Help with picking out a GPU

[ryuen76]

I just got done building my first computer and I need a new GPU because the one I have in there now (a free card that my friend gave me) is not suffice for SC2. I dont plan on crossfiring now, but I want that option open in the future and therefore I want to stick with ATI since my mobo is only crossfire ready. I dunno where to start and I would like a card that is the best bang for your buck and that can handle SC2 on high or ultra settings.

Phenom II X4 965BE
MSI 870A-G54
Antec 550W PSU
4GB G.Skill Ripjaws 1600

 

[jyjjy]

What is your monitor's native resolution?

 

[wa1]

And budget?

 

[ryuen76]

1920x1080

My budget is $125-150... Maybe I'll go up to $200 if cards in that range are far more superior..

 

[wa1]

Save a little bit and get HD5850...
Yes, it's expensive, but can handle most of games with HIGH setting.
but if you want to CF then you must upgrade your PSU.

 

[yesitsmario]

HD 5770 sound about right for your budget

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125327&cm_re=hd_5770-_-14-125-327-_-Product

Though you might have to upgrade your power supply when/if you decide to do crossfire.

You can also wait a month or so and see if the new radeon cards come out.

 

[jyjjy]

HD5770. It's not the best for your resolution but it should still be rather good. Two in crossfire will give you performance similar to an HD5870. An 550w Antec should handle crossfired HD5770s just fine BTW.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873
Alternately wait a bit for the HD6000 cards if you aren't in a real hurry.

 

[ryuen76]

Save a little bit and get HD5850...
Yes, it's expensive, but can handle most of games with HIGH setting.
but if you want to CF then you must upgrade your PSU.

is there a particular brand that is good... can you link me one?

 

[ryuen76]

HD 5770 sound about right for your budget

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125327&cm_re=hd_5770-_-14-125-327-_-Product

Though you might have to upgrade your power supply when/if you decide to do crossfire.

You can also wait a month or so and see if the new radeon cards come out.

this one is a PCI Express 2.1 x 16.. Will this work with my mobo?

 

[jyjjy]

Yes, it will work fine on an 870 motherboard, or any with a 2.0 slot.
As for an HD5850 I'll quote myself from a different thread;

This is a very nice deal(crazy $50 rebate);
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127500
Good brand, nice cooler and it's also one of only a few HD5850s that will let you raise the voltage on the core. When you do so you can often get speeds of up to 1000mhz which is a huge overclock.

 

[ryuen76]

bump

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey