Reliable mid-range to high end graphics card recommendation request

[aporia]

I'd like recommendations for cards in the $300-400 US price range that I can count on to just work with no fuss. A manufacturer/model recommendation is preferred if you've had a good experience.

 

I've had to RMA a 2060 Super for thermal throttling below base clock with fans at 100% in a well ventilated case and am about to have to RMA a 5700 XT for intermittent black screens. (And before you ask, both were tested in two different systems with adequate power supplies and safe mode DDU between card swaps). Add in OS reinstalls, MOBO BIOS versions, checking with older known good cards... and a lot of other troubleshooting and I'm just worn out at this point.

 

I was happy with the 5700XT (otherwise) but I'm worried a replacement could have the same issue if it is due to drivers like I have seen reported in some places.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[seon123]

If you just want reliability, then get a Quadro or Firepro. The P2000 costs $400.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/x4bkcf/pny-quadro-p2000-5gb-video-card-vcqp2000-pb

[LogicWeasel]

Mostly linking this because of what a big discount it's on right now, but for a net-cost of $429  ($70 off instant, and $30 MIR) RTX 2070 Asus Strix: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/87F48d/asus-geforce-rtx-2070-8gb-video-card-rog-strix-rtx2070-o8g-gaming

[Jimjamesjimothy8]

11 minutes ago, seon123 said:

If you just want reliability, then get a Quadro or Firepro. The P2000 costs $400.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/x4bkcf/pny-quadro-p2000-5gb-video-card-vcqp2000-pb

Why would you buy a $400 card with GTX 1050 performance? Does it have professional drivers or something else to justify spending extra money on it?

[BTGbullseye]

1 minute ago, TrainFan2019 said:

Why would you buy a $400 card with GTX 1050 performance? Does it have professional drivers or something else to justify spending extra money on it?

Pretty much. It's only really useful for professional applications, not designed for gaming capability.

[seon123]

Just now, TrainFan2019 said:

Why would you buy a $400 card with GTX 1050 performance? Does it have professional drivers or something else I'm missing?

Some programs are seriously nerfed by Nvidia on non-Quadro cards. E.g. CATIA, where it's well ahead of e.g. the 1650.

Spoiler

https://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-Quadro-P2000-Laptop-Graphics-Card.328708.0.html

OP asked for reliability, and has not mentioned gaming anywhere. A WS GPU fits that description well.

[aporia]

1 minute ago, seon123 said:

Some programs are seriously nerfed by Nvidia on non-Quadro cards. E.g. CATIA, where it's well ahead of e.g. the 1650.

  Reveal hidden contents

https://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-Quadro-P2000-Laptop-Graphics-Card.328708.0.html

OP asked for reliability, and has not mentioned gaming anywhere. A WS GPU fits that description well.

That's true, and I apologize for not being more clear. I should have realized professional cards are the clear answer if reliability is the only thing I care about. I do intend to use it for gaming though, so it's really more of a "as reliable as is reasonably possible for a consumer card" type question. Basically I'm just worn out from the troubleshooting.

[BTGbullseye]

13 minutes ago, aporia said:

That's true, and I apologize for not being more clear. I should have realized professional cards are the clear answer if reliability is the only thing I care about. I do intend to use it for gaming though, so it's really more of a "as reliable as is reasonably possible for a consumer card" type question. Basically I'm just worn out from the troubleshooting.

Unfortunately, right now you've already tried the 2 best options... The issues you're having with both are considered very uncommon now. (the intermittent black screen of the 5700 XT was a combination driver and overheating issue, a more aggressive fan curve and the latest drivers fix it)

[Jimjamesjimothy8]

26 minutes ago, aporia said:

That's true, and I apologize for not being more clear. I should have realized professional cards are the clear answer if reliability is the only thing I care about. I do intend to use it for gaming though, so it's really more of a "as reliable as is reasonably possible for a consumer card" type question. Basically I'm just worn out from the troubleshooting.

Maybe a rog strix rtx 2060 would be good. They have the world's beefiest coolers.

[BTGbullseye]

1 hour ago, TrainFan2019 said:

Maybe a rog strix rtx 2060 would be good. They have the world's beefiest coolers.

And if they're on a 5700 XT, the worst cooling performance of any 5700 XT cooler, apart from their own TUF cooler.