Best GFX Card for under $500

ren3gade · May 20, 2013

I am looking to build a new system..

So my question is...

What is the best Graphics Card I can get for $500 or under. (I want the best performance, reliability, and I want it to stay cool)

Thanks for the help!

Jack Revenant · May 20, 2013

"best is a tricky word, honestly. However, for around that price, I tend to recommend the Sapphire Vapor-X 7970 Ghz. Edition: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202001&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
It's a powerful, well-cooled card from a good brand. That said, I couldn't say it was "the best", just a good card, and one that I consider good enough to use myself.

killerhurtalot · May 20, 2013

Wait until the GTX 770s come out.

That's gonna be the best one lol.

thasan1 · May 20, 2013

best is i guess radeon HD 7970ghz. but i recommend waiting about a month or 2 for the GF 700 series. you might get a better card for the money.

Jack Revenant · May 20, 2013

thasan1 :

+1. We can't be entirely sure about the 770 until we see a direct comparison with current cards, but it would be prudent to wait and make sure that you get the most optimal card.

ren3gade · May 20, 2013

killerhurtalot :

Any idea when they will be released? I'm wanting to build my rig within next few weeks probably.

thasan1 · May 20, 2013

well they should come out by june.

ren3gade · May 20, 2013

Jack Revenant :

Damn I like that. I havent seen that card, but it looks great.
I am considering it greatly. I would rather wait for new Nvidia line-up.. but it seems too far away

ren3gade · May 20, 2013

thasan1 :

Hmm, awesome. I will just wait and see I suppose

killerhurtalot · May 20, 2013

Jack Revenant :

from the specs, it's a GTX 680 with a GTX 680 OC clock (1086mhz stock for GTX 770 vs 1006 stock for GTX 680) .... and I'm willing to bet that with the improved cooler, it would be better at overclocking....

Jack Revenant · May 20, 2013

killerhurtalot :

A fairly safe bet, but, as said, we need to see benchmarks, launch prices, and overclocking results before we recommend anything. Fortunately, those will all be available at launch or very soon thereafter.

ren3gade · May 20, 2013

I like the 7970's cuz Idk which one I would get either. Plus they don't have as good of ratings and other Nvidia cards on Newegg :/

Jack Revenant · May 20, 2013

ren3gade :

I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean.

ren3gade · May 21, 2013

Jack Revenant :

The 7970s look very nice. But the ratings on the 7970s on Newegg are much worse than the ratings on the Nvidia Cards. Basically what I'm saying is, the Nvidia cards have better ratings for some reason. The AMD 7970s all have worse ratings for some reason.

thasan1 · May 21, 2013

ren3gade :

Jack Revenant :

The 7970s look very nice. But the ratings on the 7970s on Newegg are much worse than the ratings on the Nvidia Cards. Basically what I'm saying is, the Nvidia cards have better ratings for some reason. The AMD 7970s all have worse ratings for some reason.

maybe they are quite noisy? or was that 7970Ghz edition?

notea · May 21, 2013

rumour: 780 launch price = $699, 770 = $450, 780 will be launched 23rd May and 770 on 30th May , wait if you can, otherwise the 7970 Ghz is a good choice

Jack Revenant · May 21, 2013

ren3gade :

I wouldn't worry too much about those ratings. Unless a large body of the ratings for a product say "DOA" or "damaged my system", I don't tend to consider them worthy of note. The 7970 is an excellent card, so long as you buy from a good brand (Sapphire, ASUS, and Gigabyte would be my recommended list).

ren3gade · May 21, 2013

Jack Revenant :

ren3gade :

I wouldn't worry too much about those ratings. Unless a large body of the ratings for a product say "DOA" or "damaged my system", I don't tend to consider them worthy of note. The 7970 is an excellent card, so long as you buy from a good brand (Sapphire, ASUS, and Gigabyte would be my recommended list).

Alright thanks man, and thanks to everyone else.
I guess I will wait until the 770 comes out. Will it be better than paying $450 or so for a nice 7970 or just for a new 770? Hmm..

Jack Revenant · May 21, 2013

ren3gade :

Jack Revenant :

Alright thanks man, and thanks to everyone else.
I guess I will wait until the 770 comes out. Will it be better than paying $450 or so for a nice 7970 or just for a new 770? Hmm..

Look for benchmarks and reviews comparing the two. The best way to determine which is superior is to compare them, ideally on a game or games which you intend to play.

notea · May 22, 2013

here's some leaked 770vs 680 Synthetic Benchmarks http://www.eteknix.com/nvidia-gtx-770-performance-revealed/

killerhurtalot · May 24, 2013

ren3gade :

May 30th. it's literally a Overclocked GTX 680 (stock clock of 1086mhz instead of 1006mhz)

ren3gade · May 26, 2013

I just seen the 780s.. they are sick. Getting close stats to the Titan if tweaked a bit? I'm just gonna change around my build a bit and go with a 780.

Im gonna get this one i think - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130918

Best GFX Card for under $500

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