I'm planning to replace my NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB to get a noticeable performance boost, but I haven't upgraded the main components of my PC since 2018 aside from the RAM and storage. My system uses an Intel Core i7-8700K and a Corsair CX650 power supply. I'll probably build a new PC in another country within a year or two, so I'd prefer a sensible graphics card upgrade that works with my current system rather than rebuilding everything now. I'm open to recommendations, but I'm not looking for an extremely expensive option.
3 Answers
Your Corsair CX650 should be suitable for many midrange cards, assuming it’s in good condition and the rest of the system is standard. Check the specific power connector and recommended PSU requirements for whichever card you choose. I’d avoid picking a card solely because it is the fastest option—the price and power requirements may not make sense for a PC you plan to replace in a year or two.
The CPU, power supply, budget, monitor resolution, and target games all matter here. The i7-8700K is still capable of supporting a fairly strong modern graphics card, but the best choice depends on whether you’re gaming at 1080p or 1440p and whether you want ray tracing. A midrange card would probably make the most sense for a temporary upgrade, rather than buying a high-end model that you’ll replace soon anyway.
I’m mainly trying to avoid spending on a whole new build before relocating, so a reasonable midrange upgrade sounds ideal.
A GTX 1060 to a newer midrange GPU should be a very noticeable jump, and your 8700K doesn’t automatically require a full system replacement. Look at current-generation cards in the sensible midrange, or discounted previous-generation models, and compare real game benchmarks at your monitor’s resolution. Set a spending limit first, since without a budget there’s no single upgrade that clearly makes sense.
The power supply is a Corsair CX650, so I’ll compare its requirements with any cards I consider.