The point is, they're not just
faster, they offer a greater value for your dollar. They keep a resale price if they're resold 5 years later, and it can be pretty substantial too especially if new generations don't keep on giving, and I think it needs no discussion that we've definitely arrived at that point. Basically what I'm saying is, an x60 (and other entry-mid range stuff in laptops etc.) in most cases to me has been an experience of penny wise, pound stupid. It is much wiser to be saving a little more and then getting a well rounded card that not only gives you an initially better gaming experience, but also keeps value that much longer and can be kept for longer. And this is doubly true in the case of a very overpriced x60(ti), with cards that offer +40% (!!!) raster perf sitting at a price point a mere 20% higher. Even if local pricing makes that 30%, its still a much better deal, and on top of the initial FPS/$ bonus, you can recoup the 20% you lost (and often more) if you resell the card before its completely obsolete.
And the obsolete part ties in heavily with overall performance with a heavy emphasis on the memory system's capability, because there's little wiggle room there for tweaking.
I'm honestly staggered I have to explain this, which to me seems basic reasoning. Being smart with your $$$ is especially useful if your budgets are tight. I've been on tight budgets in my life... the cheap route is the good old story of the 'quality of shoes'. Poor people buy cheap shoes and keep changing them every year. Rich people buy shoes that last 10 years and comparatively keep more money in pocket over that period of time - but here's the kicker: they paid, say 200 bucks initially in year 1. The poor guys pay 20 bucks the first year... but then inflation made the next pair 25 bucks, and the third time they want something different so they spend 35. This is part of the reason the rich get richer and the poor never get out of their situation. And, you can walk with a GPU until your foot's sticking through the bottom, or you can maintain it well and sell it off while its still in great condition. This part, is a true case of being smart with your finances - suppressing the 'urge' and using rationale. Let's be honest here, if you can save up $400,-, you can also save up $500,-.
So,
yes there is a perspective beyond the benchmark.
To illustrate: when I started playing smart I sold my GTX 770 for 150 EUR, around when maxwell got released, I then bought a 780ti for 250 EUR 2nd hand. Sold it in 2016 for 150. I bought a 1080 at that point for 520 (actually 420 because I didnt have to pay tax but let's not count that
) and sold it last year for 200,-. You tell me you can get that lifetime of great gaming out of x60s spending the same money. It aint happening.
