Rx 480 + Freesync monitor or GTX 1060?

[Jimmidk]

Hi guys.

Im thinking of buying the new Rx 480 when Sapphire bring on their custom version, and i already have a 60-75Hz FreeSync monitor.

But now i have second thoughts, because i read an article that the new GTX 1060 will be better, and probably cost the same as an AIB Rx 480.

So my question now is, get a AIB RX 480 and keep my new monitor (have 40 days return left) or buy the GTX 1060 and get a cheap second hand monitor?

Im on a budget so, getting a 144hz monitor with G-sync is not an option.

My spec is: i5-3570, 8gb DDR3 1600mhz, so i will be in no reach of 140+ fps.


Thanks, and sorry for my english

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Suggest you wait 5 days till the 1060 actually launches before beginning your decision process... and wait til both the 480 and the 1060 non-reference cards have dropped before buying.

Too bad you already bought the monitor as,m unlike G-Sync, Freesync doesn't come with the hardware module that makes ULMB possible. But having that Freesync monitor, does kinda make the 480 more attractive.

There's no equal to a 144 hz Monitor w/ G-Sync and ULMB but you said that was not possible, so id have to say wait for a non reference 480. So far, MSI's PCB designs seems to be the reviewers favorite (for the 10xx series); ... reasonable to expect the same level of technology investment on the AMD side.

And the 3570 / 8 MB is not limiting tho 16 Gb would be bettah for today's more demanding games... and nothing is bringing 140 fps in AAA games.

Again, it is STILL worth waiting for the 1060 to drop (and the non-refernce 480s) , as ... if rumor holds .... it will be faster, and nVidia cards do over clock much better so this should have the effect of driving the price of the no reference 480 down.

 

[gondo]

Keep the freesync. And since your budget is limited the RX480 is a great buy. No point in a 144Hz monitor when your budget can't get the video cards to support it. 75Hz isn't bad and if it's 1080p the RX480 will handle it fine and with Freesync it'll be even better.

 

[Jimmidk]

The "problem" is also, that i atm have NO GPU other that the integrated HD2500 from the I5-3570 cpu, so im not in the whait 6 month for price dropping mood . (I sold my R9 280X, before the launch of the RX 480 so i got a decent price for it).
I know the GTX 1060 should launch in about 5 days, and im expecting the AIB Rx 480 to hit the market at the same time. If i get a AIB RX 480, is there any company that's better that others? Have heard Sapphire is good, and gigabyte not so great (for AMD cards).

And yes i will be playing in 1080p.

 

[gondo]

I am a fan of the Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI cards. EVGA and HIS for NVidia cards are supposed to good.

Sapphire is supposed to be good but I never had luck when selling them years ago.

I like Asus, plus EKWB always makes waterblocks for the Asus cards.

 

[Oranthal]

I have a 480 I use with my Asus 1440P 144hz tn freesync panel. The system runs things like Overwatch and Dota 2 at around 70-100hz with everything maxed out. It looks great and is smooth as butter. Now with Witcher 3 and more demanding games you wont get near that at 1440p but will be fine at 1080p. Frankly I am probably swapping the 480 for a non reference and then a 490 when its out so i can get more out of my screen with all games. Team green seems to be better all around but a gsync 1440p monitor and 1070 is well over $1k let alone a 1080. So AMD it is as gaming is just one hobby. As for cards I love my Gigabyte cards as they are always silent but I have only used EVGA and Gigabyte for cards so what do I know?

 

[gondo]

Yeah at 1080p the 480 is great deal. And since you own a freesync monitor go for it. If your monitor is 1440p even better. You never mentioned the resolution of you monitor but seem to hint you'll be gaming at 1080p?

Later on you can upgrade to a 1440p 144Hz Freesync. GSync is very expensive and a $200 premium. And your 480 will be able to handle it as well, and if not that great, then that's what freesync is for in the first place. You'll be fine. If you desire more in the future jsut swap to a 490 or get a second 480 and crossfire.

What I don't like is the lack of support for GSync. Acer and Asus seem to be the only commonly available solutions. Freesync has more support and better pricing and backing from BenQ who I find make terrific monitors.

 

[Jimmidk]

Sticking with the Freesync monitor and buying an AiB RX 480 when they hit the market. Prob. going for the Sapphire Nitro+ think it looks great.

 

[gondo]

Wise decision....Last video card upgrade I did was a second AMD on the used market to match mine and crossfire. It required an upgrade to an 850W and 4 PCI-E connectors so I picked up an EVGA P2.

People buying today are lucky to get such good performance with such low power draw. The PSU requirements are low and it saves on the power bill so much it almost pays for itself. If you calculate 200W saved on a system, 8 hours a day, that's 1.6KW per day or $0.16 cents at $0.10/kwH. $57 a year saved by having a more efficient video card.

Add to that efficient Intel CPUs, very efficient Platinum power supplies, lack of CD-ROMs, very efficient SSD hard drives. Computers use way less power compared to 5 years ago. I also use a NAS to stream stuff in my house so my computer isn't on 24/hrs a day to stream movies to my living room. A NAS is 35W or so compared to 550 for a computer. The savings by not leaving my computer on all the time are pretty big. The NAS almost pays for itself. Also I only need 1 bank of hard drives for 2 computers in the house which saves more. I am envious of people buying systems today as the choices are so great.