The GTX 1650 Claims the Top Spot – What‘s Behind This GPU Upset?

The reliable yet aging Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 recently clinched the top spot among GPUs in Steam‘s massive monthly hardware survey. It dethroned the GTX 1060, which enjoyed an astonishing three-year reign as users‘ card of choice.

This surprise shakeup prompts some fascinating questions around PC gaming dynamics as we head into 2023…

• What‘s behind the GTX 1650‘s sudden rise in popularity?
• How does it stack up against newer midrange cards on the market?
• Is the GTX 1650 still a smart buy today for gamers on a budget?
• And how long can it fend off the next wave of GPU challengers?

I‘ll tackle all aspects of the plucky 1650‘s emergence as your friendly neighborhood hardware analyst. Expect hard data, expert takes, and shopper guidance as we probe this graphics card drama!

Tracking Broad PC Gaming Trends Via Steam

First, let‘s level-set on why Steam‘s survey holds weight. Steam is a ubiquitous PC gaming platform used by tens of millions worldwide. Participation in its monthly survey is fully opt-in, with over 120 million submissions as of November 2022.

While voluntary survey sampling presents limitations, the sheer breadth grants valuable insight into what hardware gamers currently fire up. The November numbers paint Nvidia in a dominant market position at 75% share versus just 15% for AMD.

So when shifts transpire among Nvidia cards atop the Steam charts, it signals meaningful moves in wider adoption that warrant a deeper look.

Why Did the GTX 1060 Finally Relinquish Its Crown?

The GTX 1060 stood as Steam gamers‘ graphics card of choice from mid-2019 until this November – an astonishing 36 months at #1.

Nathan Navarro, GPU analyst at PC Benchmarks, suggests a few factors behind its sudden decline. The primary issue? Good old age and the relentless march of progress.

"The GTX 1060 delivered exceptional 1080p gameplay value after its 2016 launch," said Navarro. "But even durable cards eventually show their age as games and graphics tech advance."

This leaves many 1060 owners no longer able to hit optimal FPS and graphics settings in modern titles. Upgrading becomes increasingly necessary for playable experiences as developers leverage new hardware capabilities.

Yet the great GPU drought of 2020-2022 stifled the typical upgrade cycle, with shoppers unwilling or unable to find cards providing solid generational leaps at sane prices.

Cryptomining demand saw midrange cards like Nvidia‘s RTX 3060 Ti fetch $1200+ from resellers despite $400 MSRPs. Lower-end GPUs suffered huge availability shortages amid supply chain woes. High prices and low inventory forced many, including legions of 1060 users, to stand pat.

"But the tide may be turning," Navarro added. "Crypto‘s cool-off coupled with manufacturing rebounding reduces constraints, so there are finally some better current-gen options appearing at non-absurd pricing."

The GTX 1650 seems a prime example – a affordable new(ish) alternative from 2019 that eases budget upgraders off their aged hardware by providing modern conveniences and solid 1080p gameplay.

Let‘s explore how it stacks up even years later…

GTX 1650 Specs and Performance – How Does This "Budget" Card Fare?

The GTX 1650 debuted in April 2019 as a value-minded addition to Nvidia‘s lineup, carrying a $150 starting price. Its Turing architecture brought modern capabilities while avoiding sticker shock.

Some key GTX 1650 specs:

The 1650 took some lumps given its budget design. Critiques called out compromises like the narrow 128-bit memory bus and lack of support for real-time ray tracing or AI-powered upscaling tech like DLSS.

But don‘t underestimate this little card even years later! Its 1080p gaming prowess remains solid despite some settings concessions, as Navarro affirms.

"The GTX 1650 handles lighter competitive titles like Valorant or CS:GO excellently while also tackling new AAA games at 30-60 FPS if you dial graphics down a bit," he said. "Of course buyers shouldn‘t expect bleeding-edge 4K visuals and 100+ frame rates without compromises."

Indeed, comparing the 1650‘s specs and asking price to Nvidia‘s latest $900 RTX 4070 exposes stark generational leaps in raw performance. The 4070 delivers nearly triple the frames along with advanced features.

Yet financial reality means such brand-new cards stay out of reach for many. The good news? There are still deals on "last-gen" 1650s to provide a playable experience using modern architecture – a great option for upgraders seeking smooth 1080p gaming without breaking the bank.

GTX 1650 vs. RTX 3060 and Other GPU Contenders

The GTX 1650 enjoyed a steady spot as a leading value choice the past couple years, but its reign now comes with a line of hungry challengers salivating. How does it compare head-to-head?

