In the ever-evolving landscape of PC gaming, keeping an older system relevant can be a challenge, especially for enthusiasts aiming to enjoy the latest titles without compromising on performance. For those still harnessing the power of the Intel i7-4770 processor, a workhorse of its time, finding a compatible GPU that won’t bottleneck performance while delivering satisfactory frame rates is crucial. As we step into 2024, the options for upgrading are more diverse than ever, offering a range of possibilities from budget-friendly picks to mid-range powerhouses.
This article aims to guide you through selecting the best GPU for your i7-4770 system, balancing performance, cost, and future gaming needs. My highly recommended GPUs for i7-4770 are the GTX 1650 Super and GTX 1660 Super, alongside RX 6600 and RX 6650 XT in 2024, Whether you’re a casual gamer or a dedicated enthusiast, upgrading your GPU can breathe new life into your aging system, ensuring you remain competitive in the latest gaming titles without the need for a complete system overhaul.
Related: Best GPU For i7-4770k
Best GPU For i7-4770
1. Nvidia GeForce
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super stands as an attractive option for gamers on a budget, offering excellent performance at 1080p resolution. Built on the efficient Turing architecture, it combines performance and power efficiency in a package that’s hard to beat at its price point. This GPU is particularly appealing for those with an i7-4770 processor, providing a significant boost in gaming capabilities without necessitating a major system overhaul.
With 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM, the GTX 1650 Super is well-equipped to handle most modern games at 1080p, although the limited VRAM could pose restrictions for newer, more demanding titles at higher settings. Despite this, it strikes an impressive balance between cost and performance, making it an ideal choice for gamers looking to maximize their budget.
In gaming tests, the GTX 1650 Super has shown it can deliver solid frame rates in popular titles like “Overwatch” and “League of Legends,” ensuring a smooth gaming experience at high settings. While it’s optimized for 1080p gaming, pushing it to 1440p would require significant compromises in settings and would not be recommended for those seeking optimal performance at higher resolutions.
Pairing the GTX 1650 Super with the i7-4770, some users might encounter bottleneck scenarios in highly CPU-intensive games or tasks. However, for the vast majority of gaming applications, this GPU and CPU combination will work harmoniously, providing a cost-effective solution for breathing new life into older systems.
Market-wise, the GTX 1650 Super presents itself as a compelling proposition. Its competitive pricing makes it accessible for gamers not looking to spend a lot on their build or upgrade. Additionally, its energy efficiency means that it doesn’t require a high-wattage power supply, further reducing the overall cost of upgrading.
Reasons to Buy:
- Excellent performance at 1080p, making it ideal for budget gaming setups
- 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM, sufficient for most current 1080p gaming needs
- Competitive pricing, offering great value for those on a tight budget
- Efficient Turing architecture, minimizing power consumption
Reasons Not to Buy:
- Limited VRAM for the most demanding new games at high settings
2. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a mid-range GPU that delivers on the promise of enhanced gaming experiences, particularly excelling in 1080p gaming. With its Turing architecture, it not only enhances gaming experiences at 1080p with high settings. This GPU represents an optimal choice for those aiming to strike a balance between cost and performance in the mid-range segment.
It is equipped with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM, which significantly boosts its ability to handle the latest games with ease but still in the current generation new games demand more VRAM But for 1080p gaming this is decent. The GTX 1660 Super’s core clock speeds and 125-watt TDP highlight its capability to deliver high performance while maintaining energy efficiency. However, this GPU is not good at 1440p gaming In demanding games it will run some games at this resolution but with some tweaking in the graphic setting.
At 1080p, the GTX 1660 Super offers more than enough horsepower to handle the latest games at high settings, often pushing the boundaries to 1440p but at this resolution, it can run some games with graphic adjustment then it will perform great decent FPS, In my 1080p gaming testing, this GPU shines, allowing titles such as “Fortnite” and “Apex Legends” to run at high settings, pushing past 80-90 FPS without a hitch. When moving to 1440p, the GTX 1660 Super continues to perform admirably. For instance, in “The Witcher 3,” gamers can enjoy a very good gaming experience, though some settings may need to be dialed back in the most graphically intense scenes to maintain smooth frame rates.
Pairing the GTX 1660 Super with the i7-4770 is a match that minimizes bottleneck risks, allowing gamers to fully capitalize on the GPU’s capabilities without the CPU hindering performance. This combination is ideal for users looking to revitalize their older systems with a GPU upgrade that complements their existing setup efficiently.
Market-wise, the GTX 1660 Super presents itself as an attractive proposition. Its pricing reflects a sweet spot for those wanting to have good gaming performance without diving into the premium price tier You can easily find it in new and used marketplaces with an attractive price of around 100 dollars. The value is further amplified by its energy efficiency and the lack of a need for a high-wattage power supply, making it a cost-effective upgrade for most gaming rigs.
For i7-4770 users, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super is highly recommended for those seeking to enhance their gaming experience at 1080p. It offers a compelling mix of performance, power efficiency, and affordability, striking the perfect balance for a mid-range gaming setup.
Reasons to Buy:
- Superior performance at 1080p and decent performance at 1440p
- 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM for enhanced gaming and multitasking
- Efficient performance with a 125-watt TDP
- Minimal bottlenecking when paired with the i7-4770
Reasons Not to Buy:
- Gamers targeting ultra-high frame rates at 1440p might find it lacking
3. AMD Radeon RX 6600
The AMD Radeon RX 6600 stands as a strong contender in the mid-range GPU market, particularly shining in 1080p gaming scenarios. Leveraging the RDNA 2 architecture, this GPU is tailored to deliver an exceptional gaming experience, especially at 1080p with high settings. It positions itself as an ideal solution for gamers looking to find a sweet spot between affordability and high-performance gaming.
Equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, the Radeon RX 6600 comfortably handles the latest games, providing ample capacity for both current and upcoming titles. The additional VRAM compared to some of its competitors ensures that it is well-prepared for the increasing demands of new gaming titles for more memory. However, it’s worth noting that while 8GB of VRAM is substantial for 1080p, it begins to meet its limits when pushing towards higher resolutions or in very VRAM-intensive scenarios.
Equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, the Radeon RX 6600 comfortably handles the latest games, providing ample capacity for both current and upcoming titles. The additional VRAM compared to some of its competitors ensures that it is well-prepared for the increasing demands of new gaming titles for more memory. However, it’s worth noting that while 8GB of VRAM is substantial for 1080p, it begins to meet its limits when pushing towards higher resolutions or in very VRAM-intensive scenarios.
At 1080p, the RX 6600 delivers exceptional performance, enabling games like “Call of Duty: Warzone” and “Cyberpunk 2077” to run smoothly at high settings, often achieving frame rates well above the 60 FPS mark. When venturing into 1440p territory, the RX 6600 holds its own in many titles, but gamers may need to tweak graphical settings to ensure a stable frame rate in more demanding games, as well as in terms of ray tracing performance, which is also not so good, so this feature of the GPU is not making any sense.
In terms of market positioning, the Radeon RX 6600 strikes an attractive price-performance ratio, making it a compelling choice for gamers on a budget. Its competitive pricing, especially in the used market, where it can often be found for around $200-$250, makes it a cost-effective solution for 1080p gaming rigs. The GPU’s energy efficiency also means that it can be integrated into older systems without the need for significant additional investments.
For gamers with an i7-4770, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 is highly recommended for those seeking to boost their 1080p gaming experience. It strikes an excellent balance between cost, performance, and power efficiency, making it a top choice for a mid-range gaming setup.
