Help! I need a new graphics card.

[richbeck2]

Hey guys,

Just joined today and need some help getting a decent graphics card that won't cost a fortune. I would like it to be under £200, ideally closer to £100 .

I have not upgraded my graphics card for quite a while and it is really starting to lag behind. I am currently using: GeForce 9600 GT [geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-9600-gt/specifications]


I don't play the latest games (other than Diablo 3), I am thinking of buying a projector (1080p) at some point in the not so distant future and would prefer if the graphics card can manage 3D (just in case) and ideally has HDMI & dual DVI ports. I am thinking of upgrading to either: GeForce GTX 560 Ti or GeForce GTX 480. I have nothing against ATI graphics cards, on paper they look better but using the benchmarks they almost always seem to come out worse.

I am just after feedback, good value for money suggestions and recommendations, can you help ?

[Sneaky2008]

If I were you I would get something like the 2GB MSI GTX 660 Twin Frozr 3 from Scan.co.uk for £178.39.

[dacads]

Radeon 7850 or 7870

GTX 480 is old and power hungry

[Willzzz]

Yup the MSI GTX 660 is excellent.

[richbeck2]

If I were you I would get something like the 2GB MSI GTX 660 Twin Frozr 3 from Scan.co.uk for £178.39.

Looks like a nice graphics card at not an unreasonable price. Comparing the two, using: HWCompare



I am not sure my motherboard can cope & would support the GTX 660's Bus requirement: "PCIe 3.0 x16" as it is a few years old. Is there an easy way to find out?

[kalniel]

I am not sure my motherboard can cope & would support the GTX 660's Bus requirement: "PCIe 3.0 x16" as it is a few years old. Is there an easy way to find out?

As in your other thread. It's fully compatible with PCIe 2.0 and 1.0. (please don't reply to both threads or it'll just get confusing )

[c12038]

First of all what PSU have you got make and model as giving you any info would be useless without this info

[holy god of nil]

660 or 7850

660 is faster + more expensive (and probably a bit hotter/more power hungry)

7850 is cheap + keeps getting cheaper, great overclocker, quiet + cool but a bit slower

You could also get a 7870 of course but as 7850s seems to overclock up to 7870 levels it seems a bit pointless

[richbeck2]

First of all what PSU have you got make and model as giving you any info would be useless without this info

This is my PSU, given its modular and 620w, I would presume its enough:
Corsair - HX620w

[richbeck2]

This is my PSU, given its modular and 620w, I would presume its enough:
Corsair - HX620w

Ok, the link failed...
I also have the specs for my Motherboard: http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/Inte...t_775/P5Q_PRO/

[dacads]

http://www.hwcompare.com/13302/gefor...adeon-hd-7870/

If you're into looking at specs the 7870 is clearly better and performance wise as well on average

[Willzzz]

660 or 7850

660 is faster + more expensive (and probably a bit hotter/more power hungry)

7850 is cheap + keeps getting cheaper, great overclocker, quiet + cool but a bit slower

You could also get a 7870 of course but as 7850s seems to overclock up to 7870 levels it seems a bit pointless

The 7870 isn't just a 7850 at higher clockspeed, there is extra hardware there as well.

The 7870 might be better than a GTX 660 in theory (pixel rate) but that doesn't necessarily hold true in reality.

Across a broad range of games they are equal, but it depends what you play.

[c12038]

Guys you seem to missing the point here the OP requires a card not a discussion on which is better or worse.........


The PSU you have is a good one in my opinion based on your BUDGET <<<< it would be either a 7870 or a 670GTX both are good card read a few reviews on each one then make your own mind up...


Hope this helps

[Willzzz]

How can you make a recommendation without bringing better and worse into it?

Basically all the cards are pretty much worth what is being asked for them.

£130 7850 1GB
£150 7850 2GB
£180 GTX660 or 7870

Up to you how much you wish to spend.

[richbeck2]

How can you make a recommendation without bringing better and worse into it?

Basically all the cards are pretty much worth what is being asked for them.

£130 7850 1GB
£150 7850 2GB
£180 GTX660 or 7870

Up to you how much you wish to spend.

I have noticed that you generally get what you pay for with graphics cards, however old stock seems to either dip in price as they get out-dated OR [strangely] increase, making it appear to better than it is - I started out using OCUK to try and find a graphics card and was not too impressed most of the models I was finding, based off benchmarking sites were *GRADE B* quality. I guess that is partly due to the benchmarking sites not being kept up to date?!?

[holy god of nil]

Guys you seem to missing the point here the OP requires a card not a discussion on which is better or worse.........


The PSU you have is a good one in my opinion based on your BUDGET <<<< it would be either a 7870 or a 670GTX both are good card read a few reviews on each one then make your own mind up...


Hope this helps

Mindless dribbling imbeciles taking a about Sh*t again

What are you talking about?!

For starters the OP says he wants to spend less than 200, preferably closer to 100! How exactly is he going to get a 670 anywhere near that budget?