Best nVidia Shield Compatible Card for ~ $200

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

Hey All -

I do a good bit of gaming and am considering purchasing an nVidia Shield today - especially after reading about their newest update. The only problem, is that my current (fairly new) video card isn't compatible. I currently use a single XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB which I received for Christmas and has done pretty well for me, but it isn't compatible and doesn't seem that AMD will have a similar solution for a while.

I'm looking to spend around $200 - preferably below it - but - I found that there are literally almost 100 compatible cards in this range (even though many are similar by different manufacturers.) I went to PCPartsPicker and selected all compatible ones (750 series and above) as well as the card I currently own for comparison.

Obviously, small things can make a big difference, so just wanted to post and ask - what's the best compatible sub-$200 card for the money?? I'll be buying from NewEgg so if anyone knows of any coupon codes or other deals, I'm all in.

System Specs

Intel i7 3770k (3700Mhz)
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H
16gb RAM Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3 (4x4gb)
Drives / Disks / Partitions:
- C:\ - 55gb SSD - OS Only
- D:\ - 16tb Pooled Drive for Storage & Media (Drive Bender)
- E:\ - 500gb Hybrid Drive - App & Game Installations
- F:\ - 1tb non-pools drive for app caches & misc non-pooled items
Windows 7 x64 (Fully Patched)

Thanks guys!

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

are you looking to use the streaming capability?

jessterman21 · Apr 30, 2014

GTX 660 2GB. But as an owner of that card, you should really spend the extra for a GTX 760.

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

Darth Rache :

As in streaming PC Games from the PC the card's installed into to the nVidia Shield? Yes! That's 100% the purpose for doing this. I'll still be playing the games locally on the PC, but probably use the Shield much more.

Thanks for the quick reply

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

He doesn't want to spend more that 200$...760=>200$....

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

a 2Gb GTX 660 is the minimum that you can go, but like jessterman21 said the 660 is a little outdated, and if you can i would go for the 760.

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

But if not here is a link for a 660TI- http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-SUPERCLOCKED-Graphics-02G-P4-2662-KR/dp/B00966IREK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1398872784&sr=1-2&keywords=GTX+660+TI

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

Thanks guys - You'd suggest a 660 over a 750? To be honest I'd rather spend a little more if it will be something that will last a while. If spending $50 more will get me a few extra months before the next upgrade, I'll do it.

So... I narrowed my search to just the 760 series (link below). Prices are between $236.99 - $324.99 - a pretty wide margin for the same chipset! I'm already above what I wanted to spend, but don't want to buy crap. What do you suggest?

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/video-card/#m=8,14,18,27,252,31,49,39&c=142,159&sort=d8

Thanks again!

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

750 isn't compatible 660, 760 and above.

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

BTW - Just looked through NewEgg's Daily Email Deals and found this:

- EVGA 02G-P4-3765-KR GeForce GTX 760 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Dual Superclocked w/ EVGA ACX Cooler Video Card
- Free Copy Watch Dogs (Upon release I assume

)
- Free shipping
- $10 mail in rebate
- $249.99 ($239.9 after mail in rebate)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130953&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL042914&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL042914-_-EMC-042914-Latest-_-DesktopGraphicsVideoCards-_-14130953-L04D

What do you think? Thanks!

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

I had the MSI 760 card and it was really nice.

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

Darth Rache :

Yeah - that would have been a bad day upon receiving. Thanks

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

The card I mentioned in my last post (NewEgg deal) is also listed a bit above the middle in the PCPartsPicker link showing only 760s, too. Seems to be a good middle ground. Still... way over budget already.

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

are you going to keep the HD 7850? If so get the 660TI and swap the cards when you want to play something on the pc. That is what I would do if I was on as tight a budget as you are.

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

bzowk :

Yea, that would have made for a bad day.

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

Darth Rache :

Hey... that's actually not a bad idea... 2 questions about that, though...

1. When you say "swap cards", do I physically have to swap cards or is it a software change? Basically I'm asking if I can I have both the 7840 and 660ti installed at the same time?

2. Would there be a noticible difference on the Shield, itself when using a 660ti over a 760? I know that a better card allows you to bump game specs to higher resolutions, detail, etc - but - would assume that the Shield's display wouldn't be able to hit some of the resolutions that the higher end cards are required for. Does that make sense?

Thanks again!

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

1: Well i just research it a little and the GTX 660 Ti is actually a better card that the HD7850>http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-HD-7850-vs-GeForce-GTX-660-Ti So I say get the 660 TI and then sell the HD7850 and get another 660 TI for an SLI configuration

2: No not really they are basically the same card. see> http://gpuboss.com/gpus/GeForce-GTX-760-vs-GeForce-GTX-660-Ti

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

I really need to purchase through NewEgg for a couple of reason - but - if I go the 660 route, the average price is from $160 - $240. However, there's only 1 "660 TI" NewEgg has listed and it's a refurb. Given that, which would you suggest?

- Here's all the 660 series cards in order of most reviews first: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600315498&IsNodeId=1&srchInDesc=660&page=1&bop=And&Order=REVIEWS&PageSize=20

- This one has a $20 mail in rebate therefore making it $169.99 (after rebate): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL042914&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL042914-_-EMC-042914-Latest-_-DesktopGraphicsVideoCards-_-14130826-L05D

I'd like to save $20, but would rather that $20 go to a better card if there's a difference.

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

Darth Rache :

Ohh, ok - thanks for your time! Stupid question, but I haven't done SLI since my pair of 8800's a while back - but - best guess - what would you say the equvilent of a pair of 660s be compared to a single card currently?

I think I will go the 660 route as I forgot I can add another later which makes me feel better. I'm sure that for the ~$189 range there aren't too many differences in the specs, but did list a couple in my last post. Think those will no doubt work for Shield?

Thanks

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

Darth Rache :

Ohh, ok - thanks for your time! Stupid question, but I haven't done SLI since my pair of 8800's a while back - but - best guess - what would you say the equvilent of a pair of 660s be compared to a single card currently?

I think I will go the 660 route as I forgot I can add another later which makes me feel better. I'm sure that for the ~$189 range there aren't too many differences in the specs, but did list a couple in my last post. Think those will no doubt work for Shield?

Thanks

bzowk · Apr 30, 2014

Guys -

I just ordered an nVidia Shield, Micro USB -> Ethernet adapter, and a EVGA SuperClocked 02G-P4-2662-KR GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card.

Just wanted to say thank so much to all - espeically Darth Rache - for your help!

Darth Rache · Apr 30, 2014

bzowk :

No problem man that is what the forum is for, as for your other question two 660 Tis would have about the same performance as a GTX780 and the one that you listed should be fine. Do you live near a best buy? If so they will honor the amazon online price on the EVGA card

Best nVidia Shield Compatible Card for ~ $200

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