Upgrading your Intel Core i5-4690 with a new GPU can be a game-changer for your PC’s performance. The i5-4690, though a bit older, still has plenty to offer, especially when paired with the right graphics card. In this guide, we’ll explore several GPU options suitable for various gaming preferences and performance needs. Whether you’re a casual gamer or looking to push your system a bit further, there’s a GPU that can meet your demands without causing significant bottlenecks or breaking the bank. In advance, I will tell you that you can pair RX 6500 XT, GTX 1650s, GTX 1660s, and RTX 2060 with i5-4690. we’ll dive into what each card brings to the table for your i5-4690 setup.
Related: Best GPU for i5-4590
1. AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
| Memory Size [VRAM] | 4 GB |
| Clock | 2310 MHz – 2610 MHz |
| Process Size | 6 nm |
| TDP | 107 W |
I’ve seen the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT make a real difference for gamers using an i5-4690, especially those who are mindful of their budget. This card is a neat little package for playing a lot of the current games at 1080p. You’ll find it running titles like ‘Fortnite’ and ‘Apex Legends smoothly on high settings, and it does a decent job with more demanding games like ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ on medium settings. However, it’s worth noting that the RX 6500 XT doesn’t come with an encoder. So, if you’re into streaming or content creation, your i5-4690 will have to handle the encoding workload, which is something to consider if your CPU is already under a fair bit of stress.
Reasons to Buy:
- Affordable Gaming: It’s a budget-friendly choice for modern gaming at 1080p.
- Energy-Efficient: Pairs nicely with the i5-4590, offering a good performance-to-power consumption ratio.
- Solid for Mainstream Titles: Excels in games that don’t push the graphical limits too hard.
Reasons to Not Buy:
- No Encoder: A downside for streamers and content creators who rely on GPU encoding.
- Limited in Demanding Games: Struggles with ultra settings in graphically intense games.
- VRAM Limitations: 4GB VRAM might not suffice for future gaming requirements.
2. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super
| Memory Size [VRAM] | 4 GB |
| Clock | 1530 MHz – 1725 MHz |
| Process Size | 12 nm |
| TDP | 100 W |
For those upgrading an i5-4690 and looking for a balance between cost and performance, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super is a great choice. In my experience, this GPU is a significant step up from the standard GTX 1650, offering enhanced performance that’s immediately noticeable in gaming. It’s particularly adept at 1080p gaming, handling titles like ‘Overwatch’ and ‘League of Legends’ with ease on high settings, and even managing more demanding games like ‘The Witcher 3’ at medium to high settings. The GTX 1650 Super is not just about gaming; it’s also quite capable for everyday computing tasks and some light video editing, making it a versatile pick for a variety of needs.
Reasons to Buy:
- Excellent Value: Provides a great mix of performance and price, especially for 1080p gaming.
- Energy Efficient: Complements the older i5-4690, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.
- Versatile Use: Good for gaming and general use, including light creative tasks.
Reasons to Not Buy:
- Limited for Future-Proofing: With 4GB VRAM, it might not handle future titles at high settings effectively.
- Not for Intensive Tasks: While it’s good for light editing, it may struggle with more demanding creative work.
3. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
| Memory Size [VRAM] | 6 GB |
| Clock | 1530 MHz – 1785 MHz |
| Process Size | 12 nm |
| TDP | 125 W |
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super is an intriguing choice for anyone with an i5-4690, particularly if you’re hunting for a GPU that can offer a bit more oomph. From my own experience, this card has been a reliable performer for 1080p gaming, and it’s also quite adept at handling tasks beyond gaming. It’s a bit of a gem, especially if you can snag one on the second-hand market, where it often pops up. The GTX 1660 Super and the i5-4690 are like a well-matched duo, delivering solid performance without any significant bottlenecks. It breezes through games like ‘Call of Duty: Warzone’ and ‘GTA V’ at high settings in 1080p. However, in the current gaming scene, pushing it to 1440p might be asking a bit too much, especially for newer, more demanding titles.
Reasons to Buy:
- Stellar 1080p Performance: This card is a champ at delivering crisp and fluid gameplay in high settings at 1080p.
- Good Market Availability: Often available second-hand, making it a smart, budget-friendly choice.
- Balanced with i5-4690: Fits like a glove with your processor, offering good performance without the bottleneck worry.
Reasons to Not Buy:
- Struggles at 1440p: It’s not quite cut out for higher resolutions in the latest games.
- Limited Future-Proofing: As gaming tech advances, this card might start to lag behind a bit.
4. Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
| Memory Size [VRAM] | 6 GB |
| Clock | 1365 MHz – 1680 MHz |
| Process Size | 12 nm |
| TDP | 160 W |
Upgrading to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with an i5-4690 is a bit of a mixed bag. While it’s a capable card that can bring you into the world of ray tracing, don’t expect to play the most demanding ray-traced games smoothly. The i5-4690, being an older CPU, may struggle to keep up in scenarios with heavy CPU usage. Despite this, the RTX 2060 does offer good performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming. You’ll see noticeable improvements in most games, but if you’re thinking about ray tracing, it’s more about having the feature than actually using it extensively. I’ve noticed this card can handle games like ‘Fortnite’ and ‘Overwatch’ really well at high settings, and it can even manage more demanding titles at 1440p, but you might have to dial back some settings for the smoothest experience.
Reasons to Buy:
- Good Performance: Solid for 1080p and acceptable for 1440p gaming.
- Ray Tracing Feature: It’s there if you want to experiment, but not a game-changer.
- Upgrade Worth Considering: Offers a noticeable jump in graphics quality and frame rates.
Reasons to Not Buy:
- Potential Bottleneck: The i5-4690 might slow down in CPU-heavy games or tasks.
- Limited Ray Tracing Use: More of a nice-to-have feature than a practical one for regular gaming.
Conclusion
- AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT: A budget-friendly option, great for entry-level 1080p gaming. However, its lack of an encoder and limited VRAM might be constraints.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super: Offers excellent value for 1080p gaming and is energy-efficient, making it a great match for the i5-4690.
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super: A strong performer for 1080p and decent at 1440p gaming. It’s a balanced upgrade that doesn’t push the i5-4690 too hard.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060: While it introduces ray tracing, don’t expect to heavily utilize this feature. It’s good for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but the i5-4690 might bottleneck in certain scenarios.
Personal Recommendation: If I had to choose one, my personal recommendation would be the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super. It offers the best balance between price, performance, and future-proofing for the i5-4690. It’s capable of handling most games very well at 1080p and can venture into 1440p gaming without causing significant bottlenecks. This GPU strikes the perfect balance for breathing new life into your i5-4690 system.