Graphics Card Upgrade recommendation

[Arnob Alam]

Hi all:

First time posting.

I have a fairly old computer (setup is described below). I have a socket LGA1155 motherboard, so can't really move up on the CPU side, but I figured that I might be able to upgrade my graphics card from the GTX 650 Ti to a newer generation one for cheap (or free).

I am not much of a gamer, and probably will use GPU for scientific computing. (maybe play a little DOOM on occasion). Any recommendations (budget is fairly low, under $250, but would like to see what best options are at different price points)?

Setup
=====
Motherboard ASROCK z77 Extreme4
CPU: i7-37770k (not overclocked)
RAM: 8 GB (2x4 GB Crucial)
Graphics: PNY GTX 650 Ti 1GB
Hard Drive: Samsung 850 EVO 256 GB

 

[crisium]

What scientific computing exactly? Do you need CUDA?

If you don't require a certain brand, then the Radeon RX 470 4GB is the best value for performance-per-dollar. Your full budget could accommodate the faster RX 480 8GB or GTX 1060 6GB, but the value isn't there especially for someone who is not much of a gamer, imo. The cheapest 1060 6GB is $50-$60 more than the cheapest 470s:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/7w...armor-oc-video-card-radeon-rx-470-armor-4g-oc
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/rL...-red-dragon-video-card-axrx470-4gbd5-3dhdv2oc

See early 2017 GPU performance here: https://www.computerbase.de/thema/grafikkarte/rangliste/

But it would help if you explain your scientific computing needs. If you need Nvidia then you'd look at the slower 1050 Ti, or the more expensive but faster 1060 6GB.

 

[mohit9206]

Close your eyes and get the RX470 4GB. Best performance per dollar card under $170. You don't really need any more expensive card than that.

 

[Arnob Alam]

What scientific computing exactly? Do you need CUDA?

If you don't require a certain brand, then the Radeon RX 470 4GB is the best value for performance-per-dollar. Your full budget could accommodate the faster RX 480 8GB or GTX 1060 6GB, but the value isn't there especially for someone who is not much of a gamer, imo. The cheapest 1060 6GB is $50-$60 more than the cheapest 470s:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/7w...armor-oc-video-card-radeon-rx-470-armor-4g-oc
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/rL...-red-dragon-video-card-axrx470-4gbd5-3dhdv2oc

See early 2017 GPU performance here: https://www.computerbase.de/thema/grafikkarte/rangliste/

But it would help if you explain your scientific computing needs. If you need Nvidia then you'd look at the slower 1050 Ti, or the more expensive but faster 1060 6GB.

Yes, I am interested in CUDA. Mostly will be using it for solving nonlinear optimization problems.

 

[crisium]

You might as well get the fastest you can afford then. GTX 1060 6GB. The difference between the 1050 Ti (768 cores) and 1060 6GB (1280 cores) is very large. It's one thing to turn down some barely noticeable eye candy settings in DOOM, but your time is valuable so I'd get the best in your budget since more CUDA cores = work done faster.

Keep in mind the 1060 3GB, in addition to the 1/2 VRAM, only has 1152 CUDA cores.

 

[Mockingbird]

Close your eyes and get the RX470 4GB. Best performance per dollar card under $170. You don't really need any more expensive card than that.

Wouldn't the Radeon RX 480 4GB have better performance/dollar?