In this table, you can compare graphics card specifications from the review. You can choose the best model yourself in the catalog video cards.

We also recommend reading the article "Comparison of AMD Radeon RX 460, 470 and 480 video cards".

 
Sufficient performance for FullHD, does not require additional power, compatible with thin computer cases.
 
 
Small amount of video memory.
 

The youngest representative of the NVIDIA Pascal graphics card family is the GeForce GTX 1050 with 2 GB of memory. Despite the updated architecture and the increased core frequency to 1.5 GHz, its performance is exactly the same as that of the old GTX 950 (a decrease in the number of microkernels from 768 to 640 pcs affects). But the competing 4-gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 460, depending on the demands of a particular game to the amount of video memory, can be either a third ahead or the same amount behind.

GeForce GTX 1050 graphics chips, as well as their improved version of the 1050 Ti, are manufactured according to the 14-nm process technology at the Samsung factory, while GTX 1060 and older are manufactured according to 16-nm TSMC standards. This makes the GTX 1050 the graphics card with the best performance per watt at the moment. It consumes only nothing – 60 watts of electricity, so it does not need an additional power connector.

Record–low power consumption and, as a result, heating made it possible to make a low-profile version of this graphics card - MSI GTX 1050 2GT LP. LowProfile video cards are used in thin Mini-ITX cases, in which, usually, computers are assembled that act as a multimedia centre or a game console (see the article "How to choose a housing for computer?". Previous generations of LP video cards (for example, GT 730) were too weak for modern AAA games, while the GTX 1050 so far handles with everything at FullHD resolution and, at least, low graphics settings. But its small amount of video memory may turn out to be unpleasant in the near future.

 
High performance for FullHD, does not require additional power.
 
 
The fan does not turn off in idle time.
 

Theoretically, the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics chip is only 20 percent more performant than the younger GTX 1050, but in fact, thanks to the increased memory capacity from 2 to 4 GB, the increase in some games reaches 50 percent. You can safely play on FullHD and, at least, medium-high graphics settings. The analogues of the GTX 1050 Ti graphics card are the old GeForce GTX 960 (4 GB version) and the brand new Radeon RX 470D (currently sold only in China) – the first is a little weaker, the second is a little more powerful.

The cost of the GTX 1050 Ti from different manufacturers varies from $160 to $ 230, but it makes sense to buy only the cheapest version. The fact is that in the BIOS firmware of this graphics card there is absolutely no item responsible for additional power through a 6-pin connector. As a result, the expensive GTX 1050 Ti versions with an enhanced power supply chain and an improved cooler are pure marketing.

Even the cheapest Inno3D GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Compact, built on a reference printed circuit board from NVIDIA, automatically accelerates to 1700 MHz, and manually the frequency can be increased by another hundred or two megahertz, depending on the success of a particular instance of the graphics card (ASIQ current leakage coefficient). Except that the Inno3D Compact fan, unlike expensive models, does not know how to turn off in idle time.

 
Very high performance for FullHD, semi-passive cooling.
 
 
The amount of video memory without reserve for the future.
 

The GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card exists in two versions – with 3 and 6 GB of memory, and only this difference does not end there. In the 3-gigabyte version, the number of stream processors is 1151, and in the 6-gigabyte version – 1280 pcs. The difference is not that significant (10 percent), but it is still there. Fortunately, although the memory bus bandwidth of both modifications is the same – 192 bits (the younger GTX 1050 and 1050 Ti have only 128 bits).

The 3 GB version of the GeForce GTX 1060 costs as much as a quarter cheaper than the 6-gig one. On the one hand, the video memory that is missing for particularly demanding games can be compensated for by RAM and safely play on FullHD and ultra graphics settings. RAM, of course, is slower than video memory (1600-2133 MHz versus 8000 MHz), but modern gaming PCs usually have it with a large margin. On the other hand, using RAM, the graphics card loads an already narrow data exchange bus with the processor. There is a "bottleneck" effect, as a result of which some games begin to hang periodically or react to keystrokes with a delay.

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 miniITX model is equipped with an improved single-fan cooler, which is quite justified for a 120W heat package. The radiator is made of separate aluminium plates pierced with copper heat pipes. Such an efficient design allows the graphics card to cool passively in idle time, that is, completely noiselessly.

