Best graphics card on the market right now?

llamasg · Jan 4, 2014

I currently have an AMD 7750 and am looking to upgrade to a high end graphics card to be able to run high quality games like battlefield on high settings and also be able to comfortably support 2 monitors.

I was looking into the R9 290x as it seemed new, fast and what I was looking for but there had been reports of cooling issues which made me slightly hesitant. And I was wondering if it was a bit over rated.
Most card's fit in my case (Mars ATX Gaming case) and run with my power supply (450W Corsair PSU (low noise)).

So I was wondering what is the best graphics card money can buy right now? I was looking to spend not much more than £500 but it didn't seem like there were many cards much more than that anyway.

Thanks in advance!

-- llama

Jacob McIntosh · Jan 4, 2014

The best gaming card that money can buy is the GeForce GTX780 Ti by Nvidia.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487001

Jacob McIntosh · Jan 4, 2014

780 Ti vs GTX Titan
780 Ti vs GTX 690
780 Ti vs Radeon HD 7990

Davis R · Jan 4, 2014

780 Ti is the fastest

Daniel Sudakov · Jan 4, 2014

A gtx 780 ti is overkill if you're only running 1 monitor at 1080p. Really, it's a good card, but it's wasteful. I say the gtx 770, or the r9 280x is your best choice.

hmmmm, i would say, maybe get a 500-600 watt PSU, just to be safe.

photonboy · Jan 4, 2014

Points:

1) No mention of your CPU. Unless it's good (i.e. i5-3570K, i5-4670K or similar.) you'll be bottlenecking the graphics card.

2) Power Supply:
As mentioned you need a better PSU. More specifically, it needs the proper 6/8-pin power connectors. A GTX770 for example, needs 1x6-pin and 1x8-pin.

3) BUDGET:
A GTX770 is a great card. You'll need to factor in a better PSU.

4) NVidia vs AMD:
NVidia: Shadowplay (hardware recording), PhysX, Gamestream

AMD: Mantle (info online if interested. More in Q1 2014 when BF4 update comes out)

Other:
- 8GB of DDR3 memory recommended for motherboard (2x4GB)
- 64-bit Windows 7 or 8 (32-bit Windows won't support enough System and Video memory)

teachmehowtotank · Jan 4, 2014

780 ti is the fastest "gaming" graphics card on the market atm. First, you will need to upgrade your psu, and make sure you have a decent enough cpu.

photonboy · Jan 4, 2014

Examples:
R9-280X
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr928xoc3gd

GTX770
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n770tf2gd5oc

R9-290/290X
Awaiting good cards with after-market coolers.

GTX780 (specifically the EVGA 967MHz model)
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-03gp42784kr

POWER SUPPLY examples (do more research if desired):

620W: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

750W: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-ax760

Summary:
Again, your current CPU is critical in the decision of graphics card. If it's not great like an FX-4300/FX-6300 or similar AMD/Intel CPU then don't spend too much upgrading.

Otherwise there are several choices. The MSI N770 TF and Antec 620W or similar is a good choice or parts.

Don't forget the other requirements like 64-bit Windows 7/8, and 8GB DDR3 is also recommended.

llamasg · Jan 4, 2014

photonboy :

Ok sorry, let me clarify :L

Full specs:
Case: Mars ATX gaming case
CPU: AMD FX-6350 Six-core 3.90Ghz
GPU: AMD sapphire HD 7750 (300W so it's not connected to with a cable)
PSU: Corsair 450W low noise
RAM: 4GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit)

Side note:
Ordered from Computer planet ( http://www.computerplanet.co.uk )

List of all graphics card that will fit in my case and function with my PSU: http://imgur.com/QuOqkcu

My initial thoughts was to buy a AMD card as apparently they work better with my AMD CPU.

Buying an AMD card will also mean I don't have to upgrade my PSU.

photonboy · Jan 4, 2014

"Buying an AMD card will also mean I don't have to upgrade my PSU."

