Need help on choosing a graphics card for new build

Michael Perkins

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Jun 2, 2013
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So, I have been toying around with several different builds the last couple of weeks in preparation for some money coming in, and I had a question on what GPU I would actually need. My monitor is at 1280x720, and while I won't be changing this anytime soon, I am thinking about purchasing a new monitor around the Christmas holidays.

For now, I need a GPU that can handle games like WoW, Rift, TOR, Skyrim and Fallout 3.

This is the current build I am running with at the moment:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($92.13 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XB (Black) ATX Desktop Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($47.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $469.04
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-14 05:04 EDT-0400)

To be honest, I am thinking of just going with an HD7770 for right now, because I don't think I would need anything over that. I don't play any FPS games online, so I don't need anything geared towards giving me the best performance in that area.

So can I dip below the HD7770 if I can find somehting worth the drop (talking 20+ bucks cheaper, or is that the lowest I'd want to go?
 
Solution
well if u go with the 7770 you will be more than fine for that resolution(720P) and if u plan to upgrade ur monitor to a 1080P monitor then go for gtx650ti boost 2gb version,it is the best 1080P card in the market within 180$ and if u want to save some bucks for now as u have a 720P monitor then u can also go for a hd7750 but i would recommend u to get a hd7770 or gtx650ti(non-boost version) or the hd7790 1gb version and u would be more future-proofed.
why are u going for the x4 965 processor?u can get the fx-4300,it is also cheaper

sourodip

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well if u go with the 7770 you will be more than fine for that resolution(720P) and if u plan to upgrade ur monitor to a 1080P monitor then go for gtx650ti boost 2gb version,it is the best 1080P card in the market within 180$ and if u want to save some bucks for now as u have a 720P monitor then u can also go for a hd7750 but i would recommend u to get a hd7770 or gtx650ti(non-boost version) or the hd7790 1gb version and u would be more future-proofed.
why are u going for the x4 965 processor?u can get the fx-4300,it is also cheaper
 
Solution

l89

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Mar 18, 2013
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sourodip

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yes bro as i said earlier, these are the best choices and what's ur budget?
and asi said earlier if u are looking for something that would give u the best performance within a cheap budget,go and get the hd7790 1gb version it is 40-50% faster than the gtx 650ti
 

Michael Perkins

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For the total build, I am absolutely trying to stay under 700, between 600 and 650 if at all possible.

And the only place I see the FX cheaper right now is for in store pickup at Microcenter, and while I could drive to one, the cost of gas would offset the cheapness of it.
 

l89

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Mar 18, 2013
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40-50% faster what r u talking about it is at max about 5% better
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7790-bonaire-performance,3462-7.html
gtx 650 ti is a good card and it trades blow with hd 7790 depending on the game
 
If, as you say, you're likely to get a higher resolution monitor getting a 'weak' card now will only cause issues later on, possibly forcing you to upgrade so I suggest you aim for a less expensive case and put the money into a faster card, the GTX650Ti Boost being my suggestion.
 

Michael Perkins

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Jun 2, 2013
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There are two things with that.

#1 - If I do upgrade my monitor, I am very likely going to get a new GPU to go along with it. I am almost certain that with my plan to bump some stuff up during the holidays, I'll be able to upgrade through some very good sales.

#2 - I have looked and looked, but I haven't found a case that suits me. This might sound completely stupid, but I made the mistake when I built my first PC about three years ago by picking the cheapest case I could find that fit my needs, and I have regretted that choice almost since I built the thing. I know what's inside is much more important than what is outside, but if I am going to be looking at something for a while, I want it to be something I enjoy looking at.
 
See your point, sometimes the money is n't everything, it IS a fantastic case after all and I'm not going to suggest you do something you are not happy with, so enjoy it.
At current resolution the HD7770/GTX650Ti are, as has been said, fine, I do n't think you'll have any issues with either.
Just to look to the future, perhaps you might want PhysX? If so getting the 650 would make sense, it'll be there to be used as a dedicated card when you upgrade later in the year, just a thought.
 

Michael Perkins

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Jun 2, 2013
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Yeah, I just saw one I might go with instead that is slightly cheaper after the rebate. The NZXT Phantom has a 20 dollar rebate right now, and it is one sick looking case, not to mention all the cooling options. The one I have picked out now has a lot of options too, but if I get an aftermarket cooler (which I probably will because I live in a very warm area), I can't use anything larger than 155mm if I put a 200mm fan on the top of the case. Alas, that is a story for another time. Thanks for everyone's help.