Radeon RX460 vs GeForce GTX 1050

tahnalos · March 2017

My Radeon R280 just went to the Large Computer Store in the Sky.

I have narrowed down my choices for a replacement video card to the Radeon RX 460 vs GeForce 1050. I realize that both cards may be lower in spec compared to my old card but it is because I am on a budget. Wanted to know which card works better for STO since that is the only graphic heavy game I play.

Thoughts?

seaofsorrows · March 2017

In general, the nvidia cards tend to work better with STO then AMD.

I won't get too deep into my feelings on the matter for fear of starting a long debate. I'll just say that I definitely vote for the GTX 1050. If you can go a few bucks more, the 1050Ti is a great card for the money.

lexusk19 · March 2017

seaofsorrows wrote: »

In general, the nvidia cards tend to work better with STO then AMD.

I won't get too deep into my feelings on the matter for fear of starting a long debate. I'll just say that I definitely vote for the GTX 1050. If you can go a few bucks more, the 1050Ti is a great card for the money.

Agreed, though with the GTX 970 I run I am getting some texture problems. Reported them almost a year ago and have yet to see a fix.

tahnalos · March 2017

Thanks for the opinions. The RX 460 cards are being heavily discounted and I also heard they suck againstthe 1050.

Now pondering between a new GTX 1050 Ti for $200CAD vs a used GTX 770 for $150CAD. I hear the GTX 770 is on par with a 1060.

Because I work as an independant contractor, I can write off the cost of the video card but only if I buy the new one from the store. Thoughts anyone?

tahnalos · March 2017

One other question, would the amount of RAM factor in to the performance of the game? Some 1050 cards have 2GB while others have 4GB.

davefenestrator · March 2017

2 GB is fine for STO and almost any other game unless you install a "hi res texture pack" add-on. It will also hurt performance in some games if you try to turn on "ultra" settings but the 1050 probably isn't fast enough for that anyway.

Because I work as an independant contractor, I can write off the cost of the video card but only if I buy the new one from the store.

Look at your marginal tax rate (the highest bracket that your income is in) to see how much of a discount that adds up to. For example if your last bit of income is in the 20% tax range then you get a 20% discount on the card by deducting it, making it about the same price as the 770.

Now pondering between a new GTX 1050 Ti for $200CAD vs a used GTX 770 for $150CAD.

The 1050 is a much newer design, and supports DirectX 12. It will have better long-term driver support.

tahnalos · March 2017

davefenestrator wrote: »

2 GB is fine for STO and almost any other game unless you install a "hi res texture pack" add-on. It will also hurt performance in some games if you try to turn on "ultra" settings but the 1050 probably isn't fast enough for that anyway.

Because I work as an independant contractor, I can write off the cost of the video card but only if I buy the new one from the store.

Look at your marginal tax rate (the highest bracket that your income is in) to see how much of a discount that adds up to. For example if your last bit of income is in the 20% tax range then you get a 20% discount on the card by deducting it, making it about the same price as the 770.

Now pondering between a new GTX 1050 Ti for $200CAD vs a used GTX 770 for $150CAD.

The 1050 is a much newer design, and supports DirectX 12. It will have better long-term driver support.

Thanks

Corporate tax rate will likely be 15%, and I think I can deduct the sales tax from the total purchase price. It's actually $180 plus Canadian taxes that will put it in and around the $200 range. And you're right about the newer design. When I got my R9 280 two years back, it was also used, but that was part of the flagship models they had at the time, and they were just introducing the 380 series cards.

I'll put some thought into it more. Some friends are trying to push me towards the RX 480 calling it the best performance currently for your buck.

davefenestrator · March 2017

What other games do you play? If none, there is no reason to spend the extra money just for STO especially since STO supports nvidia better.

nephitis · March 2017

I would personally go for the 1050 Ti if I had to pick a graphics card in this tier.

seaofsorrows · March 2017

tahnalos wrote: »

Now pondering between a new GTX 1050 Ti for $200CAD vs a used GTX 770 for $150CAD. I hear the GTX 770 is on par with a 1060.

That would not be accurate, the GTX 770 is not in the same category with a GTX 1060.

The GTX 770 on average is about 23% slower then the 1050 Ti. Have a look at this link for an in depth comparison.

You can see at the bottom that the 1050Ti is capable of playing both GTA V and The Division at 1080p with Max Settings. Both of those games are far more intensive then Star Trek Online. While either of these cards would be enough for STO, you will get many more years of use out of a 1050Ti then you would the 770 which is already at the end of it's life cycle.

Honestly, for low cost gaming at 1080p resolution, the 1050Ti is the king right now. It's 'bang for the buck' is practically unmatched.

tahnalos · March 2017

Yeah. Right now I'm looking at these two video cards now:

Geforce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB for $180 + tax
Radeon 470 4GB for $225 + tax + $30 MIR

The Radeon 470 just showed up on sale and it was originally going for $275. The store has a special for this card, and I have had no issues with MIRs as they have always come in for me. Also, I'm quite biased towards Radeons given that I have had 4 of them throughout my life vs 1 Geforce card from long long ago. Still, looking at best performance for bang on buck. I only play STO with a little bit of FreeSpace 2 SCP on the side, but loved the R9 280 because it always ran on max framerates.

seaofsorrows · March 2017

tahnalos wrote: »

Yeah. Right now I'm looking at these two video cards now:

Geforce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB for $180 + tax
Radeon 470 4GB for $225 + tax + $30 MIR

The Radeon 470 just showed up on sale and it was originally going for $275. The store has a special for this card, and I have had no issues with MIRs as they have always come in for me. Also, I'm quite biased towards Radeons given that I have had 4 of them throughout my life vs 1 Geforce card from long long ago. Still, looking at best performance for bang on buck. I only play STO with a little bit of FreeSpace 2 SCP on the side, but loved the R9 280 because it always ran on max framerates.

Between those two options, the Radeon 470 is the superior card. You can find a breakdown with gaming benchmarks here.

Problem is, at that price, the Radeon 470 4GB is the same price as a GTX 1060 6GB and in that area the Radeon once again loses. If you are a fan of Radeon though, then you should go with what you want.

I personally prefer NVidia, I have had far better experience with them. If your experience has been different though, then you should go with what you want. I can throw all the advice in the world, but at the end of the day the money is yours.

Either way, I hope you end up with something you truly enjoy.

tahnalos · March 2017

I did check the GeForce 1060s. Unfortunately they are going at around $260+taxes. Hate to say this, but the promotions for the Radeon 470 look really attractive.

nephitis · March 2017

The best thing about the Nvidia 1000 series is that they run cooler than AMD cards in general. Heat levels alone may not be of super great concern, but noise levels definitely should be if you ask me.

And yes, if you are now looking at the AMD RX 470 you may as well look into the Nvidia 1060. But if you are on a time limit in terms of deals and what not you may as well go for the RX 470. I would recommend that card over the 1050 Ti for sure.

tahnalos · March 2017

Well considering that they knocked off the price of the RX470 by another 15 dollars, I think the decision was rather simple. But thanks for all your advice.

seaofsorrows · March 2017

tahnalos wrote: »

Well considering that they knocked off the price of the RX470 by another 15 dollars, I think the decision was rather simple. But thanks for all your advice.

Sounds good.. hope you enjoy your new card.

fiberteksyfir · March 2017

Aye. Good luck with it. Any of the current gen cards rip through STO like butter.. i just got a 4gb 1050 in it runs like a charn maxed out. One of the few advantages of sto being an older title.

Radeon RX460 vs GeForce GTX 1050

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