New 1650 or used 970?

[Luis Hernandez 570]

Since now I have a desk, chair, keyboard, mouse and monitor, I'm now considering to get a new computer and (finally) stop simming in a laptop. However, with those insane GPU prices, I can´t afford anything higher than a GTX 1650 right now ($450 here). A brand new 2060 is at least $1300 here, while a 1660 is $1000 minimum. I don't ask for newer/more powerful GPUs, I want to keep my sanity.

My idea is to use my rig for P3D4 (with no add-on airports, just Orbx Global + Vector + LC + Terra Flora + Buildings (downsampled to 1024 or 512 if needed), GSX and ActiveSky), and maybe FSX-SE (for some planes not available in P3D4). For reference, my monitor is 1920 x 1080, and I'm planning a Ryzen 5 3600X or a  Ryzen 7 3700X as CPU.

Somehow I ended up seeing offers for an used GTX 970, for the same price of the brand new 1650. If I check in Passmark, looks like a good deal. However, is it actually so, or is it just too good to be true?

 

Edited April 14, 2021 by Luis Hernandez

[Mikeingreen 139]

According to benchmarks the 970 is better. Compare here:

UserBenchmark: Nvidia GTX 1650 vs 970

[flyforever 267]

Old video cards are limited by the memory, so don't just look at the speed. If you have a powerful cpu, then look for a video card with a minimum of 8 gig of memory. If your cpu is weak, no video card will help you. Save your  money and start with the most powerful cpu. I run all sims on a i5-10600k and a gtx 1060 happily.

[Bert Pieke 7,585]

It depends on whether you can see moving to P3DV5 or MSFS.. they both need 6 GB+ VRAM.

P3DV4 can probably run OK with 4 GB.

[Luis Hernandez 570]

17 hours ago, Bert Pieke said:

It depends on whether you can see moving to P3DV5 or MSFS.. they both need 6 GB+ VRAM.

Ouch, then I'm SOL: both options have 4 GB VRAM. Anyway, my idea was to stay with P3D4 in the meantime.

Edited April 15, 2021 by Luis Hernandez

[Bert Pieke 7,585]

1 hour ago, Luis Hernandez said:

Ouch, then I'm SOL: both options have 4 GB VRAM. Anyway, my idea was to stay with P3D4 in the meantime.

P3Dv4 should be fine..