GPU upgrade dilemma

mching · Dec 4, 2013

I have an old rig and I'm looking to upgrade my GPU for gaming. (not really hardcore, just casual to moderate gaming. and I only plan to play on 1080p single monitor setup).

My current rig:

i5 750 (mild OC to 3.2 ghz)
Sapphire Hd 6770
8 gb (4x2 1600Mhz CL9) G. Skill ripjawsX
700w PSU

Now I know my card sucks, I'm looking to buy myself a new one this xmas. I'm not in the US so pricing and selection is a bit different here. Right now these are the cards available locally and their respective prices:

UPDATED:

EVGA GTX 650 Ti 2gb - $ 168
Palit GTX 650 Ti 2gb - $144
Palit GTX 650 Ti Boost 2gb - $ 167
Inno3d GTX 650 ti Boost 2gb - $ 172

Sapphire HD 7850 2gb - $ 200
Sapphire HD 7850 OC ed 2gb - $ 207
HIS HD 7850 IceQ Turbo 2gb - $ 205
Powercolor HD 7850 2gb - $ 184

Sapphire R9-270X Dual-X OC 2gb Boost - $ 203
Power Color R9 270X Boost 2gb - $ 203
VTX3D Radeon R9 270X 2gb - $182
HIS Radeon R9 270X IceQ X2 Turbo Boost 2gb - $ 205

Can you guys recommend which card to get? My main priority being price/performance wise.
Since it's always easy to recommend most expensive card.

Thanks

rolandzhang3 · Dec 4, 2013

I'd go with the Palit GTX 650 Ti Boost options, at $167 and $170 they give great price/performance (just forget about the regular 650 Ti cards, they're not good enough to justify their price tags)

The next best thing would be the more expensive 270x at $203 which is the most powerful of the cards you listed

They should pair well with the i5 750 which is still fairly decent today, and is sufficient for gaming at high-very high settings at 1080p

patrick47018 · Dec 4, 2013

I like the 270X or the Palit 650 Ti, but don't pay more for the boost OC version, just OC it yourself

mching · Dec 4, 2013

I've added 2 more cards from the selection.

rolandzhang3 · Dec 4, 2013

Wow a 270x for $182, I'd definitely go for that 270x

You could justify spending $20 extra for the quality of Sapphire, but a 270x at $182 is not a bad price at all

mching · Dec 5, 2013

rolandzhang3 :

Yeah. I was also surprised to see a cheaper 270x, which almost doesn't happen here, which makes me

wonder if there are issues with this card that made it cheap.

You guys haven't heard of heating or noise issues for the 270x have you? or anything about VTX3D?

Because all my previous cards are Sapphire.

but for now, the score stands at:

VTX3D R9-270X - 1

Note: patrick recommended the 650ti, but I'll have to wait if he changes his recommendation on the updated choices.

rolandzhang3 · Dec 5, 2013

He probably means the 650 Ti Boost non OC, the 650 Ti is a bad recommendation unless you have a very small case

I'd probably go for the Sapphire card to be honest, that extra $20 over the next few years doesn't really sound too much

This is the general performance difference between a 270x (7870) and the 650 Ti Boost, see if it's worth the extra cash

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/857?vs=782

mching · Dec 5, 2013

Ok, I've updated the choices again. This is the last update I swear. If you guys can recommend your first and second options for best card for the money, I will be very grateful

Also, If you prefer a specific manufacturer over another please tell us why

Cause I really have no idea what's the difference since I've only been buying sapphire.
(Since the local shop previously only sell sapphire versions. Luckily I have more options now)

rolandzhang3 · Dec 5, 2013

First choice would probably still be the Palit GTX 650 Ti Boost non OC at $167, the best choice in value would be the VTX3D 270x, I cannot find any reviews of that card however

The next best choice with a bigger budget would personally be the Sapphire 270x, considering that they sell some of the best quality AMD cards

EDIT: just saw the "HIS Radeon R9 280X IceQ X2 Turbo Boost 2gb - $ 205", my goodness go for that one ASAP if it's a 280x (unless typo)

The 280x is a 7970 GHz edition and is about as powerful as a GTX 770 (which is in turn as powerful as the GTX 650 Ti Boost in SLI)

BlazingHaze74 · Dec 5, 2013

I would go with the R9280X.

coozie7 · Dec 5, 2013

Probably the best for to your requirements would be a GTX650Ti Boost, it's capable enough at 1080 res for casual/light play at med/high settings.
Only other card to consider is that R9 280x, it's in a whole different league to the others and will get you to very high/ultra settings in just about every game out there.
BTW: check my avatar: SNAP!

mching · Dec 5, 2013

rolandzhang3 :

My bad, that was a typo. It's 270X.

BlazingHaze74 :

Typo... its a 270X.

coozie7 :

Hey we have almost identical builds! (ofcourse my graphics card don't compare to yours.) I didn't realize people still had lynnfields as their main rig (almost everybody I know already upgraded to 3570k)

Hm.. So it's 2 for the GTX 650 Ti Boost. I really hope this card will be able to handle the game titles in the next few years. Anyone else?

rolandzhang3 · Dec 6, 2013

The 650 Ti Boost will not be handing titles for the next few years at high settings to be honest, I'd keep my eye on the 270x

I should have gotten an i5 750 back in a day rather than the E8500 haha

mching · Dec 6, 2013

rolandzhang3 :

Thanks for your input!

Right now we're at:

Palit GTX 650 Ti Boost 2gb - 1
Sapphire R9-270X Dual-X OC 2gb Boost
/ VTX3D Radeon R9 270X 2gb - $182 - 1

Maybe one last opinion from tom's would close this deal.

Also, I haven't heard much about VTX3D so I'm not too sure about their (relatively) cheaper 270X.

BlazingHaze74 · Dec 6, 2013

I would go with the Sapphire R9-270X. Its a card that will last you a few years.

coozie7 · Dec 6, 2013

Best PC build I've ever done, with the 7950 it'll play everything in my library at or around Ultra settings smoothly enough for an old man.

Of he three you list, I'd go for the Sapphire, they're AMDs main partner and offer decent if not stellar service.
VTX3D seem to cut costs by cutting the bundle (fewer bits and pieces in the box) rather than quality, feedback here in the UK seems generally good so if you want you can save a little cash with confidence.
Not sure on price but the GTX650Ti Boost is the weakest performer and if it's as expensive, or more expensive than the R9 270X the choice is clear.

mching · Dec 7, 2013

Well, many thanks to all the replies! Looks like im getting myself the Sapphire 270X for X'mas as advised by roland.

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