Advice on a new card

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1944999/760-detected-anymore.html - why I need a new one (unrelated).

This isn't the first time I've had a video card die on me in the last year. I've spent $800 on cards and I'm tired of them dying for various reasons [2 cards]. I want to find a reliable, mid-high end card that will last me for at least 2 years.

I play mostly video games like League of Legends, FFXIV, WoW, and steam games.

I want to be able to run it at a higher graphics level with relatively high FPS (60+)

Under $400, and one that preferably has a warranty.

The best one I've found so far is a gtx 770 from PNY (nVidia card) @ Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CZ7Q028

The reviews state that registering it at PNY will give you a limited lifetime warranty. [yay!]

Any better ideas out there before I order my third video card in a year? :/

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week-next week, $400 or less

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming and general usage: League of Legends, FFXIV: ARR, HoN, Steam Games (Archeblade), WoW, FPS Games

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: nVidia 760 (Dead, reason for replacement in thread link at top) - Corsair 750W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: i5 3570k quadc not overclocked, http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LK for the motherboard, 8g 1333mhz RAM, 3 hard drives (1 ssd, 1 black, 1 red) - potentially need a new case. These cards are roughly 11" long and while my case has -just- enough room for that on ONE of my PCi-E slots, a new case might be in need. That's also something you can suggest!

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon.com preference, newegg also okay. [Have amazon prime.] - US

PARTS PREFERENCES: I prefer nvidia cards since they are what I am used to, but I will do what is best for my parts.

OVERCLOCKING: No, and no to SLI

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920*1080, dual monitor setup.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Prefer warranty. Life-time is definitely a deciding factor. I've had too many cards die on me.

refillable · Dec 25, 2013

I can say it's a good card for the price and can only be challenged by the 280X prior to their price jump. Just don't forget to register at PNY and Good luck.

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

I'm unfamiliar with the 280x. Please tell me more

I assume it's an AMD card, it's comparable for the price but with better, or equivalent, specs?

exroofer · Dec 25, 2013

Something to consider. Why are your cards dying? They should last for years, not months.
Perhaps you need to

a) add a couple more case fans
b) buy a card with an improved cooling solution, rather than a reference design
c) buy a case with much better airflow
d) eat the extra cost and buy the extended warranty.

I got a Coolermaster 912 HAF for $55 dollars last year. Tons of room, great airflow, added a couple extra 120mm case fans, and heat is never an issue, ever.

*R280x's seem to be great cards, but the Litecoin miners bought them all, and the price is a too much right now.
If you do look at an R280x, get one with a non-reference cooling solution, Gygabyte Windforce or similar.

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

Oh, sorry, when I said EVGA I actually meant the gigabyte one, I confuse the brands. It had the 3 fans on it. On top of that, I have MSI Afterburner and monitor my tempts - they shouldn't be burning out, but like I said, I might need a new case!
Could you provide a link or two to suggested cases? I see you mentioned the coolermaster 912 HAF, but I am not very educated when it comes to cases or how to install the fans, ETC.

refillable · Dec 25, 2013

The 280X is a rebranded 7970 GHz, a former flagship card from last generation. At launch, they are essentially a 7970 GHz, clocked a bit less, minuscule slower and a price dropped to $300. In the holiday season (nowadays) they are often out of stock as everyone was looking for it and they are increased to the $400 price point to justify the demands, not sure who bumped it. But the prices makes the 770 a good card before the 280X goes back to the $300 price point.

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

Second question:
I like to use two monitors. I generally run a 1920x1080 as my main monitor and a smaller monitor for my second one.
Do I need to get the 4 gb card, or is the 2gb sufficient?

To clarify: I will run a game as 'windowless bordered' and use my second monitor for other stuff, and I tend to stream as well. It is $40 more for the 4gb over 2gb so I would rather get the 4gb if I'll need it.

exroofer · Dec 25, 2013

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119272

I don't have the pretty blue lights, and it was on sale, that one is $60 Cdn right now on Newegg. US price may be slightly lower.
I have almost all my case fans plugged in to the motherboard so I can control their speeds, they are the 4 pin type that lets you set fan profiles.
There are quite a few good cases in the $50-$100 range, so you will need to do a little research to see what suits your needs.

And I have a 7870 OC Windforce card, runs very cool, and am surprised yours burnt out. Very surprised.

Mine runs in the low 40's C range gaming, and only a gpu benchmark that forces it to 100% for long periods of time can get it in to the low 50's C.

What kind of temps were normal for you?

Also, and this may seem like an odd question, but do you live where the power is shall we say "variable"?
A friend of mine lives in South Africa, and everyone there runs there power through an uninterruptable power supply , not because the power goes out a lot, but because their power is "dirty" so to speak, as in it has a lot of ups and downs in frequency and such and tends to burn pc's out.
So their answer is to "clean up" the incoming electricity in this fashion.

Not suggesting this is your issue, but for some folks, it is an issue.

*edit. I do the same thing with two monitors, and a 2GB card for 1920x1080 seems to work just fine, multibox like 4 Eve clients all at max settings, run a couple Eve clients on second monitor while playing another game on the main monitor etc, and have no issues.