The RTX 3060 serves as an obvious competitor wielding far spicier specs and excellent 1440p potential thanks to DLSS and ray tracing support. But crippling shortages kept asking prices above $500 for much of its existence. Superior performance aside, lacking availability and approachable pricing diminished its impact.

AMD‘s Radeon RX 6600 XT presents another enticing challenger on paper. It nearly matched the RTX 3060‘s prowess in many titles for only a small premium…again, in theory.

Actual street pricing told a different story until recently for Team Red too. The RX 6600 XT routinely sold for $100+ over MSRP at retailers. We‘re only now seeing the card become obtainable at sane prices to match its performance value proposition.

This analysis shows the GTX 1650 lagging behind the premium experiences delivered by pricier modern midrange offerings. The 1080p gaming crown belongs to newer GPUs designed to maximize performance.

Yet the 1650‘s lower asking price and adequate base performance keep it competitively relevant for cost-conscious upgraders. It slid perfectly into the value void left as inflated costs put faster cards out of reach for many Steam gamers until recently.

Should You Actually Buy a GTX 1650 Today?

The GTX 1650 seems a rational fallback choice given tight budgets. But how long can a 2019 card stay viable? I asked Navarro whether buying a 1650 still makes sense this deep into its lifecycle.

"I think grabbing a 1650 under $200 remains justifiable if you temper expectations and mainly play esports or less demanding games," he explained. "Prioritize titles that allow you to maximize FPS headroom over visuals."

Navarro suggests buyers ensure the 1650 won‘t bottleneck their CPU or PSU. While no powerhouse, its1080p prowess hits a good quality baseline.

"Unless you score a used 1080 Ti for the same money, this little card can still drive smooth medium-quality gaming today without breaking the bank." he continued. "Just know you might face another upgrade sooner than later as titles progress."

I asked what about buyers holding out for next-gen GPUs arriving later this year instead. Nvidia‘s RTX 4060 and AMD‘s RX 7600 XT will invariably eclipse today‘s entry-level offerings.

"New generations often sell out instantly even with healthy stock," Navarro cautioned. "And rumors point to a $300+ RTX 4060. That likely positions it out of reach for more cost-conscious gamers anyway."

Ultimately he feels budget buyers should weigh their needs rather than fixating on what‘s new. If you currently lack a discrete GPU and find a solid 1650 deal, jumping now enables enjoyable gaming instead of waiting indefinitely for supply to improve.

Can the GTX 1650 Fend Off Coming Challengers?

The GTX 1650 seems poised for a sustained run topping Steam‘s survey given its strong reputation and constant availability. But modern alternatives loom from both AMD and Nvidia to challenge its reign in 2023.

"I could see the RTX 3050 capturing more gamers if prices stabilize around $250," Navarro predicts. "It‘s basically a superior GTX 1650 successor that launched at $249 MSRP."

The ongoing crypto decline may also soon spill higher-end used GPUs onto resale markets, opening more affordable options for buyers less constrained by ultra tight budgets.

But for now the GTX 1650 appears set up as the de facto mainstream value choice for cost-savvy upgraders – especially those on older platforms simply seeking playable framerates. Its new architecture and used pricing should fend off obsolescence for at least another year or so.

Steam numbers showing the card among the survey‘s fastest risers back this notion. The real intrigue seems not whether the 1650 has legs heading into 2023, but just how long it can hold off the mounting pressure from next-gen options angling to unseat it…

I‘ll be keeping close tabs on the battle for budget GPU supremacy as it rages in the coming months!

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FAQs

Should I upgrade my 3+ year old GPU in 2023?

Upgrading from a card more than 2-3 generations old often provides major performance lifts and enables new graphics features. If your GPU already struggles in games at your target resolution, a refresh makes sense.

Can I add a used graphics card to my PC?

Absolutely! Just ensure your power supply has enough headroom and Physical space fits inside the case. Test any used GPU before purchase to check for issues.

How future-proof are new low-end graphics cards?

Budget cards like the GTX 1650 lack headroom for more demanding future games. But they still enable good 1080p gaming today. Plan to upgrade again within 2-3 years for optimal experience as games evolve.

Should I buy the GTX 1650 or wait for next-gen GPUs?

The GTX 1650 remains a capable 1080p option if found under $200. Next-gen midrange cards will assuredly surpass it later this year. But expect shortages and high resale markups initially upon launch.