WRONG.
Your 450W PSU limits how GOOD a card you can get. If it has a 6-pin PCIe connector then it would support and HD7770 or similar, but nothing much better. I haven't even verified an HD7770 GHz would work.

Your entire post is about the "best graphics card on the market right now" which makes no sense if you want to keep your existing 450W power supply.

*Also, an AMD card won't work "better" with your CPU because they are both AMD. The EXCEPTION to this is the new MANTLE API which favors the newer HD7000/R9 cards. However, games must be written with Mantle for this to matter. There are some in development, and BF4 is getting an update to replace DirectX with Mantle beginning of 2014.

Otherwise, you may wish to look at BENCHMARKS instead as an indicator of performance.

Summary:
You have to make a decision on how much to BUDGET. If you just want to spend $100 to $150 then get an HD7770 GHz or similar and make sure that works with your power supply (6-pin, 8-pin PCIe connectors).

If you want BETTER than this (AMD or NVidia) you need a better power supply as well.

photonboy · Jan 4, 2014

Update:
If your REAL question is "what's the best graphics card that supports a 450W with a single 6-pin PCIe connector?" then I believe the answer is THIS card:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx650ti1gd5

Any better and your PSU won't support it. Any worse and there's no point in upgrading from your HD7750. The NVidia cards are slightly more power efficient as well so I don't think there's an AMD card that is better that your PSU would support.

Benchmarks:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_650_Ti_Direct_Cu_II/28.html

So this card will perform about 50% better on average with a high-end CPU (100/67 in 1920x1080 benchmark). It will be lower on average with your current CPU especially with games like Skyrim that are more CPU-dependent. Some games though will get almost 50% improvement (like Dirt 3).

It's not a massive improvement, but again you need a better budget for that.

*In contrast, a good GTX770 would give a 350% boost in performance on average (again, adjust for your CPU). If we just say 3x boost for some games then it would be 60FPS vs 20FPS for example, or simply much better quality.

*I love the benchmarks at Techpowerup which provide a SUMMARY averaged over many games.

llamasg · Jan 4, 2014

photonboy :

Ok, thanks for the responses, Sorry if there was any confusion or errors on my part, I'm fairly new to this so apologies I misunderstood

You said that "I don't think there's an AMD card that is better that your PSU would support." But surely the R9 290x is better than my HD7750?

Secondly, I get about 20FPS on ultra on bf3 in a 1920x1080 resolution and you're saying that a GTX 650 Ti would only slightly improve that? I thought they were a lot better than that :/
I guess I'm just getting a little bit confused when one minute you said "A GTX770 is a great card. You'll need to factor in a better PSU." then you sent me a link to a GTX 770 that i could buy without upgrading, then you said that the best card I could get is a GTX 650 Ti. D: ?

So to clear ALL this up how about:
1. The best card I can get in my PC at the moment, e.g. with my PSU case ( current specs etc)
2. Best card I can get for £375 In my case with the new PSU ( Assuming I buy the 750W PSU for £175 (£175 - £500 = £375 left for card)

Sorry for all the confusion >.<
Thanks for clearing this up

photonboy · Jan 5, 2014

llamasg,

1) Your 450W power supply probably has a single 6-pin PCIe connector for video cards. The R9-290X probably requires a 6-pin, and an 8-pin as well to work. So your power supply can't handle that card.

2) 650Ti performance - I provided BENCHMARKS for you to look at. You don't need to take my word for it.

3) GTX770 - You WOULD need a better Power Supply. In fact, I thought I was pretty clear about this as I said:

"A GTX770 for example, needs 1x6-pin and 1x8-pin" and,

"A GTX770 is a great card. You'll need to factor in a better PSU", and

"The MSI N770 TF and Antec 620W or similar is a good choice or parts."