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

I live in Florida in the US.
Also, my motherboard has that 'power surge protection' feature so when there's a surge it tries to sacrifice my power supply. I do not run through uninterruptable power, and that is something I might look into, but I do not believe I have that issue..

Do I need a windforce card with such a case?

I have a gaming case, I honestly forget the title, but it was like $70 with pretty blue lights.

My normal temps.. sometimes as high as 60 C, normally around 50C.
However, the temperature where I live is normally around 30 with high humidity, so that doesn't help.

Well, I definitely need a case that can comfortably hold a card that's 11", the one I have now I can't use one of my mounts for the internal HDDs or the card doesn't fit.

exroofer · Dec 25, 2013

Well, those temps are not excessive by any means, especially living in Florida.

You don't "need" a windforce style card with a 912 HAF case, they just work well with that type of card. since the card dumps it's heat inside the case.

Seems like most of the likely reasons for early card failure aren't why you are having such bad luck.
I live close to Niagara Falls Ontario, and get some pretty hot and humid days in the summer, perhaps the year round humidity coupled with salt in the air is shortening the life of your cards?

Things that make ya go "hmmmmm"

Best bet is see what retailer in your area will give you a two or three year extended warranty for some reasonable amount of money. Preferably one with a "walk in and get handed a new card, no questions asked" deal. Don't know if that is possible or not.

But it seems really weird your cards are crapping out like that , you have a good psu, your temps are not crazy, etc.

Is there any way for you to get the bricked card tested to see exactly what made it die? Maybe a well written email to the manufacturer will at least get them to pay for the shipping and tell you what happened, even if they don't replace the card.

Because 6 months out of a card is just ridiculous. Good luck man.

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

No, they don't do that no questions asked thing.
I tried that, they had no interest in the card because I don't have the proof of purchase (I built the computer in Washington before I moved back down here.)

I know :/.

The best thing I could think of was the card I linked.
With a lifetime warranty, I can mail it back as many times as it can die so long as I don't break the card myself.
That's why I was wondering if it's a good solution. As far as the case is concerned, I will definitely be looking into the cooler master cases. The HAF series isn't available in my country according to newegg.
Is the 300R series viable?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139011

exroofer · Dec 25, 2013

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Link for the HAf on the US Newegg site. The reason it is cheaper that the higher end HAF series is it isn't painted black on the inside.
I didn't care

300R looks to be pretty similar.

And ya, the PNY lifetime thing looks like a viable option, maybe do a little customer feedback forum surfing with Google and see how generous they are with replacing stuff.

If you have any luck getting hard data on why the card(s) died, make a new thread. People will want to know if you find something new or unusual.

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

Excellent.
I did a little searching and I'm seeing very mixed results - half of the people I see cry that PNY is horrible and doesn't do replacements, and the other half claims that they were extremely willing to work with their customers.

I definitely will if I manage to find something.
Did you happen to know the answer to my question about whether I need the 4gb OC Card or not? I'll post links for the two, I just don't want to go with the 2 and find that my card bottlenecks when I run multi monitors.

http://www.amazon.com/PNY-Enthusiast-GDDR5-Graphics-VCGGTX7704XPB-OC
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CZ7Q028

Also, last question, I don't see the case measurements on Newegg. How large does the case need to be to hold an 11" video card?
Also, part two to my last question, how do I know if the case is compatible with my motherboard? I do not want to pick a case my motherboard doesn't fit into properly. I'm scared of my motherboard enough as it is.

exroofer · Dec 25, 2013

1) 2GB is enough for me to do exactly what you asked about. Get a 3GB or w/e card if the price difference isn't too crazy, but imo you don't "need" it.
Just be nice to have.

2) Pretty much all mid-tower cases will fit an 11 or 12" card.

3) The mounting points for motherboards are standardized, a little staring at the motherboard install book, the case manual, and a little common
sense in installing the motherboard stand-offs make that part easier than it looks at first glance.

3a) Your mobo looks like a standard ATX sized board, will fit in any midtower case. Extended ATX mobos need full towers I'm pretty sure.

4) Case dimensions are on the overview tab on Newegg.

If you do swap cases, you will need the template that came with the mobo and is now mounted in your current case, to install in the new case.
The aluminum/metal plate with all the different holes in it that match your mobo. It should just pop out...

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the mobo in my case more than once. I know where the screws are - I just wasn't sure if they were compatible.

Thanks for that.

Now I just have to decide if the $30 warranty is a good investment over trusting the lifetime warranty.

