Graphics card for new PC

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Class172
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Graphics card for new PC

Post by Class172 »

In a few weeks time I'll finally be able to build my own new PC, and I have already sourced all the parts expect from the graphics card, which I am still rather undecided about which one to get. I'm aiming for something upto and around £150, so was looking at a GTX 950 or 960, and would prefer a model that has a semi-passive nature. The only limitation on the card size is that it cannot exceed 255mm in length. Does anyone have any experience with these cards or alternative recommendations?

The important "will be" current specs are:

Case - Aerocool DS Cube
CPU - i5 6500 @ 3.2GHz
PSU - Corsair CS550M
Motherboard - Gigabyte Z170MX Gaming-5
RAM - Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR4 @ 2666MHz
SSD - 128GB Samsung NMVe
HDD - 2TB Seagate Barracuda
clam1952
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Re: Graphics card for new PC

Post by clam1952 »

I'd say a 4GB GTX960 minimum but if you could stretch to around the £250 mark you could get a GTX970, shop around there are quite a few bargains to be had.
There are quite a few short cards in the GTX960 range from Zotac Gigabyte and EVGA, looking at the case specs you could get a much longer card in at the expense of the front panel 2.5 slot, if you are not intending to use it for anything.
You might want to consider a better CPU cooler than the intel stock one, they work well enough but are a pig to clean the dust out of!

Actually I've just taken the lazy way out and got a PC Specialist built rig.
Cheers

Malc

Member of Trainz Carriage and Wagon Works
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Class172
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Re: Graphics card for new PC

Post by Class172 »

clam1952 wrote:I'd say a 4GB GTX960 minimum but if you could stretch to around the £250 mark you could get a GTX970, shop around there are quite a few bargains to be had.
There are quite a few short cards in the GTX960 range from Zotac Gigabyte and EVGA, looking at the case specs you could get a much longer card in at the expense of the front panel 2.5 slot, if you are not intending to use it for anything.
You might want to consider a better CPU cooler than the intel stock one, they work well enough but are a pig to clean the dust out of!
A GTX 970 would definitely be out of my budget; the max I'd push it would be ~£180. Considering I probably won't be playing the latest most intensive games I'd thought 2GB should be sufficient, as I know some cards come with boosted memory speeds. Having had a look at the various GPU dimensions, the case can take most cards with the exception of the EVGA and MSI Gaming (they're only too long by a centimetre or so); I'd rather not take out the 3.5" cage as I intend to put a card reader in there.

Changing the cooler is something I have in mind for the longer term.
Actually I've just taken the lazy way out and got a PC Specialist built rig.
It's the first time I've built a computer, so I can't miss out on the enjoyment (and associated frustration!) of building it myself. :lol:

EDIT: I've come across an offer for the Asus Strix model with £25 off, which seems a very attractive price.
clam1952
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Re: Graphics card for new PC

Post by clam1952 »

Having looked at the performance specs of the GTX960 it's fractionally over a GTX680 which I've had working reasonably with TANE in my lowest spec rig, so should be fine.
Can't see anywhere cheaper for that card, Ebuyer have a Zotac GTX960 at the same price which is a very short card only one fan though.
Cheers

Malc

Member of Trainz Carriage and Wagon Works
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