Question Upgrade from GTX 970?

[Almena]

I need some ideas for those in the know.

GTX 970
i5-6600K
16 RAM

Contemplating whole new system but would prefer simple gpu upgrade if reasonable cost/benefit ratio with budget <$500

Thank you

 

[Why_Me]

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[JohnBonhamsGhost]

Contemplating whole new system but would prefer simple gpu upgrade

anything from GTX 1060 and up will be a noticeable upgrade.

what your plans are for the system would more determine what card you should be aiming for and if you should be looking at a full system revamp.
also what make & model of power supply you're currently using. many upgrade options for you may require a new PSU to go along.

what games do you play or plan on playing, what in-game settings would you like to use, what resolution would like to play at, what refresh rate / fps would you like to see, etc..?

 

[rolli59]

anything from GTX 1060 and up will be a noticeable upgrade.

what your plans are for the system would more determine what card you should be aiming for and if you should be looking at a full system revamp.
also what make & model of power supply you're currently using. many upgrade options for you may require a new PSU to go along.

what games do you play or plan on playing, what in-game settings would you like to use, what resolution would like to play at, what refresh rate / fps would you like to see, etc..?

I would say anything from GTX1660 and up but then I5 6600K is 4 core 4 thread CPU which I would upgrade before I did a GPU upgrade.

 

[Almena]

I would say anything from GTX1660 and up but then I5 6600K is 4 core 4 thread CPU which I would upgrade before I did a GPU upgrade.

This is what has me thinking new system all together would be smartest cost/benefit move.

 

[rolli59]

This is what has me thinking new system all together would be smartest cost/benefit move.

I agree with that. Current I5'S or Ryzen 5 series are massive upgrades from your 6600K.
GTX970 is still a reasonable 1080P card and could work on a newer platform if budget restrained.

 

[boju]

Agreed on system overhaul. Use 970 in meantime and see what next generation cards have to offer since they be arriving soon.

 

[Almena]

Thanks to all for the input. I got a LOT of smiles out of the 6600K and wanted to check on just a GPU upgrade but don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish at this point.

 

[Karadjgne]

Nothing wrong with a 970 at 1080p/60Hz, it'll handle most games ably, there's only recent AAA titles like cyberpunk 2077 that'll give it fits at anything over low-medium settings.

Biggest issue you face is 4 threads. Games are rising in complexity, especially multi player games and the Ai and physics are impacting core counts on a much larger scale than they were when the 6600k was newer.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

anything from GTX 1060 and up will be a noticeable upgrade.

I would say anything from GTX1660

there are many higher performing cards between the GTX 970 & 1660.
qoute your response elsewhere or provide more indepth reasoning so that the OP may better understand this environment.

wanted to check on just a GPU upgrade

what games do you play or plan on playing, what in-game settings would you like to use, what resolution would like to play at, what refresh rate / fps would you like to see, etc..

you still haven't replied with any specifics so a strong recommendation is only based on speculation.

any modern more demanding game will of course benefit from a better CPU, faster RAM, faster drive, and a more powerful graphics card.

but if you're only playing browser games or old emulated options you can get on fine with very low performance options.

 

[rolli59]

there are many higher performing cards between the GTX 970 & 1660.
qoute your response elsewhere or provide more indepth reasoning so that the OP may better understand this environment.


you still haven't replied with any specifics so a strong recommendation is only based on speculation.

any modern more demanding game will of course benefit from a better CPU, faster RAM, faster drive, and a more powerful graphics card.

but if you're only playing browser games or old emulated options you can get on fine with very low performance options.

GTX1060 6GB is less than 20% upgrade from GTX970 which puts them in the same performance class. https://www.techpowerup.com/review/msi-gtx-1060-armor/30.html
GTX1660 adds another 20% to that https://www.techpowerup.com/review/msi-geforce-gtx-1660-gaming-x/28.html
When I upgrade GPU's I always look for around 50% or more to make it meaningful. Which can be achieved with GTX1660TI or Super.