Unsolved
2 Posts
0
1627
Aurora R5, GPU setup: dual GTX 970s vs. upgrade
Bought an Alienware Aurora R5 back in 2016 (i7-6700 CPU @ 3.40 GHz, 16GB RAM, 460W PSU, NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 970 with 4GB GDDR5).
Looking for GPU upgrade recommendations - my goal is to increase general gaming performance. Would like to spend around $300~$500. Appreciate any advise on best possible GPU setup/upgrade given the above specs/constraints (and also the right fit for the R5 case).
Recently read some interesting pieces on dual GPU setup; am I better off buying an extra (identical) GTX 970 and running dual? or just upgrade to nicer GPU (1060/Ti, RTX 2060) and swap it out?
Unsure what I can actually run at 460W, so any pointers are welcome.
Thanks
Gysper
1 Rookie
1 Rookie
•
52 Posts
1
September 8th, 2020 13:00
@Non-Mangler
RTX 2060 should work fine with the 460W although if you don't plan to upgrade the PSU and you want to spend that much for an upgraded GPU, your options are pretty limited. My experience is that if you get a 1000/2000 series, running them in dual isn't quite worth it as the top-tier cards are good enough running solo.
With the 3000 series coming out, the older gen one should come down in price and for $500, an upgraded PSU and the 2070/2080 could be possible.
Non-Mangler
2 Posts
0
September 8th, 2020 14:00
Thanks @Gysper.
The $300-$500 was just a rough estimate (I think you are suggesting that's too high for the kind of upgrade I described?), not opposed to spending less .
Based on your feedback, sounds like a RTX 2060 ($300~) gets me the best value (and superior performance over the dual 970s). Main concern was whether it can run fine with 460W PSU (sounds like there's no issue), and fits into the R5 case.
Upgrading PSU + getting 2070/2080 is a good recommendation too (was not aware this could be achieved for $500~), will consider it as well.
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
September 8th, 2020 16:00
Single Pascal or Turing based card will be more than 2X faster than a 970.
Thats why 2012 GTX 680 is about the same speed as 1050TI but the TI uses MUCH LESS POWER.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUOrnp2PjK4
r72019
6 Professor
6 Professor
•
5.3K Posts
1
September 8th, 2020 21:00
@Non-Mangler
I don't believe the 460w oem PSU has enough pcie power cables to power SLI 970 even if it was cable of supporting that setup. The 460w only comes with: 1x of 6PIN, and 1x of 6+2 PIN cables.
Most GTX 970s require 1x 6 pin plus 1x 8 pin power cable EACH. So you'd need two 6PIN, and two 8PIN. Dual 970 is not physically possible with the 460w psu.