Looking for a new GPU.

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technubcake

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Mar 4, 2013
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: I'm not entirely sure but definitely in 4 months.

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, video editing, school work, browsing the internet.

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: None, building a brand new rig.

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:

I will be getting an i5 3570k,

Asus P8Z77-V LX Motherboard

64 bit os (Windows 7)

550w power supply

8gb ram

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon.co.uk, not picky cheaper the better (UK)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Cheap but quality parts, such as PNY.

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI. Overclock only if I know what I'm doing and understand from guides how to do so, otherwise no.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080p

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Only using one monitor, the cpu will also be stock clocked, although I might use the turbo mode for the more intensive games out there. I live in the UK. I have roughly £600 for the WHOLE rig. I'm thinking about getting the gtx 660, and I'm planning to use Physx. I also want to be able to play those high end games at high to ultra. So any where between £150 to £200 is good for the GPU.

Thanks for reading c:
 
Solution
Onus
Ok then, that's a good PSU. If you enjoy PhysX, then stick with nVidia. Maybe get a GTX660Ti if you can, otherwise the GTX660 should be good. If it were me, I'd trade a few FPS to get PhysX, especially since, like you, I'm willing to lower other settings.
It is hard to predict the effect of overclocking, since results can be so variable.
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Norlag

Norlag

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Jan 7, 2013
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Few games even use physx, and amd gpus can use it (with a bit of effort) if it means that much to you. I personally think it's not worth passing up the increased performance in games and the overclockability you would get from a 7870 instead. If you can find one, get the 7870 le/xt, and there will be no contest.
 
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cbrunnem

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Dec 19, 2010
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with such a low end budget i think your best bet would be to down grade to an i3 and get a better gpu. im not sure what games you play but ultra on new games especially with how consoles are going is going to be tough with a 7870.

ALSO GET A HASWELL CPU AND BOARD lol they are coming out at the end of may beginning of june.
 
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Norlag

Norlag

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Jan 7, 2013
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That would be really expensive, and would likely be sold out for quite some time. If he gets a 7870 he can crossfire another one when he needs to upgrade. The 7870 (xt or le would be even better) is an awesome gpu, and should be quite capable for some time if he doesn't turn every setting to maximum.
 
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Onus

Onus

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Jan 27, 2006
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I'm concerned about that "550W" PSU. Make sure it is a quality brand and model, such as Seasonic, XFX, or perhaps FSP. A cheap PSU won't be good for what's on its label, can die under load, and may take other parts with it into the fiery abyss.
PhysX does NOT run on AMD cards. PhysX on the CPU can run if there's an AMD graphics card in the build, but is nowhere near as good as PhysX on a nVidia card. As has been pointed out though, few games use it (I like it in those that have it though). Find out if your video editing software will use either company's GPUs for GPGPU processing (AMD Stream or nVidia CUDA).
Otherwise, if necessary in order to get a better PSU, get a GTX650Ti Boost. It is almost as good as the GTX660, and trades blows with the HD7850 while costing less.
 
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technubcake

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Mar 4, 2013
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Hey guys, thanks for all the answers. The reason I wan't physx so badly is because I'm going to be playing a ton of borderlands 2. Also, the psu is an xfx 550w. But I do not mind getting an AMD card and ditching physx if it's not needed. Looking at this site http://www.hwcompare.com/13302/geforce-gtx-660-vs-radeon-hd-7870/ the only major difference is pixel rate. I don't know much about it, but is pixel rate really important? But anyway, if I can grab a 7870 as cheap as the gtx 660 which I currently have for £150 on amazon, then yeah sure I'll go for the AMD card. Although I'm worried about all the problems with the 7870 people have been experiencing?

PS: I don't really care about MAX graphics. I will turn down settings which I don't care about, (AA) and other un-unnecessary stuff such as motion blur, you get the point. The 650ti boost doesn't appeal to me :/

PSS: I'm willing to get a higher end card such as the gtx 670 if I'm really pushing my budget.

PSSS (lol): If I overclock my gpu, will it make much of a difference?
 
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Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
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Ok then, that's a good PSU. If you enjoy PhysX, then stick with nVidia. Maybe get a GTX660Ti if you can, otherwise the GTX660 should be good. If it were me, I'd trade a few FPS to get PhysX, especially since, like you, I'm willing to lower other settings.
It is hard to predict the effect of overclocking, since results can be so variable.
 
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cbrunnem

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haswell will be no more expensive then an equivalent ivy bridge build. maybe 20 bucks more but thats nothing.
 
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technubcake

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Mar 4, 2013
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You should see how overpriced stuff is in the UK because of VAT. £20 more is probably going to be added, then the VAT of 20% will add another £10 to an already expensive cpu.
 
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