GPU choice (gaming rig, mid-range)

[_RoRo_]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: before Jan 10th or so,
PRICE RANGE: $200-500

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Mostly Gaming (most commonly online games such as TF2 or LoL but enjoy single player FPS/RPG as well, Fallout...)

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: No gpu, building new system, psu is an 850W so far (not purchased yet)

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
Total budget was under 1500, currently at 1k without the GPU

CPU: Intel Core i5-760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067

MoBo: ASUS P7P55D-E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

RAM: GeIL Black Dragon 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144447

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, canadacomputers,
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US if buying now, Canada if later

PARTS PREFERENCES: Brand doesn't matter as long as it's one of the major ones (EVGA, MSI, ASUS...)

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe later on but wouldn't be against overclocking right away if the yield is good
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: As an upgrade option but open to suggestions

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

CONSIDERING:
Lower end:
ASUS EAH5850 DirectCU TOP/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121370

MSI R6870 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127545&cm_re=radeon_6870-_-14-127-545-_-Product

Higher end:
Nvidia GTX 580 (assuming they appear in stock before mid Jan)

ASUS EAH6970/2DI2S/2GD5 Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121417&cm_re=radeon_6970-_-14-121-417-_-Product

I think my system isn't quite up to the gtx 580 level so I wouldn't get the best performance for the money.
The options are really
1) Take one of the lower end cards, both should be enough for the next year/two
2) Take one of the higher end cards (here I think the 580 would be better based on benchmark info)
3) Take 2 of the lower end cards and CF (seems like a waste since a single 580 can provide approx. the same performance)

Also open to suggestions.
Cheers.

 

[mosox]

A HD 6950 might be just what you need, strong enough, overclocks very well to the level of the HD 6970. You can buy another one later but the HD 6870 is a good option too.

 

[_RoRo_]

Thanks, would love to hear some more opinions =)
As an alternative to the 580 I guess I could also consider the 570 which is essentially the same as the 6970 performance-wise

 

[shadow187]

I'd grab an HD6950 now and crossfire them later. It's better than the more expensive GTX570 SLI. If you want the best performance now two HD6870's is the way to go. If you want a single-card solution get a GTX580.

 

[_RoRo_]

I'd grab an HD6950 now and crossfire them later. It's better than the more expensive GTX570 SLI. If you want the best performance now two HD6870's is the way to go. If you want a single-card solution get a GTX580.

That's the thing, I'm not sure what's best.
So far inclined to just go with a 6950.

 

[builderbobftw]

Get the GTX 570.

Its by far the best overall card you listed, and well worth the money over a 6950

 

[jjb8675309]

I say either gtx 570 or 6870, the 6950 is not worth the money over the 6870 and the 570 is def worth the money over the 6950 imo. But then again I couldnt justify spending 270 on a 6870

 

[Tamz_msc]

Since your motherboard does not support SLI or Crossfire, I'd go with a single GTX 570.

 

[_RoRo_]

Since your motherboard does not support SLI or Crossfire, I'd go with a single GTX 570.

Seems like it does support CF actually, are you sure it doesn't?

Decided to go with a single 6950 in the end.

 

[Tamz_msc]

Oh sorry, my bad that I didn't see properly.The HD 6950 is a good choice.

 

[jjb8675309]

agreed