Best graphics card for ~$150 ?

[nemmyy]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a week or two

Budget Range: Around $150

Usage: I'm getting this for gaming. I'm not a huge gamer but would like to fully enjoy future releases such as Star Wars: The Old Republic and Dragon Age Origins II. I've been playing games like Fallout 3/New Vegas and Dragon Age Origins. I don't plant on playing multiplayer pc games except for The Old Republic.

Current GPU and Power Supply: Integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 4200 GPU and OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W

Other Relevant System Specs: AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz, ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 MoBo, and OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1066

Preferred Website for Parts: Newegg.com only

Parts Preferences: I think I only want to use an ATI card

Overclocking: I don't think so...Not really a need and I don't want to reduce the life of my parts.

Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: Right now 1280x1024, but will hopefully be getting a new 1080p monitor soon as well.

Additional Comments: Hoping to run most games at full settings. I was thinking of the MSI R5770 Hawk Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card. Please let me know if that will work.



Thanks for any help in advance

 

[yesitsmario]

The 460 768mb for $155($125 after rebate) is a bit better than the 5770 and this 1 comes with a free game http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500173&cm_re=gtx_460_768mb-_-14-500-173-_-Product

This 5770 is $100 after rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338&cm_re=hd_5770-_-14-161-338-_-Product

For $150, I'd go for the 460. For $100 go for the 5770. Or you can save up $30 more and go for an hd 6850.

 

[clarkjd]

Of Course, if you go for the 460, then Crossfire will not be an option...

If crossfire is a 'must' then go for the 6850!

 

[nemmyy]

Well the reason I wanted crossfire was so upgrading would be easier and cheaper in the future. The 5770 looks pretty good, but whats the difference between that and the msi 5770 that I was looking at? The one I found won the customer choice award.

 

[clarkjd]

Performance wise, a 5770 is a 5770 is a 5770, unless one is a factory overclocked version. Pick the one with the lowest price or best bundle of software.

 

[g00fysmiley]

nvidia wins at the 150 price point with some gtx 460's... you can spend a bit less and get a 5770 and judging by your needs it'd fit you just fine... or spend a few bucks more ie around $180 on a 6850 if you really want a ati

but per your needs a 5770 should save you money and work just fine!

 

[plznote]

A 6850 sounds great if you can scavenge some money.
the GTX 460 768Mb runs out of VRAM at 1080p so that is something to consider.

 

[yesitsmario]

Well the reason I wanted crossfire was so upgrading would be easier and cheaper in the future. The 5770 looks pretty good, but whats the difference between that and the msi 5770 that I was looking at? The one I found won the customer choice award.

Well the MSI has a better cooler, but at a $50 difference.

 

[pacific27]

I'm looking to upgrade from my 5670 (which has been a great card) to a 5770, which is very tempting at the 100$ price point, but I think I'm going to go with a newer 6850. Thinking down the road in a year or so that crossfiring it with another will extend the life of my system. I've had good luck with saphire cards..... there are a couple other options at this price point.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

180.00 = 165.00 after (mir) + free shipping

A little more than I wanted to spend but hoping this setup will save me money in the long run an allow me to play newer games

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850-barts,2776-20.html

 

[yesitsmario]

^ and remember most 6850's can overclock to 6870 performance pretty easily.

 

[nemmyy]

Thanks everyone for the info on the 6850's. I think I'm going to try to save for that, but if I don't come up with enough then I may settle for the $100 5770

 

[nemmyy]

Best answer selected by Nemmyy.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar