Upgrade Card Mini question

Lewmano

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Oct 18, 2014
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Hi all,

My GTX 770 seems to have died so I am looking at upgrading to the 1060 as it fits my price bracket currently. Would you guys be able to advise on the best card for the money to fit with my current setup (below). Given its a mini-ITX case I am a bit weary of potentially ordering a card which is too big!

The only addition I have to the list below is a liquid cooler which shouldn't impact space too much.


Intel i7-4790

MSI GEForce GTX 770 OC 2GB DDR5 PCie 3.0 Graphics Card (http://www.msi.com/product/vga/N770-2GD5OC.html#hero-overview)

Intel 530 120GB High Perfomance SSD

16GB RAM (Kingston 2 x 8GB DDR3-1600 (11-11-11 timing) DRAM)

MSI B85I Gen 4 LGA1150 Mini ITX motherboard
(2 slots), 1 x PCIe 3.0 x 16, 1 h/s mini PCIe, SATA 6GB x4, Realtek GB LAN, Realtek 8ch HD Audio, USB3, USB2
Antec ISK600 Mini ITX Shuttle Case (http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=706714&fid=5022033&lan=nz)
1 x slim optical bay, 2 x 2.25" HDD/SSD Trays, 3 x 3.5" HDD trays. Front USB 3/2/Audio connector

Antec Earthwatts EA-550 Platinum low noise PSU (http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=704511&fid=11&lan=us) 

Thanks

Lew
 
Solution
That case supports 12.5" graphics cards. It's a bit hard to tell from the pictures, but your liquid cooler doesn't obstruct the graphics card slot does it?

Assuming not, you can basically put whatever 1060 in there you like. Even the massive 3 fan versions (which are ridiculous on a 120W card like the 1060) don't exceed 12". Some hungrier graphics cards can be found in 3 slot, or 2.5 slot variants which won't fit in that case, but I don't believe there are any 1060s like that.

Here's the PCPartpicker list for US 1060s sorted in ascending price: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/video-card/#c=373&sort=price&page=1

While you could get an ITX variant, they're going to run louder, and I'm guessing your Platinum PSU and liquid cooler...
That case supports 12.5" graphics cards. It's a bit hard to tell from the pictures, but your liquid cooler doesn't obstruct the graphics card slot does it?

Assuming not, you can basically put whatever 1060 in there you like. Even the massive 3 fan versions (which are ridiculous on a 120W card like the 1060) don't exceed 12". Some hungrier graphics cards can be found in 3 slot, or 2.5 slot variants which won't fit in that case, but I don't believe there are any 1060s like that.

Here's the PCPartpicker list for US 1060s sorted in ascending price: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/video-card/#c=373&sort=price&page=1

While you could get an ITX variant, they're going to run louder, and I'm guessing your Platinum PSU and liquid cooler suggests you prefer a quieter rig? If that's the case, get a dual fan version with a larger heatsync. If you can use the rebate, the cheapest MSI for $220 + shipping looks fine to me.
 
Solution


Yes your assumption is right! Preferably Quieter! The cooler shouldn't impact this setup as the tubing is set on the opposite side. From this list (im UK) I have initially thought https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01K7I7M00/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1 might be best?

Thanks for your help
Lew
 

I didn't realise you were in the UK. Here's the UK list: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/video-card/#c=373&sort=price&page=1

I was about to recommend the cheapest Pailt one, which actually performs really well, but it is in fact a 2.5 slot card, so my earlier statement about there not being any 2.5 slot 1060s is wrong! It only creeps into your (non-existent) 3rd slot by a tiny bit, so it might actually fit, but it's not worth taking the risk.

That Gigabyte is fine, though there are cheaper options like this MSI 1060, which can actually be had for 200quid with free shipping if you can use the rebate: http://www.ebuyer.com/769693-msi-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1060-6gb-gddr5-oc-v1-graphics-card-gtx-1060-6gt-ocv1

Still, nothing wrong with the Gigabyte card you choose if you prefer it or shopping from Scan instead.