[SOLVED] Would you buy a new GTX1050ti or a used GTX1060? (pc bios limits to Pascal.)

[alphacoyle]

It's for a child so performance isn't so much the issue as is durability. The 3 new 1050ti I'm seeing are MSI / Gaming & Gigabyte; reviews of longevity aren't inspiring. It's going into an older XPS8300 that the bios is just under being able to accept Turing. Do you think a used GTX1060 would be better or not? If so are there any particular models/manufacturers that are known for being long lasting--no warranty this route so...think if they've lasted this long are safe bet or gamble?

 

[DSzymborski]

If longevity is a big priority, then you really need to buy new. Brands are differentiated more by customer service than actual longevity of the GPUs, with the exception that better cooled cards are likely to last longer. I personally tend to get EVGA GPUs because I've always gotten excellent services; easy cross-shipped RMAs and probalby about half the time, they give me a better GPU than the dead one. Other big companys like MSI and Gigabyte also have good return policies. As long as you don't get some real obscure brand, you're likely fine wtih any choice.

 

[TwitchyTanner]

I just sold my used 1060 after using it for a solid 3 years. To an average gamer that thing worked pretty fantastic. I waited so long to upgrade on it because of how well rounded the performance was on games. My MSI 1060 6GB worked flawlessly for me but I have not really heard any 1060 model in particular being better than any other model in terms of reliability, that may require some deeper diving research. I am on the internet and these kind of forums quite frequently and I very rarely see 1060s having problems.

 

[geofelt]

OEM pc's will have an included power supply that is suitable only to drive the initially installed parts.
Look at your psu.
Does it have the aux 6 pin pcie power lead that a GTX1060 requires?
A GTX1050ti will run on a 300w psu so long as the GTX1050ti is not one of the factory overclocked versions requiring a aux 6 pin pcie lead.
I would think that the GTX1050ti would be the best choice.

 

[TwitchyTanner]

OEM pc's will have an included power supply that is suitable only to drive the initially installed parts.
Look at your psu.
Does it have the aux 6 pin pcie power lead that a GTX1060 requires?
A GTX1050ti will run on a 300w psu so long as the GTX1050ti is not one of the factory overclocked versions requiring a aux 6 pin pcie lead.
I would think that the GTX1050ti would be the best choice.

ah yes i didnt think of that, if power restraints are an issue than yes, 1050ti is a pretty decent card especially for a kid

 

[alphacoyle]

OEM pc's will have an included power supply that is suitable only to drive the initially installed parts.
Look at your psu.
Does it have the aux 6 pin pcie power lead that a GTX1060 requires?
A GTX1050ti will run on a 300w psu so long as the GTX1050ti is not one of the factory overclocked versions requiring a aux 6 pin pcie lead.
I would think that the GTX1050ti would be the best choice.

That is one of the considerations; even though the stock PSU is around 8yrs old it's never been used for anything other than web browsing, streaming shows etc. If went with 1060 would have to replace the GPU; but if I paid around $100 for used 1060 and bought $50-60 PSU would = new 1050ti. Heat is also a consideration; the XPS8300 does have a little vented area in front that a 92mm fan can be hooked up to intake, but besides rear chassis fan that's it. Whatever I get probably good idea to go with dual fans I'm thinking? And around 8" is a comfortable length, should take longer but is pushing it.

 

[TwitchyTanner]

That is one of the considerations; even though the stock PSU is around 8yrs old it's never been used for anything other than web browsing, streaming shows etc. If went with 1060 would have to replace the GPU; but if I paid around $100 for used 1060 and bought $50-60 PSU would = new 1050ti. Heat is also a consideration; the XPS8300 does have a little vented area in front that a 92mm fan can be hooked up to intake, but besides rear chassis fan that's it. Whatever I get probably good idea to go with dual fans I'm thinking? And around 8" is a comfortable length, should take longer but is pushing it.

there are definitely single fan 1060's as well as shorter ones. I'm not sure how comfortable you are with this idea but I have seen people take old dell OptiPlex and drill/cutout a hole on the side panel and install a 120mm fan right near the gpu to greatly increase thermal performance. I've even seen people print out a water cooler radiator template and drill the corresponding holes to mount on the side panel.