4) Graphics Card + Power Supply for 500 pnds. Okay, now that I have an actual BUDGET I can give better advice.

Your MATH is off by the way as 175 + 375 = 550.

llamasg · Jan 5, 2014

photonboy :

Ok thanks for all your advice photonboy, I guess the main reason I was confused is that the site where I ordered my Computer from and where it was assembled is saying I can have an R9 290X and a GTX 770 without changing anything: http://i.imgur.com/Z52nSEe.png
it has even greyed out the ones that won't work because of the power supply.
I just don't want to upgrade my power supply to get a GTX 770 when it would be unnecessary :3

Thanks for all your help nonetheless.

P.S. sorry for the math it was 3 A.M >.<

RaiCoss · Jan 5, 2014

780 Ti. Best value for money at the high end? Probably a non X R9 290.

redeemer · Jan 5, 2014

llamasg :

I would say that the 290x after market is the best GPU right now. Nvidia's pathetic voltage lock @ 1.21v ruins everything damn (Green Light ) program. Its amazing that the 290x has unlocked voltage day one!

2GB buffer less than a year ago was decent, now were almost at a stage where even 3GB will not be enough by years end. The 780TI is an excellent card, however just like the GTX 680 vs 7970, the 290x will become faster eventually and that's not taking into to account of what Mantle will bring to the table. 4GB buffer, higher ROP and wider memory bus cannot be overlooked

GK110 is mature and has reached the end of it life with the core now being fully unlocked (780TI) Hawaii on the other hand is new and has a lot more going for it.

Really you cannot go wrong with either 290x or 780 TI, but longevity has proven to be on the side of AMD.

http://www.legitreviews.com/asus-r9-290x-directcu-ii-sapphire-r9-290x-tri-x-video-card-reviews_132158

amazing review

redeemer · Jan 5, 2014

llamasg :

By the way you 450w PSU would never handle a either 290x 780TI, its best you pick up a GTX 770

photonboy · Jan 6, 2014

redeemer :

A GTX770 isn't compatible with a 450W PSU, at least none I'm aware of. I believe 1x6-pin and 1x8-pin is required and that means the GTX770 must be capable of outputting 300Watts to the card itself, plus the CPU and other components.

photonboy · Jan 6, 2014

My parts recommendation:
Based on the 500 pounds you mentioned, I recommend THIS for 525 pounds:

1) GTX780 (EVGA 967MHz model): http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-03gp42784kr

2) Power Supply: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-ax760

There are CHEAPER power supplies. I picked a fairly high quality one since I didn't think you'd want to skimp on an inferior model and save 40 pounds considering how much you already spent.

As for the AMD cards, I've been doing extensive comparisons and just don't recommend them yet. The 290's and 290X's I've seen are mostly REFERENCE COOLERS that run very noisy with the new fan fix to prevent performance drops. At 400 pounds I didn't see ANYTHING in a 290X with a good, custom cooler (your price limit). I think there was a custom cooled 290 but the GTX780 beats it IN MY OPINION.

*If you find BENCHMARKS make sure they compare CUSTOM COOLER versions of the cards, not an overclocked vs stock.

The AMD cards also run hotter, thus NOISIER with comparable coolers. That's not opinion but fact.

Unless MANTLE is a deal-breaker on the AMD side (for upcoming games, though it's future is uncertain), there are other reasons to get an NVidia card including:
- Shadowplay (hardware recording of gameplay with minimal frame rate hit)
- PhysX
- G-Sync (very smooth gameplay with upcoming G-Sync monitors)

Obviously opinions vary on this.

Sorry for the delay.

Good luck.

nforce4max · Jan 6, 2014

You got a crummy crap dozer cpu and I have the impression that you don't want to upgrade the psu so maybe look for the best Nvidia card that only uses one pci-e 6 connector. 450w is enough for your hog and a gtx660 class card or a 7850 (only listed those two as a reference).

Best graphics card on the market right now?

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