Graphics Card

**Bolkonsky** · June 20, 2012, 06:43 AM

OK so mine just finally busted (GTS 450) and I'm in the market for a new one a bit earlier than I hoped. I had planned an upgrade though, and I will likely get one next Friday or Saturday. Whenever I can head by the bank.

I'm looking at the 560ti 448 Core as I think that's still my best bet. $270 is pretty much my upper limit, cheaper is better but I want to get a decent card since I run everything at 1080p now.

I'm also not sure about VRAM since I see more and more people running like 2gb now. The 560ti 448 only seems to come with 1280mb of VRAM.

Anyways, I'm ultimately considering this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130738

But if anyone has better suggestions, or there's a better deal out there please let me know.

EDIT: Also, there's a 570 for the same price, is that a better deal?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130593

It has 32 more cores, that's the only difference I see.

**Totalheadache** · June 20, 2012, 06:56 AM

Yeah 2gb is really what you should be aiming at. It is starting to just become a factor. I havent noticed any issues with 1.5gb but have seen the odd game here or there using up a fair amount of vram...

Ofc amd is probably cheaper but i'd pay more and get an nvidia card. Up to you ofc.

Evga tends to be good in US re rma. I went with msi last time (good card). Depends also if you want one with a custom cooler. (it is nice to keep temps down whilst pusing a nice oc on the card).

so to answer your question neither of the above

i'd save up a bit more and go for a 670....(yeah i realise they are over budget...mmm maybe there's a good amd alternative if budget is an issue...perhaps someone else will give you some ideas on that).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127685

that's my pick from the egg.

**Bolkonsky** · June 20, 2012, 07:23 AM

I'm not sure what AMD has exactly, for cards right now. I wouldn't mind breaking into the 6xxx or 7xxx series right now. My only issue is the lack of robust OpenGL support, but I'm not sure if that's been fixed. And if the deal's good enough, I really wouldn't mind.

I honestly just can't do a 670. It's not a matter of saving up, it's a matter of I can't spend that much money on a computer right now, period. I've got to buy a car by September, and ofc insurance and gas will take it's toll, so I need to prioritize.

**Crazyeyesreaper** · June 20, 2012, 08:16 AM

for AMD open Gl support is fine for games where they fail right now is Open GL in professional applications such as Autodesk Maya etc,

660 from NVIDIA is probably his best bet but its nowhere to be found, it uses the same core as the GTX 680 just castrated, 1100 or so shaders 192 bit bus 1.5gb vram it should be directly comparible performance wise to the GTX 580 but will only need a single six pin power connector,

The 560 Ti 448 core and 570 have almost 0 performance difference the 448 core Ti is the better deal normally as its same performance lower cost, but in reality a 7870 walks all over anything NVIDIA has out in terms of price / performance / watt right now

1GHz factor OCed 7850, performance directly comparible to a GTX 580, and HD 7870 but only uses around 80-100w when gaming not a bad choice but since i know you need open gl seriously try and get by if possible untill the 660 launches
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131472

XFX 7870 comes with 2 game coupons Dirt Showdown and Dirt 3, sell them off should be able to make $50 back dropping cost down to $250 with a bit of overclocking it can catch up to the 7970 / 670 in some games
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150605

Best overall option GTX 660 when it launches

**Bolkonsky** · June 20, 2012, 10:24 AM

Is there a timescale on the 660 yet? My only other card is an 8400, soooo....

Been busy at work, so I have no time to keep up with this stuff.

Sent from my SGH-T499

**Crazyeyesreaper** · June 20, 2012, 01:40 PM

summer Acer Predator Gaming Rig will have GTX 660 1536mb gpu and launches June 25th, other sources say July-August time frame,

**Jaketh** · June 20, 2012, 03:48 PM

If you can wait that long(i would die without a gaming PC for an extended period of time) The 660 is definitely the best option. If you bought a 500 series you would be getting obsolete hardware.

**Bolkonsky** · June 20, 2012, 05:13 PM

Well it's not even as much a matter of gaming, it's a matter of school. I need to get a decent card.

Honestly I think I'll just bite the bullet and go with the 7850. I've never heard of PowerColor, but ASUS has a 2gb model for $260.

**Jaketh** · June 20, 2012, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Bolkonsky

Well it's not even as much a matter of gaming, it's a matter of school. I need to get a decent card.

Honestly I think I'll just bite the bullet and go with the 7850. I've never heard of PowerColor, but ASUS has a 2gb model for $260.

Asus should treat you right, my 5870 was an Asus.

**Bolkonsky** · June 20, 2012, 05:40 PM

Yeah, ASUS makes good stuff, know anything about their coolers, though? I might end up OC'ing it.

**Jaketh** · June 20, 2012, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Bolkonsky

Yeah, ASUS makes good stuff, know anything about their coolers, though? I might end up OC'ing it.

From the cards ive looked at and judging off mine they go overboard with cooling. My 5870 had a massive fan on it that sounded like a jet taking off if you cranked up the fan. Never saw it go over 65c ingame.

**Taiji** · June 21, 2012, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Bolkonsky

Yeah, ASUS makes good stuff, know anything about their coolers, though? I might end up OC'ing it.

Asus are usually decent for overclocking - Not all manufacturers deliver the card w/ sw to tweak volts, but Asus typically do.

**Totalheadache** · June 22, 2012, 10:30 AM

I wouldnt use asus volt tool i'd stick to afterburner.

Make sure you get a gpu that you can max out the volts on.

Cant some amd cards be "unlocked" as well. Not sure whether the 7850/7870 can do this..

it can be better to get an "unlockable" stock card rather than a factory oc model.

I go for msi cards atm..(had an asus it wasnt bad). But re ocing it's luck of the draw am afraid...you could get a lemon...

**Crazyeyesreaper** · June 22, 2012, 08:47 PM

with the card i picked out for Bolknosky is one of the best overclocking 7850s bar none sent it to him over steams starts at 1000 core, and at that its only a few % below a 7870 most hit 1150 at which point it rivals the 7950 / GTX 580 depending on the game, at 1200 core well it takes them both out most of the time, and still runs extremely cool

7800 series doesn't unlock that was 5800 and 6900 only aka 5850 could be flashed with a 5870 bios if it was a reference card certain 6950s could be shader unlocked to 6970s as well HD 7000 series doesnt have this option

as for GPU tweak yea its kinda weak for AMD gpus Sapphire Trixx is the better tool combined with GPU Tweak on ASUS for voltage support, ASUS tends to fairly often use different voltage controllers so MSI afterburner can have fits and on many occasions cannot alter voltages.

The Powercolor PCS+ 7850 i recommended should serve him just fine

the MSI Power Edition 7850 tends to top out at 1120 MHz
the ASUS Direct Cu II 7850 topped out at 1240
Reference 7850 topped out at 1140

Powercolor PCS+ 7850 tops out at 1245 core
Hexus got their PCS+ to 1200 core
In terms of Temps the Powercolor Topped out at 73'C when fully overclocked
In terms of fan noise the Powercolor puts almost every other brand to shame

Overclocked performance

Essentially its 140 MHz faster then stock on average can go another 150-250 MHz further giving it a full 30 % overclock headroom give or take of which performance scaling is in the range of 20-25% over stock 7850 putting it around 10% faster then a 7870