GTX 1060 Ebay Buyer's Guide. (Old Miners)

[tp4tissue]

Nvidia GTX 1060

1:

CHECK the model number, there are so many iterations which look the same but may be very different.

For example, Evga's 1060 SSC/FTW/FTW+  (DT-versions), all may have the acx 3.0 cooler, and look the same, but they are NOT,  only the FTW and FTW+ have 6+1 Vrm, whereas SSC have 4+1.

The SC and Non-SC model have 3+1, Single fan Acx 2.0 cooler, the Non-SC base-base model has NO heatpipes, it's the most budget model.

DT Versions, such as FTW-DT, SSC-DT means, it failed to meet FTW test standards, but still has the FTW board/vrm layout. It's not as good, but tbh, they're all worn to about the same point after mining for 2 years.

2.

Now that you know what you're buying, m0ar VRM = Better.

3.

What about Mining, will they blow up ?

Good question the answer is YES !  Especially the early released models many had Vrm/ Cooling problems, and Mining made that worse. Go back to step 1, You want 6 VRM minimum, look for FTW/FTW+ models or equivalent from other manufacturers.

4.

AVOID ALL Single-Fan models, These came out earliest, they run the hottest, they have lower vrm count, AND they've been stuck in mining for ~2+ years.

5.

Seller claims They didn't mine. OK,  Check his Ebay SOLD and Completed listings,  If there are 8 other 1060gtx or Rx580, RX570 in there, he's a LIAR.

6.

Grease spots, You'd often see evga cards and Gigabyte cards with this greasy/ spotty residue on the cards,  This is silicone grease emanating out of the thermal pads.  The pads are designed for this, and are typically fine, it's just not pretty.

If you care about the aesthetic of cards without backplates, you need to use brake cleaner to get the stain out, because alcohol will not remove it.

Functionally, it's fine. You can swap out the pads as well, (1.5mm), but unnecessary on higher models, lower vrm count models may benefit.


7.

If you're considering Team RED, RX580

ONLY buy Sapphire nitro models and Powercolor Red Devil models, avoid everything else. (especially XFX, plague)

The RX580 is faster than 1060 in many games. and for the ~Same Price, you get 8GB vs 6GB on 1060

1060GTX has better Video playback (Madvr) support.