Okay, the problem I had was only one of my PCI-e could fit the card because of where the hard drives went, that's what I was asking - is this case large enough to fit one in each slot kind of thing.

thecrespow · Dec 25, 2013

For the GPU I reccomend you a GTX 770 with 4 Gb of VRAM because you want quite a lot fps and you are playing in multi-monitor (thats why the 4 gigs are necessary. If you played only in one monitor 2 gigs is enough as there is no difference btween both then). If I were you I would wait some more and buy a GTX 780 but whatever.
These are the GPUs I reccomend:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CU9GOAO/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1387961627&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E5AEIKE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1387961627&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00F6EAN7U/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1387961627&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DT5UE7M/ref=mp_s_a_1_24?qid=1387962051&sr=8-24&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
If you were interested in a GTX 780 this is the best for the price (at least in my country):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CUIVTCS/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1387962224&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

And you are looking for a case too.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BCXF6JE/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?qid=1387963058&sr=8-11&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003S68Q0Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1387963058&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00F0EB0FU/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1387963156&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Those are great cases but install some case fans too. I HIGHLY reccomend these configurations:
For the Stryker, get this 200 mm fan:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008G3OLRQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1387963731&sr=8-3&pi=SL500_QL40
If you like leds this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002JFU5IQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1387963731&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Put it on the top of the case and put two of this at the bottom to help cooling the GPU:
http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16835553001
For the HAF X put two of that 200 mm fan on the top and one of that 120 mm in the VGA fan duct
For the Phantom 530 put two of that 200 mm fan on the top and this 140 mm fan on the side.
http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16835103078
I also reccomend to take one of the HDD cages out if you want more airflow and to help the GPU cooling more as they are usually at that high.
I hope I have helped you

Btw Im jeallous of the variety of things you have in the USA haha

exroofer · Dec 25, 2013

Considering that the reason your last two cards died is unknown, I'm going to say $30 for extra warranty is a good investment.
Cheaper than a new card!

Removeable hard drive bays are a wonderful thing for getting extra cards to fit.

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

@Crespow, while waiting for a 780 would be nice (I assume you mean waiting for the 800 series to come out?) I have no idea when that's going to happen, and I don't wish to remain without a computer for months on end while I wait.

And $500 is a lot more than $330.

As far as the cases and fans you recommended, that sounds like a really good idea.
How would I go about setting that case up, though?

And the two links you gave me for newegg aren't working.
Do the fans just screw in?

@exroofer, I don't know how to remove the harddrive bay, haha.

thecrespow · Dec 25, 2013

Malkeur :

What I meant was that you could buy a 780 but waiting untill you had some more money but there is a big difference as you say... So go for one of the 4 gigs 770 I said. The links didn't worked because they are from the mobile web. This are the desktop links:
120 mm fan http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553001
140 mm fan http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103078
The fans just screw in, yes, but you also have to connect the three pin connector they have to your motherboard (it has three 4 pin connectors, but 4 pin connectors can go with three pin connectors fans).
The HDD bays are easy to extract. Nowadays they are tool-less and you just pick it and take it out.
Any other doubt?

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

Yes. That case is expensive! xD.
However the features it offers are pretty awesome.

What do I do with the 200m Stryker fan? Where does it go?

So I should get 1 200mm fan, and a 120mm fan for the bottom?

Also if I remove the hard drive bay on the inside is there still a way to mount 2 HDDs? It says it has an external slot for the SSD, so I hope that works.

Is paying $500 for the 780 truly worth it?
I just checked gigabyte's website and it says my product is actually viable for an RMA...
I am going to see if I can do that, and if I can then I will wait to buy a new card until I can afford the 780.
But if it needs proof of purchase I will be stuck!

thecrespow · Dec 25, 2013

Malkeur :

The 200 mm stryker fan goes at the top of the case. You should get 1 200 mm and 2 120 mm (these ones, for the bottom to cool the GPU). Yes it has space for the two HDDs and as I do not reccomend to have the SSD always at the external bay, I think you can put the SSD in one of the HDD bays, but not sure of that. If you find out it is possible it's ok, but if not, get an 2.5" to 3.5" adapter.
I had been a lot of time looking for the right GPU and afeter a thousand million comparisons, benchmarks, videos... I can say that they are worth, also because next year if you need it you can SLI it with another 780 when their price falls a bit. Anyway what I looked for was 1080p ingle monitor, so I'm not sure about dual monitor :/

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

Why wouldn't you want to have it in the external bay all the time?
I have an adapter so I can mount it. The problem is I'm reading about the case and it says you can only put 2 fans in.
Also, that sounds like a great suggestion with the card(s). SLI'ing it later.

thecrespow · Dec 25, 2013

Malkeur :

If it's always here it's easier to damage it. I don't know if you get what I mean. It's only because it is safer inside the case.
About the case, that's true, I was mistaken cause I thought it didn't include the top 200 mm fan. It does so you only have to add the two bottom fans of 120 mm

Malkeur · Dec 25, 2013

Okay, so, add 2 120mm fans to the bottom of the case.
You can only SLI if it's the same card, right? (e.g., can't do a 760 and a 780).

Also, it has a cable management system - does that mean the power supply goes behind the mobo, or?
I've never worked with a full tower before.

thecrespow · Dec 25, 2013

Malkeur :

Yes, you can only sli two of the same card, but it has to be the same exactly card. The same manufacturer and model.
I dont get what you mean in the second paragraph very well. I can tell you that the PSU is at the bottom of the case and the mobo is over it. The cables from the case go to the PSU and the cables of the fans go to the mobo.

Advice on a new card

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