPU can support the graphics settings and resolution I select but the CPU just can't keep up and I'm forced to lower the settings because of that?

Right now I'm at 1080p 60hz with this CPU and no GPU and wondering about my possibilities in the near future with this CPU.
 

Higher resolution and graphics details mainly increase load on the GPU. If you want to do 4k Ultra, you'll need a 1080 to get decent performance in games that aren't excessively CPU-intensive. If you don't mind compromising on details, then you should be able to get decent looking 4k on a 6GB 1060 but may need to experiment a bit on which visual details give you the greater visual bang per GPU usage%.
 
Solution