As a result, we have no complaints about the Gigabyte miniITX modification, but there are doubts about the expediency of buying a 3-gig GTX 1060 as a whole. You should take it only if your PC has at least 16 GB of RAM. Otherwise, it is wiser to trust the 4-gig GTX 970, 980 or Radeon RX 480.

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Very high performance for FullHD, potential for 2K and 4K.
 
 
There are no significant drawbacks.
 

The 6-gigabyte version of the GeForce GTX 1060 has a much higher potential than the 3-gigabyte version. Already, several popular games (Rise of the Tomb Raider, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Forza Horizon 3) on ultra-settings even at FullHD resolution graphics consume 6 GB of video memory and more (a good alternative is Radeon RX 480 at 8 GB). As a result, the 6-gig GTX 1060, if it does not increase the average frame rate, then at least eliminates the severe slowdowns inherent in the 3-gig version.

Moreover, the GTX 1060 with 6 GB allows you to cross the 1080p milestone and swing at 2K and even 4K resolution. Of course, the graphics settings will have to be reduced to at least average, but it's clearly worth it. Moreover, with 4K resolution, the need for software smoothing of textures, namely, this is what distinguishes high and ultra-settings from average, disappears by itself.

Palit Dual is a simple–looking, but quite good-quality twin-fan modification of the GTX 1060. Unlike the three-slot older Palit JetStream series, it takes up only two expansion slots. In addition to a large radiator with heat pipes on the graphics chip, another small radiator is installed on the mosfets of the power supply chain. This, coupled with a 6-pin power connector, gives hope for a successful overclocking of the core – 2 GHz, if you are lucky with a specific instance.

 
High performance for 2K and 4K resolution, low operating temperature.
 
 
Over time, it may be necessary to top up the refrigerant.
 

On monitors with 2K resolution, the GeForce GTX 1070 allows you to run any games at maximum graphics settings, and with 4K – at high settings. Buying this graphics card for a 1080p monitor and a processor weaker than Core i7 is an unjustified waste. The only analogue of the GTX 1070 is the previous flagship GTX 980 Ti, while AMD has nothing to answer yet (Vega graphics cards are expected to be released).

The GTX 1070 thermal package at the reference core frequency is 150 watts, but after factory and, moreover, manual overclocking, it can grow to 200 watts. Therefore, a conventional air cooler with two fans may not be enough to keep the temperature of the graphics card within the limits allowed. Overheating can also lead to an emergency decrease in frequency, which eliminates overclocking.

That is why the MSI GTX 1070 Sea Hawk X graphics card received a hybrid cooling system. The air turbine is complemented by a dropsy made by Corsair (the logo in the form of a sailboat on the fan). This solution made it possible to reduce the temperature of the graphics card to the impossible – only 50 °C, whereas with an air two-fan cooler it would be 30 °C more.

 
Very high performance for 4K resolution, quiet and efficient cooler, customizable RGB backlight.
 
 
Long length.
 

If you do not take into account the expensive highly specialized Titan X Pascal, then it is the GeForce GTX 1080 that is the most powerful single-chip gaming graphics card at the moment. It's about 15 percent more powerful and 25 percent more expensive than the GTX 1070. But it is this seemingly small difference that is enough to finally make all modern games work at 60 FPS on ultra-graphics settings and 4K resolution. Buying a GTX 1080 for monitors with a resolution below 4K is stupid.

The more powerful the graphics card, the more gain you can get from overclocking it. The GTX 1080 has not a lot, not a few, 2560 stream processors and an increase of a hundred or two megahertz to each of them significantly increases FPS in games. To cool this initially 180-watt, but after manual acceleration, a 250-watt "stove" can be either water or three fans. The first option is too difficult to maintain, so graphics card manufacturers often choose the second one.

The flagship graphics card of the ASUS Republic of Gamers series – GTX 1080 – is equipped with a cooler with three fans, a whole armful of heat pipes and a metal back plate that acts as a stiffener and prevents the PCB from bending. As a result, it turned out to be solid, quiet, cool and with good overclocking potential. The ROG Strix GTX 1080 is complemented by an RGB LED backlight, which, at the request of the user, can flicker with all the colours of the rainbow.

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