Help! I need a new graphics card.

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 ?

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

Radeon 7850 or 7870 ;)

GTX 480 is old and power hungry

Yup the MSI GTX 660 is excellent.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

http://imageshack.us/a/img688/5136/capturegxj.png

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?

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Originally Posted by richbeck2

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?

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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 :p)

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

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

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Originally Posted by c12038

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

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

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Originally Posted by richbeck2

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

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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

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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.

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

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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?!?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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

Mindless dribbling imbeciles taking a about Sh*t again :)

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:redcard:

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?