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Need help with picking out a GPU.....

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  • GPUs
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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March 15, 2013 11:54:15 AM

OK, I have decided after a long break from pc building, to build a new gaming rig.

I am stuck on what GPU to get.

I like the reviews on MSI's 660TI Super clocked. I am a bit worried about the bandwidth limits on the card.

I will mention that I had a bad experience last time with ATI, so I am leery about that chip. I would give them a try if there is a good performance difference to consider.

I am open to (and my prefer) an SLI solution.

I would like to stay less than $ 350.

I play most games as they come out (FPS, RPG and some more basic on-line games)

Any ideas would help.

Thanks!

More about : picking gpu

March 15, 2013 12:03:14 PM

I would not worry about any bandwidth limit on this card. The reviews are pretty accurate. Although, if you're looking to stay around $350, I would highly recommend you go ahead and spend $20 more and get a GTX 670:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

You won't regret it. The performance is nearly identical to a GTX 680. At that price, you should snatch one up.

That particular 670 even has a $15 rebate which puts you right around $350. Awesome performance.
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March 15, 2013 12:15:11 PM

Thanks for the info. Whats you opinion on an SLI option?
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March 15, 2013 12:17:34 PM

ATI doesn't technically exist anymore. It's a part of AMD now :) 

The GPU's they make are pretty much on par with any of Nvidia's offerings. If not a little better.

As far as recommendations go, I'd buy myself a 7870 XT. It uses a GPU that can be found in a 7950. It's the best value right now. If you want Nvidia, you should go with a 670.
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March 15, 2013 12:32:53 PM

I'd look into an HD 7870 LE. They are the most capable 7870 at approx $240 (newegg). If you have a little time you can wait for the HD 8850 / 8870 in a month or 3.

Below is a link to GPU performance vs price. It's not be best - clearly GPU performance depends on the game, program ...

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

Also, if you look at tom's guide to GPU's you'll get some more data.

Good Luck !!
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March 15, 2013 12:33:26 PM

GamerHell said:
Thanks for the info. Whats you opinion on an SLI option?


I love SLI performance. It's excellent.

I used a crossfire setup before with 2x5850s and then 3x5850s. I had all sorts of issues with microstutter and various driver problems. The framerates were awesome, but the display wasn't. Totally choppy because of the microstutter. Stroboscopic at times.

I just accepted it because everyone said both crossfire and SLI have issues with microstutter, until I swapped those out for a pair of GTX 580s (and now my 2 GTX 680s - mouse over my avatar to see my current SLI setup) in SLI. The microstutter went away. Everything smoothed right out.

I'll probably never go back to AMD cards as a result.
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March 15, 2013 12:34:21 PM

gamingboy said:
ATI doesn't technically exist anymore. It's a part of AMD now :) 

The GPU's they make are pretty much on par with any of Nvidia's offerings. If not a little better.

As far as recommendations go, I'd buy myself a 7870 XT. It uses a GPU that can be found in a 7950. It's the best value right now. If you want Nvidia, you should go with a 670.



What about this? http://www.microcenter.com/product/405812/HD7870-DC2-2G...
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March 15, 2013 12:43:33 PM

GamerHell said:
gamingboy said:
ATI doesn't technically exist anymore. It's a part of AMD now :) 

The GPU's they make are pretty much on par with any of Nvidia's offerings. If not a little better.

As far as recommendations go, I'd buy myself a 7870 XT. It uses a GPU that can be found in a 7950. It's the best value right now. If you want Nvidia, you should go with a 670.



What about this? http://www.microcenter.com/product/405812/HD7870-DC2-2G...


That is the regular 7870. I think that you can get a 7870 XT/LE (same GPU) for the same price. The XT/LE version has better performance.
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March 15, 2013 12:51:09 PM

gamingboy said:
GamerHell said:
gamingboy said:
ATI doesn't technically exist anymore. It's a part of AMD now :) 

The GPU's they make are pretty much on par with any of Nvidia's offerings. If not a little better.

As far as recommendations go, I'd buy myself a 7870 XT. It uses a GPU that can be found in a 7950. It's the best value right now. If you want Nvidia, you should go with a 670.



What about this? http://www.microcenter.com/product/405812/HD7870-DC2-2G...


That is the regular 7870. I think that you can get a 7870 XT/LE (same GPU) for the same price. The XT/LE version has better performance.


They are discontinued now
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March 15, 2013 12:54:02 PM


GamerHell said:
gamingboy said:
GamerHell said:
gamingboy said:
ATI doesn't technically exist anymore. It's a part of AMD now :) 

The GPU's they make are pretty much on par with any of Nvidia's offerings. If not a little better.

As far as recommendations go, I'd buy myself a 7870 XT. It uses a GPU that can be found in a 7950. It's the best value right now. If you want Nvidia, you should go with a 670.



What about this? http://www.microcenter.com/product/405812/HD7870-DC2-2G...


That is the regular 7870. I think that you can get a 7870 XT/LE (same GPU) for the same price. The XT/LE version has better performance.


They are discontinued now


They have some at Newegg : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
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March 15, 2013 12:57:06 PM

Thus my original answer mentioning newegg.
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March 16, 2013 6:55:27 AM

Was the budget for a card reduced or something? Why are we considering $250 cards now?

A 7870 might be sufficient, but at that rate, so is a 5450. If you want performance within your $350 range and you want to crank the details and use AA on a single 1080p monitor, go with the GTX 670 I posted above. If you are willing to settle and sacrifice performance when it comes to gaming, then spend less and get a 7870. If you want something adequate, get the 7870. If you want something that kicks arse and won't be choppy with just about anything, get the GTX 670. Of course, it's up to you.
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