Reasons to Buy:
- Superior 1080p gaming performance with high settings
- 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, offering a future-proof buffer for upcoming games
- Good energy efficiency with a modest power requirement
- Compatible pairing with the i7-4770, avoiding significant bottlenecks
Reasons Not to Buy:
- Performance at 1440p can be lacking in more demanding titles without graphical adjustments
- Poor Ray-Tracing Gaming performance
4. AMD Radeon RX 6650XT
The AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT emerges as a formidable choice in the mid-range GPU market, adept at delivering outstanding gaming performance at both 1080p and 1440p. Built upon the cutting-edge RDNA 2 architecture, it offers gamers a blend of high frame rates and visual fidelity, making it a standout option for those looking to enhance their gaming setup.
While the GPU comes equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, it provides a solid foundation for 1080p gaming and stands competent for 1440p. However, it’s important to note that the 8GB of VRAM may fall short for the most demanding 1440p games, especially those requiring high texture packs or extensive draw distances. Gamers may need to adjust settings in these scenarios to achieve a balance between performance and visual quality.
The Radeon RX 6650 XT shines in 1440p gaming, offering excellent performance across a wide range of titles. Games like “Battlefield 2042” and “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” run exceptionally well, showcasing the GPU’s capability to handle intensive graphics. Nonetheless, its ray-tracing performance doesn’t quite match up to Nvidia’s offerings, which could be a consideration for gamers prioritizing ray-traced visuals.
In testing, pairing the RX 6650 XT with the i7-4770 showed that while this combination delivers superb performance in most scenarios, there are instances of bottlenecking, particularly in CPU-intensive games. This indicates that while the RX 6650 XT is a powerful GPU upgrade, those with an i7-4770 might encounter limitations in scenarios that demand high CPU usage.
The Radeon RX 6650 XT’s market position is strong, offering great value for gamers looking to push their systems to 1080p and 1440p gaming. Its price point is attractive, balancing cost with performance, making it an appealing choice for gamers on a budget or those seeking a significant upgrade without stepping into the high-end price range. Its power efficiency is another highlight, allowing for an upgrade without the need for a more powerful power supply unit.
For gamers utilizing an i7-4770, the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT is highly recommended for enhancing gaming experiences at 1080p and 1440p. Its capabilities in delivering high frame rates, coupled with RDNA 2 architecture’s efficiency, present a compelling upgrade option.
Reasons to Buy:
- Strong performance in both 1080p and 1440p gaming scenarios
- 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, suitable for a wide range of games
- Good value for the performance offered, especially at its price point
- Generally efficient power consumption for its performance level
Reasons Not to Buy:
- Limited ray tracing performance compared to Nvidia GPUs
- 8GB VRAM may not suffice for the most demanding 1440p games
- Potential bottleneck issues with the i7-4770 in CPU-intensive games
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right GPU for an older i7-4770 system in 2024 requires careful consideration of both performance needs and budget constraints. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super, GTX 1660 Super, and AMD Radeon RX 6600 and RX 6650 XT each offer distinct advantages, catering to a range of gaming preferences and resolutions. While the GTX 1650 Super and GTX 1660 Super provide solid entry and mid-level options with excellent 1080p gaming capabilities, the Radeon RX 6600 and RX 6650 XT step up as strong contenders for those seeking higher performance at both 1080p and 1440p, despite some limitations in ray tracing and VRAM for the most demanding applications.
My personal recommendation leans towards the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT for users with the i7-4770, considering its superior performance across both 1080p and 1440p gaming scenarios. It offers a great balance of price, performance, and future-proofing with its 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM and RDNA 2 architecture. While it may not excel in ray tracing compared to Nvidia’s offerings, its overall gaming performance and value proposition make it an attractive option for those looking to maximize their gaming experience without venturing into the high-end GPU market. Ultimately, the choice of GPU will depend on individual gaming needs, resolution preferences, and budget, but the Radeon RX 6650 XT stands out as a versatile and cost-effective upgrade for aging i7-4770 systems.