 

[geofelt]

If you are looking at longevity, buy new, not used.
That $100 GTX1060 will be the 3gb version which is slower because it has fewer CUDA cores than the 6gb version.

You can only buy a cheap psu for $50.
If you care about long lasting, do not buy used.

A cheap PSU will be made of substandard components. It will not have safety and overload protections.
The danger is if it fails under load, it can destroy anything it is connected to.
It will deliver advertised power only at room temperatures, not at higher temperatures found when installed in a case.
The wattage will be delivered on the 3 and 5v rails, not on the 12v rails where modern parts
like the CPU and Graphics cards need it. What power is delivered may fluctuate and cause instability
issues that are hard to diagnose.
Do not buy one.

If you buy a psu, consider it as a long term investment.
Plan on $100 or more for a quality 550w or better unit.
I like the seasonic focus units with 7 or 10 year warranties.

You might also look at the newer GTX1650 cards. They are a touch faster than gtx1050ti and are the strongest cards that do not need aux power.

 

[alphacoyle]

If you are looking at longevity, buy new, not used.
That $100 GTX1060 will be the 3gb version which is slower because it has fewer CUDA cores than the 6gb version.

You can only buy a cheap psu for $50.
If you care about long lasting, do not buy used.

A cheap PSU will be made of substandard components. It will not have safety and overload protections.
The danger is if it fails under load, it can destroy anything it is connected to.
It will deliver advertised power only at room temperatures, not at higher temperatures found when installed in a case.
The wattage will be delivered on the 3 and 5v rails, not on the 12v rails where modern parts
like the CPU and Graphics cards need it. What power is delivered may fluctuate and cause instability
issues that are hard to diagnose.
Do not buy one.

If you buy a psu, consider it as a long term investment.
Plan on $100 or more for a quality 550w or better unit.
I like the seasonic focus units with 7 or 10 year warranties.

You might also look at the newer GTX1650 cards. They are a touch faster than gtx1050ti and are the strongest cards that do not need aux power.

I was just using that price range because Newegg has the CX on sale with a rebate--though I'm skeptical of receiving it. I actually have a new CX650 as a back up if I needed to RMA my SuperFlower PSU, not that I think I will ever have to.
The pc's bios won't acccept a 1650/Turing card; stuck with Pascal.
Real toss up between the new 1050ti and the used 1060; even the 3gb is 50% faster and the build quality for example that MSI 1060 dual fan compared to the new MSI 1050ti is substantial, no backplate on the 1050ti, reviews of 2pin fans dying and not able to replace...The 1050ti Gigabyte's a little better as fan can be replaced but again the build quality's not there. Though the 1050ti is the easier choice' probably not as hot as the 1060 with it's 120w. Maybe prices will drop before Christmas.

 

[alphacoyle]

there are definitely single fan 1060's as well as shorter ones. I'm not sure how comfortable you are with this idea but I have seen people take old dell OptiPlex and drill/cutout a hole on the side panel and install a 120mm fan right near the gpu to greatly increase thermal performance. I've even seen people print out a water cooler radiator template and drill the corresponding holes to mount on the side panel.

I just sold my used 1060 after using it for a solid 3 years. To an average gamer that thing worked pretty fantastic. I waited so long to upgrade on it because of how well rounded the performance was on games. My MSI 1060 6GB worked flawlessly for me but I have not really heard any 1060 model in particular being better than any other model in terms of reliability, that may require some deeper diving research. I am on the internet and these kind of forums quite frequently and I very rarely see 1060s having problems.

I've just started browsing 1060s and was impressed with the build quality compared to these new 1050ti. Was your MSI that big red & black gaming one?

 

[ryasis]

I have the 1050ti FTW edition and all I play are Blizzard games, so it does me just fine and I am happy with it.

 

[alphacoyle]

I have the 1050ti FTW edition and all I play are Blizzard games, so it does me just fine and I am happy with it.

That seems like a good card, if I could find it new would get it.