Similar GPU, Half the RAM: MSI GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Review

[dirtyferret]

Um.... That's what I said.... If you're being sarcastic, then I don't know what your beef is - these cards are fine for titles now, and in the near future.... You want something "future-proof", pick up a 1070 or 1080

you said ". they aren't going to be able to play AAA titles in 2 years no matter what." - but I like to fact you are now back tracking not to look as foolish. I have no beef other then the absurdity of the post.

If I want to future proof I'll pick up a hardware when the new consoles come out...otherwise I'm just fooling myself and wasting money.

 

[Squid Surprise]

you said ". they aren't going to be able to play AAA titles in 2 years no matter what." - but I like to fact you are now back tracking not to look as foolish. I have no beef other then the absurdity of the post.

If I want to future proof I'll pick up a hardware when the new consoles come out...otherwise I'm just fooling myself and wasting money.

Apparently, you failed to read (and understand) my entire post.... You missed this line...
"On low-mid level cards, "future proofing" is irrational... "

The "they" you are quoting refers to low-mid level cards.... Like the 1060, 470, 480....

That's what these cards are... You want to future-proof, get a better card....

And future-proofing in the future, is, by definition, an oxy-m0r0n....obviously the best way to future proof is simply to buy a new card every few months... Just not very economical!

 

[hahahanoobs]

If they could make a 4GB version, they would have created an 8GB model rather than a 6GB model. In fact, if they made the 3GB GTX 1060 a 4GB card we would be faced with a GTX 970 situation all over again. The reason this card comes with either 3GB or 6GB of VRAM is down to the 192-bit wide memory bus.

192-bit was adequate because of their new compression tech.
https://www.technopat.net/sosyal/konu/video-gtx-1080-pascal-memory-compression-explained.329268/

 

[Phr3d]

Wish-list -- xmas eVGA prices are gon' be ni-ice in this level, metheenks - happy new year upgrade!
Thanks, Steve, you answered every question - Barkeep! pour that man a shot o' Pascal!

 

[Kenrick]

Man I love ***** fan boys who have no clue how the gaming - graphic industry works.

You need to future proof! You can't possibly play AAA games that are ports from playstation 4 and xbox 3 consoles in two years. You just can't! Even with a card that is over twice as graphically powerful as those consoles! How can you possibly play a game without shadows maxed out to stupid levels and draw distances max out!!!

Another analyst who thinks future proofing with sub-mainstream cards is viable.

You need to set your expectations man. If you expect high in the future, then talk about enthusiast cards. We are talking about a video card that cost $200 here. You will kill the video card business if they gave you a titan like video card at this price range just to play AAA games in 2 years...

 

[Insom7]

I purchased one of these cards for 1080p gaming and paired with an old i7 2700k @ 3.50Ghz and when playing a graphically intense game I overclock it to 4.0/4.5Ghz I must say it really was a great buy as most games I have maxed out and easily hit 60fps or more. Anyone thinking 3GB of vRAM is not enough is mistaken in 95% of most games as even GTA V, The Witcher 3, Fallout 4, MGS:TPP, Skyrim SE and even DOOM don't use more than 3GB. Doom came close as did GTA V and only Deus Ex:MD with a few settings switched down a notch used just over 3000MB of the 3072MB available.
I paid $350au before shipping and the cheapest 6GB card (Zotac,Gainward) was at least $50 more and was on special as well.
I am very happy with the performance especially upgrading from a 2GB GTX 960 as the MSI 3GB GTX 1060 blows that card away! I would not recommend for 1440p/4k gaming as vRAM stutters will prevail but this card is not quite powerful enough for those resolutions but its darn close!
Awesome card.

 

[ddferrari]

I purchased one of these cards for 1080p gaming and paired with an old i7 2700k @ 3.50Ghz and when playing a graphically intense game I overclock it to 4.0/4.5Ghz I must say it really was a great buy as most games I have maxed out and easily hit 60fps or more. Anyone thinking 3GB of vRAM is not enough is mistaken in 95% of most games as even GTA V, The Witcher 3, Fallout 4, MGS:TPP, Skyrim SE and even DOOM don't use more than 3GB. Doom came close as did GTA V and only Deus Ex:MD with a few settings switched down a notch used just over 3000MB of the 3072MB available.
I paid $350au before shipping and the cheapest 6GB card (Zotac,Gainward) was at least $50 more and was on special as well.
I am very happy with the performance especially upgrading from a 2GB GTX 960 as the MSI 3GB GTX 1060 blows that card away! I would not recommend for 1440p/4k gaming as vRAM stutters will prevail but this card is not quite powerful enough for those resolutions but its darn close!
Awesome card.

No need to disable your overclock when you're not gaming- it will only save you pennies a month and most chips default to a lower clock anyway when it's not needed. Actually, I would suspect varing voltages might wear out your chip faster than leaving it in an oc'd state 24/7.