Choice of graphics card to civilization VI

[zarakand]

In fairness, you have hit on the main positive for the 1050 Ti, it's low power draw means it doesn't require extra connectors. Ultimately this is aimed at making the new process cards superior in terms of laptop performance and battery life but if you do find out that you are PSU limited then it gets major plus points in your case as well. Which changes my thinking a little. If you are approaching this more along the lines of this being the last major upgrade in your current PCs life (should be a viable GPU for approx 2 years I reckon) then I think going for the 1050 Ti over the 1060 3GB actually makes a lot of sense. However, if you are looking more towards 3-4 years of active life remaining then the 1060 Ti starts edging out ahead again. I guess it's a case of "Horses for courses", as the old man used to say.

I opened it up today to take a look and I only have 385 watts of power. I've been mulling all day what I'd like to do.
Option 1: Nothing and enjoy the PC for another year or 2 (game plays on low just fine) and save up to buy a new gaming laptop for portability (the smart practical choice)

Option 2: buy the 1050 Ti if there's a sale over the holidays use it as long as the computer lasts (really the only games I play are Civ and NBA 2k) - the in between choice

Option 3: buy a new case, power supply, and the 1060 TI 3gb and transfer the guts of the XPS 8300 over (the motherboard is a microAtx so should fit). - the have fun choice


I think Option 3 would be the most fun, but not the most practical. So most likely I'm going to see if the 1050 Ti goes on sale (it's about $150 now) over the holidays or I get a coupon. It was a bummer to see that I only had 385 Watts and no free 6 pins.