RX 580 vs. GTX 1060 - Temperature Concerns in a Smaller Case

[kwj]

TLDR: RX 580 8GB vs. GTX 1060 6GB -- Buying a FreeSync monitor... Is the increased power consumption, heat generation, and sound generation (too cool it down) of the RX 580 worth it to take advantage of FreeSync? I am trying to build a semi-silent PC in a small case.

Hello All,

I am building my second PC after getting a great 7 years out of my first. I originally wanted a GTX 1060 6GB, but after researching monitors I am unsure. A G-Sync monitor is way beyond my budget and I kind of feel silly buying a FreeSync monitor with a GTX card even though I know it will work just fine.

That being said I started looking more into the RX 580 to maybe take advantage of FreeSync in the monitor I am interested in, (Samsung C27FG70 27"). From all my reading and YouTube watching I know the cards are very similar FPS wise. The differences I am more concerned about is the considerably higher power consumption and heat generation of the RX 580.

Some of my sources:
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/feature-amd-radeon-rx-580-vs-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1060-oc-mid-range-gpu-shootout/temperature-power-consumption-overclocking-45
https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/2882-msi-rx-580-gaming-x-review-vs-gtx-1060/page-3

One of my goals for this build is to make it relatively quiet. I will be building in the Fractal Design Define C Mini. With this case I am worried that an RX 580 would run too hot and thus be noisy to cool down. (I am planning on adding 2 140mm PWM fans to the front of the case for improved airflow regardless of GPU choice).

So if I end up getting a FreeSync monitor... is it worth the increased power consumption, heat generation, and sound generation (too cool it down) of the RX 580 to take advantage of FreeSync? I am trying to build a semi-silent PC in a small case.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Phaaze88]

I'd say yes. That's the point of a freesync monitor/AMD gpu and g-sync monitor/Nvidia gpu. To not do so is a waste of the features, as well as money(much more so with g-sync).
Unless you return the freesync monitor, you pretty much pigeonholed yourself to get the 580. To keep the monitor and then get a 1060, means you paid a little extra only for the monitor to run like a normal one without the benefits of freesync.

 

[kwj]

[quotemsg=20833567,0,2390769]I'd say yes. That's the point of a freesync monitor/AMD gpu and g-sync monitor/Nvidia gpu. To not do so is a waste of the features, as well as money(much more so with g-sync).
Unless you return the freesync monitor, you pretty much pigeonholed yourself to get the 580. To keep the monitor and then get a 1060, means you paid a little extra only for the monitor to run like a normal one without the benefits of freesync.[/quotemsg]

Thank you for your reply Phaaze88!

The last time I looked at hardware was 2011 and as far as I know G-Sync and FreeSync did not exist, thus I have never used it/seen it. In shopping for monitors I have noticed that a great deal of monitors have FreeSync because, I assume, of its open source nature. Some people must be using these monitors as normal monitors with GTX cards, no? Does everyone pair their GPUs with the appropriate monitor technology? Is the technology really that impactful to the user experience?

 

[Phaaze88]

You don't HAVE to pair the monitor with it's relative graphics card, and you wouldn't be the only one. But then you paid extra for features you can't use and the monitor will function as a normal one. With that in mind, it'd have been better to save a few and just get a normal monitor.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2974781/displays/g-sync-vs-freesync-faq-how-variable-refresh-rate-displays-make-pc-games-super-smooth.html

 

[kwj]

[quotemsg=20833804,0,2390769]You don't HAVE to pair the monitor with it's relative graphics card, and you wouldn't be the only one. But then you paid extra for features you can't use and the monitor will function as a normal one. With that in mind, it'd have been better to save a few and just get a normal monitor.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2974781/displays/g-sync-vs-freesync-faq-how-variable-refresh-rate-displays-make-pc-games-super-smooth.html[/quotemsg]

Thanks for the replies Phaaze88!

I guess the "issue" I am running into is that all the monitors I am interested in either have FreeSync or G-Sync, (I am not searching out this feature). I have not come across a "normal" monitor that I am interested in. Realistically a G-Sync monitor is out of my price range. Given that, you would recommend that I switch to an RX 580 in order to take advantage of FreeSync despite the increased power consumption, heat generation, and noise generation, yes?

 

[madmatt30]

Most cheaper gaming monitors are freesync if they're not gsync.

Its not like you have to pay any extra for them.

You wont struggle with temps in a mini c anyway irregardless.

Free sync is nice butbnot a necessity , I'd base your purchase on price only myself.

Within $20 Id take a 580 over the 1060 anyway , any more than that Id just take the 1060 as it stands irregardless of the monitor.

 

[kwj]

[quotemsg=20835099,0,1031363]Most cheaper gaming monitors are freesync if they're not gsync.

Its not like you have to pay any extra for them.

You wont struggle with temps in a mini c anyway irregardless.

Free sync is nice butbnot a necessity , I'd base your purchase on price only myself.

Within $20 Id take a 580 over the 1060 anyway , any more than that Id just take the 1060 as it stands irregardless of the monitor. [/quotemsg]

Thanks for the reply madmatt30!

Good to know the Mini C will handle the temperature alright.

Price is the barrier right now, yes. Trying to make sure I get the most out of my money and not waste or ignore possibly beneficial features. I have been doing some more reading and came across something called Radeon Chill. Do you, or anyone else, know how it compares to just regular old Nvidia architecture in terms of power consumption and heat generation?