Question Should I sacrifice an M.2 512GB for an RTX 2060?

[SleuthX]

I could get a GTX 1660 super with a 512GB M.2, and I could also get an RTX 2060 but I'll have to go with a 240GB SSD. So what should I do in this sensitive situation?

 

[USAFRet]

I could get a GTX 1660 super with a 512GB M.2, and I could also get an RTX 2060 but I'll have to go with a 240GB SSD. So what should I do in this sensitive situation?

What do you use this system for?

What other drives will be in it?

 

[SleuthX]

What do you use this system for?

What other drives will be in it?

I have a 1TB HDD 7200RPM Seagate barracuda and a 120GB Patriot Burst SSD. I'll use the PC for open world/AAA games and even FPS games, an all rounder for as long as it can hold.

 

[USAFRet]

I have a 1TB HDD 7200RPM Seagate barracuda and a 120GB Patriot Burst SSD. I'll use the PC for open world/AAA games and even FPS games, an all rounder for as long as it can hold.

If you already have other drives, go with the better GPU.

 

[letmepicyou]

If you already have other drives, go with the better GPU.

Agreed.

 

[SleuthX]

If you already have other drives, go with the better GPU.

Is the sacrifice worth it though? I might have to wait 1 more month for the extra 8GB of ram by doing this.

 

[USAFRet]

Is the sacrifice worth it though? I might have to wait 1 more month for the extra 8GB of ram by doing this.

RAM was not mentioned in your initial question.

 

[SleuthX]

RAM was not mentioned in your initial question.

Yeah, didn't really think it'd be much relevant as I was going to get it anyways. But yeah, I might very much wait to get the extra 8 gigs of ram and play with an RTX 2060 and 8 gigs

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Get the 2060 imo. You can get more ram later and ssds are relatively cheap.

 

[geofelt]

On tom's gpu hierarchy chart, GTX1660 super is very close to a RTX2060.
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html

240gb ssd for windows is cutting it close.

 

[Tac 25]

if put in this situation... assuming the 2060 would be brand new and has warranty, I would go for the 2060 without any further thinking needed.

 

[drivinfast247]

Yeah, didn't really think it'd be much relevant as I was going to get it anyways. But yeah, I might very much wait to get the extra 8 gigs of ram and play with an RTX 2060 and 8 gigs

Just be ready for the chance that the mixed RAM gives you problems.

 

[SleuthX]

if put in this situation... assuming the 2060 would be brand new and has warranty, I would go for the 2060 without any further thinking needed.

It is new, but a PNY XLR8 uprising version though

 

[SleuthX]

Just be ready for the chance that the mixed RAM gives you problems.

I'm not mixing any ram, I'm getting the same twin stick but after a month or less.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm not mixing any ram, I'm getting the same twin stick but after a month or less.

That counts as "mixing".

Anything not sold as a specific set is mixing.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

I'm not mixing any ram, I'm getting the same twin stick but after a month or less.

You are mixing ram.

This is the issue @geofelt was mentioning. Whilst it might be the same stick with the same timings, and voltage, they are highly likely to be from different silicon. You don't get any guarantees they will work.

In fact the best advice is to buy a 2 x 8 or 2 x 16gb kit. This ensures they will work together (outside of QVL compatibility)

If I were you. I'd get a 2 x 8gb matched kit, and sell your current single DIMM to offset the cost. Why introduce instability when you don't have to?

 

[SleuthX]

You are mixing ram.

This is the issue @geofelt was mentioning. Whilst it might be the same stick with the same timings, and voltage, they are highly likely to be from different silicon. You don't get any guarantees they will work.

In fact the best advice is to buy a 2 x 8 or 2 x 16gb kit. This ensures they will work together (outside of QVL compatibility)

If I were you. I'd get a 2 x 8gb matched kit, and sell your current single DIMM to offset the cost. Why introduce instability when you don't have to?

Dude I'm getting the same 1X8 3200mhz ram I have, it didn't run out of stock

 

[USAFRet]

Dude I'm getting the same 1X8 3200mhz ram I have, it didn't run out of stock

As said multiple times above.....that IS mixing.
Adding another of the exact same kit is more likely to work, but not guaranteed.

 

[drivinfast247]

Dude I'm getting the same 1X8 3200mhz ram I have, it didn't run out of stock

Not saying you WILL have problems, just letting you know you MIGHT have problems. There's a good chance it works perfectly.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Dude I'm getting the same 1X8 3200mhz ram I have, it didn't run out of stock

You're slightly missing the point. I've outlined the reasons why. As @drivinfast247 said. They could work! They also may not work. That's the chance you take. Hopefully it works as intended for you. But at least you know now why they may not, and what to do if it is problematic.

Enjoy!

 

[SleuthX]

You're slightly missing the point. I've outlined the reasons why. As @drivinfast247 said. They could work! They also may not work. That's the chance you take. Hopefully it works as intended for you. But at least you know now why they may not, and what to do if it is problematic.

Enjoy!

Explain to me how an exact model of the ram with the same frequency and size wouldn't work

 

[logainofhades]

Unless you are getting an insanely good deal, I would not get either of those GPU's. An RX 6600 is faster than a 2060, while being priced around a 1660s. For example:

PCPartPicker Part List

Video Card: EVGA SC GAMING GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB Video Card ($277.99 @ EVGA)
Video Card: Zotac GAMING Twin Fan GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER 6 GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: ASRock Challenger D OC Radeon RX 6600 XT 8 GB Video Card ($270.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Fighter Radeon RX 6600 8 GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-01-31 13:29 EST-0500

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Explain to me how an exact model of the ram with the same frequency and size wouldn't work

I've already done that. So, the memory, although same spec, voltage and timings are most likely from different silicon. This is the key thing.

When you buy in a matched 2 x 8 or 2 x 16gb kit, those DIMMS have been tested to work together. This brings the QVL into line. The QVL is a list of ram that will work as a kit/pack od 2 or 4 DIMMS. If you buy separate DIMMs some time apart, the chances of them being on the same silicon is slim. This is where the DIMMs 'may' not work together.

By adding a single DIMM with the same specs, you are not guaranteed they will work together. You are only guaranteed it when they are from the matched kit. Most memory manufacturers will say this too.

As one of the other posters mentioned, they could work together flawlessly. But you won't know until you try. If they don't work, you know where to go.

 

[John Chesterfield]

240gb ssd for windows is cutting it close.

Not if there are other drives in the system, which in this case there are.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Yes if you’ve got other drives 240 is plenty as a boot drive. Just keep in mind when installing games or other applications point them to the second drive when possible.