Why is this GPU still so POPULAR?? The Nvidia GT 1030

Summary

In this video, the reviewer showcases the Nvidia GT 1030, a budget-friendly, low-profile graphics card, ideal for office PCs and casual gaming. They test its performance in various games, starting with Apex Legends and moving through more demanding titles like Call of Duty Warzone 2 and Cyberpunk 2077. Despite its low price and power consumption, the GT 1030 delivers solid results in games like Counter-Strike 2, Fortnite, and GTA 5, offering an enjoyable experience. For users seeking better performance in a similar form factor, the GTX 1650 is recommended as a worthwhile upgrade. The video highlights the surprising value of this card for its price.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nvidia released the low-power, low-profile GT 1030 graphics card on May 17th, 2017, designed for office PCs but also capable of gaming in small form factors.
• 😀 The GT 1030 can be found for as low as $34, offering 2GB of GDDR5 memory with base and boost clocks of 1290 MHz and 1544 MHz respectively.
• 😀 The GT 1030 does not require additional power connectors and only uses 30 watts, making it ideal for office PCs with limited power.
• 😀 Despite being a low-profile card, the GT 1030 occupies two slots due to the height of its cooler, so users must ensure there is enough space in their PC case.
• 😀 While cleaning the card, the reviewer noticed a piece of plastic at the end of the cooler, suggesting it should be removed before use.
• 😀 The GT 1030 was tested in a Dell Optiplex 720, a popular small-form-factor office PC with an Intel Core i5-4590 processor and 16GB of DDR3 memory.
• 😀 The full-size PCIe slot in the Optiplex 720 was obstructed by a USB connector, but the GT 1030 was still able to fit in a smaller PCIe slot without any issues.
• 😀 Gaming performance varied: Apex Legends ran at 64 FPS on medium settings, while Call of Duty Warzone 2 achieved 33 FPS on basic settings.
• 😀 Counter-Strike 2 showed impressive performance, reaching 144 FPS on medium settings, proving the card’s potential for competitive gaming.
• 😀 Cyberpunk 2077 performed poorly on the GT 1030, with just 25 FPS on low settings and only 10 FPS for 1% lows, indicating the card's limitations with demanding titles.
• 😀 Other games like Fortnite and GTA 5 performed well, with Fortnite reaching 45 FPS and GTA 5 averaging 52 FPS on high settings.
• 😀 The reviewer concluded that the GT 1030 is a great budget option for casual gaming and office work, but for better performance, the GTX 1650 in a low-profile form factor is recommended.

Q & A

What is the Nvidia GT 1030, and when was it released?

The Nvidia GT 1030 is a low-power, low-profile graphics card designed primarily as a display adapter. It was released on May 17th, 2017.

What is the price of the Nvidia GT 1030 as mentioned in the video?

The Nvidia GT 1030 can be purchased for as low as $34, which is the price the reviewer paid for their specific model.

What are the key specifications of the Nvidia GT 1030?

The GT 1030 comes with 2GB of GDDR5 memory, a base clock of 1290 MHz, and a boost clock of 1544 MHz. It consumes about 30W of power and doesn't require additional power connectors.

Why is it important to clean the Nvidia GT 1030 before testing it?

Cleaning the GT 1030 before testing ensures optimal airflow and cooling, especially since the card had some dust buildup. This is crucial for preventing overheating and ensuring the card runs efficiently during testing.

What issue was discovered during the cleaning process of the GT 1030?

The reviewer noticed a small piece of plastic still attached to the end of the cooler. The reviewer considered whether it should be removed, hinting it might have been an oversight during manufacturing.

What was the initial installation issue with the GT 1030 in the Dell OptiPlex 720?

The GT 1030 would fit in the full-size PCIe slot, but a USB connector was in the way, blocking its installation. The fan would also be obstructed by the power supply unit (PSU).

How was the installation issue resolved for the GT 1030 in the Dell OptiPlex 720?

The issue was resolved by using a smaller PCIe slot with four PCI lanes, which still allowed the GT 1030 to work at full performance. This also ensured that the fan could get enough airflow.

What games were tested on the GT 1030 in the video, and how did it perform in each?

The following games were tested: Apex Legends (64 FPS average), Call of Duty Warzone 2 (33 FPS average), Counterstrike 2 (144 FPS average), Cyberpunk 2077 (25 FPS average), Fortnite (45 FPS average), GTA 5 (52 FPS average), Halo Infinite (40 FPS average), Overwatch 2 (88 FPS average), and Rocket League (163 FPS average). The GT 1030 performed well in less demanding games but struggled with more graphically intense titles.

What is the recommended alternative for those seeking better performance than the GT 1030?

The reviewer recommends the Nvidia GTX 1650 as a better alternative. It offers improved performance while still being available in a low-profile form factor.

Why does the reviewer suggest that the GTX 1650 is a better option for some users?

The GTX 1650 offers significantly better performance compared to the GT 1030, especially for more demanding games. While it's slightly more expensive, it's a good choice for users who need more power but still want a low-profile card.