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Help choosing a GPU: SLI, CrossFire, or Single?

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  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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August 11, 2013 7:04:12 PM

Hey guys, I need some major help. I've taken the advice and started my own rig. I already bought an NZXT Phantom 410 and Corsair CX600M PSU. I'm going for the i5-4670K and the ASRock Z87 Extreme 4, with Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1600 RAM. I only need help with the video card, as I'm having a lot of trouble.

I'm looking to spend no more than $200, but I will push for no more than $230 if the card is good enough. The two issues is the card itself and then the card makers, but that would be after I choose the card.

Should I go nVidia or AMD? If I go AMD, only two cards are in consideration; the the 7850 and 7870. If I go nVidia, I have plenty in consideration; the 650, 650Ti, 650Ti Boost, 660, and 660Ti.

I'm looking for the best card out of them all overall, whether I do SLI, CrossFire, or a single card.

More about : choosing gpu sli crossfire single

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August 11, 2013 7:16:31 PM

I would probably go for the 7870 if you can't stretch for a 7950 ($200 plus change) or a GTX 760 (closer to $250). The GTX 660 Ti is a little cheaper than the 7950, but also a little slower and with more variable performance due to severely limited memory bandwidth.

IMO Crossfire or SLI isn't really worth it compared to a single card until you get to the high-end stuff.
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August 11, 2013 7:16:53 PM

I would go with AMD and a single card. With the recent price cuts from AMD you will get more GPU for your money.

As for Brand I recommend Sapphire, ASUS, XFX and sometimes HIS. I have had great experiences with these brands in the many builds I have done and have confidence in their quality.
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August 11, 2013 7:59:17 PM

AMD has greatly improved on CF issues with the new beta driver but not enough to let them sit at the same table w/ nVidia and SLI. Anything from the the 650 Ti Boost on up works well in SLI ... 2 of those faster than 7970 Ghz or 680

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_6...

At 600 watts, and especially with the CX series being a 'lightweight", I wouldn't do more than the 650 Ti Boost in SLI anyway. If ya stay w/ a single card, Id try and find someway to get a 760

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_6...

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August 11, 2013 10:33:01 PM

So I've narrowed it down to the HD7870 and 650Ti Boost. What I would do is purchase one 650Ti Boost now and work with it until I get money for SLI, which is why I asked. $250 is too much for me for a GPU because I have all the other parts to get. Heck, even $220-230 is pushing it. That's why I'd like to stick low with the 650Ti Boost and HD7870.

If I go with the 650Ti Boost, it's bewteen Gigabyte, EVGA, and MSI.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/412779/GV-N65TBOC-2G...
http://www.microcenter.com/product/412537/02G-P4-3658-K...
http://www.microcenter.com/product/412907/N650TI_TF_2GD...

I like MSI for their Afterburner utilities for OCing, EVGA for higher core speeds, and Gigabyte for the dual fan setup.

Going with the HD7870 gives me 5 options overall: Diamond, HIS, ASUS, PowerColor, and MSI.
www.microcenter.com/product/408387/AMD_Radeon_HD_7870_G...
http://www.microcenter.com/product/411454/H787QT2G2M_AM...
http://www.microcenter.com/product/405812/HD7870-DC2-2G...
http://www.microcenter.com/product/409682/R7870-2GD5T-O...

Again, I like MSI for the same reasons. Plus, this is dual fan. I could push $220. But, the ASUS seems to be a direct competitor for $10 less. And dual fan. The HIS model is $230, but it's core speed is 1100MHz, while the others range from 1000-1050MHz, but in the end I don't think it's worth it. The Diamond is the cheapest but I'm not sure about the company nor the card. I'd rather spend the extra and get ASUS or MSI.

Anybody else's thoughts/opinons?
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August 11, 2013 10:53:18 PM

I would go with the ASUS 7870, its more powerful than the 650ti boost(which is competition for the 7850). If you are planning to OC it then the $10 for the extra core speed is a waste. I have never used A Diamond GPU but I have replaced several in clients computers for various reasons. Of all the brands, my opinion is ASUS and Sapphire are the leaders in quality.
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August 12, 2013 12:49:12 AM

there another option..have u tried the 7870 xt card? its a 7950 stripped down version..btw with that card you get 3 games free too :) 
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August 12, 2013 8:05:55 AM

caj said:
there another option..have u tried the 7870 xt card? its a 7950 stripped down version..btw with that card you get 3 games free too :) 

The 7950 is cheaper than the 7870 XT at the moment, so that's a bit pointless.
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