Help with GPU purchase - (replacing XFX Radeon HD7870) - details inside

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Neloangelo123

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Hello there.

Lately my I have a serious problem - which I have found it is GPU problem.

Problem story for those interested:
While i was working or playing games on my desktop, suddenly the screen goes black, the GPU fans start to work at max, and i cant do anything.
Whatever i do just solves the problem momentarily, it happens again in random intervals.
I searched the internet and i found that the specific GPU (XFX Radeon HD7870) has the problem.
This link explains it http://technewspedia.com/amd-identifies-the-cause-of-the-bug-black-screen-on-some-radeon-hd-7870-2gb/

In 3 words: Ceramic capacitors defection (1% of the production batch, how lucky i am).


I currently dont actually care what i will do with that card after i replace it (i m out of waranty), because that model also tends to overheat in high graphics during games (another problem i found these models have).


My specs are:
cpu: AMD FX 8350 4.0Ghz ==> Corsair Hydro series H60 liquid cooler on it
gpu: XFX Radeon HD7870 2gb ==> WILL BE REPLACED
mb: ASUS M5 A97 R2.0
ram: 2x 4gb Corsair Vengeance @1866
rig: Thermaltake Overseer full tower with 3 big coolers (top-front-bottom)
psu: Corsair TX850M 850W
SSD 120gb samsung EVO series


I would like to have some suggestions about what GPU should i buy taking into consideration the following:
1) High end gaming (full graphics etc)
2) Price range 150-230euros
3) Avoid AMD if possible (i dont have good experience anymore with AMD gpus)
4) Be an upgrade from XFX 7870 (even a small one).

I appreciate any help and suggestions.

Thanks you in advance.
 
Solution
geofelt
Unless support where you are is particularly good for one or the other, there is little difference.
The guts are all still made by Nvidia.
Cards differ by the cooling system used, but that is mostly marketing.
The nvidia Maxwell cards are very efficient and do not need exotic cooling.
I actually prefer blower type coolers that send heat directly out the back of the case.

A second differentiator is the amount of factory overclock.
Vendors pick better chips and overclock them for better performance and charge a small price premium.
You can get a fair estimate of this difference by looking at the boost clock

Your current 7870 needs two 6 pin connectors, the GTX960 only needs one. That will be 75w less.
That is because the amd cards are...
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cub_fanatic

cub_fanatic

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If you can still find one, I'd look for a new R9 290. Here, in the US, they are going for $240-260 which is the high end of your budget. The only other cards in that budget are the R9 380 and GTX 960 4GB (high end of budget as well) or GTX 960 2GB. If you can't find a new 290 in that price range, I'd go with the 380. All of those cards, even the 960 2GB, will be good for high detail 1080p in most games. The 290, though, should max out just about everything in most games and give you decent frame rates. I also highly suggest a non-reference 290 model if you can find one since the reference ones tend to run hot which is something you are trying to avoid.

EDIT; I just saw you added "avoid AMD". The only Nvidia GPU in that range that will give you what you want is the 960. You'd get way more bang for your buck with a 290, though. The next step up is the 970 which is way above your budget and even then, it is not that far ahead of a non-reference, slightly OC'd 290.
 
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cub_fanatic

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That would be nice if it was Euros, but it is Pounds. That converts to around 330 EUR or 370 USD.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Yes, it would... My mistake.
If I am not mistaken, a GTX960 which sells in the US for $200 would be about 170 euros and within your budget.
The GTX960 comes with either 2gb vram or 4gb vram. Naturally, the latter is more expensive.
You can also buy factory overclocked versions. I think the smallish price premium paid for a factory overclock is generally worth it.

If you can supply a link to where you might shop, I will look.

 
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Neloangelo123

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Thank you guys for your input so far, I am expecting more suggestions so i can pick the most popular and ask some things about it afterwards.

I would like to add that I want the new GPU to be also a small upgrade from the one i got now.

I added it in the points in my op too.
 
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Neloangelo123

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I will most probably buy from this store http://www.e-shop.gr/kartes-grafikon-gpu
I hope u can translate the page successfully.

If you manage to check, please give me some options with some reasons if you are willing to do.

Thanks
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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A GTX950 will perform comparably to your 7870.
Here is one for 205 euros.
http://www.e-shop.gr/vga-msi-geforce-gtx950-2gd5-oc-2gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.514596
A GTX960 will perform better and be an upgrade, but the cheapest one I see is 235 euros:
http://www.e-shop.gr/vga-gigabyte-geforce-gtx960-gv-n960ixoc-2gd-2gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.516558

Your web site is Greek to me, so I have a hard time reading details.
But it probably does not matter much.
Price/performance is competitive across all midrange cards.
One thing you WILL get with either card is less power draw and the accompanying heat and noise.
 
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Neloangelo123

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I can go up to 235euros, you think gigabyte is the best manufacturer? Could i go with asus or msi or anything else?
Is there a difference? I also see that both cards have single fan, is this better or worse than dual fan?

Also about the power supply, you mean that the card i got now uses much more power? Why is that so?

And a last question, i read in the comments of GTX960 that it requires 6-pin, is that a problem? Because i am going to mount the card by myself and i need to know every detail so i dont do any mistake either pre-purchase or after.

Thanks
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Unless support where you are is particularly good for one or the other, there is little difference.
The guts are all still made by Nvidia.
Cards differ by the cooling system used, but that is mostly marketing.
The nvidia Maxwell cards are very efficient and do not need exotic cooling.
I actually prefer blower type coolers that send heat directly out the back of the case.

A second differentiator is the amount of factory overclock.
Vendors pick better chips and overclock them for better performance and charge a small price premium.
You can get a fair estimate of this difference by looking at the boost clock

Your current 7870 needs two 6 pin connectors, the GTX960 only needs one. That will be 75w less.
That is because the amd cards are older gen, lower tech, and get their speed from being overclocked.
The nvidia cards have a newer internal architecture that is more power efficient.
You are good there, it mounts exactly the same.
One caveat if you have not done this before:
When you remove the old card, look underneath the card, at the end of the pcieX16 slot, away from the rear panel. There should be a latch that needs to be released before you can pull the old card out.
Do not force anything.

Before you take the old card out, uninstall all the amd software and drivers.

When you install the new GTX960, it will run in a low res mode without needing any drivers.
You then install the nvidia drivers.
You can use the supplied cd, but the most recent drivers will be on the nvidia web site.
 
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Neloangelo123

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You are so informative and helpful, i thank you for that, very much appreciated.
 
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maxalge

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a gtx 960 is a bit faster than a 7870 unless you have the LE or XT 7870 versions, then they are equal.



a gtx 770, gtx 680, or gtx 780 would all be a step up if you can find them, two steps up for a 780 =)
 
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Neloangelo123

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Lets suppose I decide to check for AMD cards too.
Ok, i am going to link 5 gpu, can u please comment on each one and which is better and why?
1)http://www.e-shop.gr/vga-asus-strix-radeon-r7-370-strix-r7370-dc2oc-4gd5-gaming-4gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.513723
2)http://www.e-shop.gr/vga-gigabyte-geforce-gtx660-gv-n660oc-3gd-3gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.516498
3)http://www.e-shop.gr/vga-msi-radeon-r7-370-gaming-4g-4gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.514586
4)http://www.e-shop.gr/vga-gigabyte-geforce-gtx960-gv-n960ixoc-2gd-2gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.516558
5)http://www.e-shop.gr/vga-evga-geforce-gtx-750-ti-superclocked-2gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.519118

Those cards may be within my budget if i stress it too much.

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
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RobCrezz

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960 is the best there.
 
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Neloangelo123

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Neloangelo123

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Ok, one last question:

XFX Radeon HD7870 had 2 x 6-pin plus one small 2-pin.

Which 6-pin do i plug in GTX960, and what is the extra 2-pin that 7870 had?

Thanks!
 
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RobCrezz

RobCrezz

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Either of the 6 pins will work fine, the additional 2 pins are just used to create an "8 pin" connector, if its not needed then dont use it.
 
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