NVIDIA gtx260/gtx 460 or switch to ATI?

[t33ballaz]

HI all, right now i have the following rig setup:
4/12/2011, 18:21:04
Machine name: LOTT33HOME-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_rtm.101119-1850)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: P55A-UD4P
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.6GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8188MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 11

And Graphics info:
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 260
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_05E2&SUBSYS_23911682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4069 MB
Dedicated Memory: 869 MB
Shared Memory: 3199 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Model: ASUS VH242
Monitor Id: ACI24FA
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.6724 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.6724

My question is there are 3 main games I am interested(Dungeon Siege III, The Witcher 2, and Diablo 3(if it comes out this year) in playing this year, and as a perfectionist, i like them to look as good as possible. Also I am on somewhat of a budget and can't afford top of the line.

My current graphics card, xfx gtx 260 product code: GX-260N-ADBF is great and I am now able to run SC2 on Ultra and stable at 60fps. But I know the demands on video card high settings only increase as the technology moves forward.

SO, my question is do I uprade to the GTX 260, I have thought about this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568. But I have heard there has been some increase interest in the ATI. I wouldn't even know what the equivalent ATI card to the GTX 460 would be. But my main use for graphics is for gaming, so I just want to get some feedback on what others are doing for graphics, in particular the gaming market. And I figured if you had my system info, based on components and setup that might help narrow down the card that would work best. Thanks ahead of time for any of those that offer suggestions.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

an amd 6850 is equivelant to a gtx460, in most cases its a little faster. Im not sure if you will notice much of an upgrade over a gtx260 though. You should be looking at a gtx560 or amd 6950 IMO to make an upgrade worth while.

 

[t33ballaz]

so would i be better off overclocking my gtx 260 for now until the gtx 560's come down in price? Right now i have it at stock settings it is the xfx gtx 260 black edition so i know its made to be overclocked. Or is overclocking overated, and not get as much of a performance burst as some say? Sorry i am new the graphics end of computing. I have been repairing and building them for years, customizing for gaming is new to me still. Thanks for your help by the way.

 

[t33ballaz]

So I just went on to newegg.com and see: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610 is about $30 more than the: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568. So if it were your money, would the gtx superclocked 560 be a more noticeable upgrade from the gtx 260? Or should I consider the ATI? I am always hearing how NVIDIA is best for gaming, and that is exactly what I am doing. Thanks for any comments.

 

[geofelt]

The GTX460 is only mildly faster than the GTX260. I think you would be disappointed by the upgrade.
If you are going to make a jump, make it a significant jump, like to at least a GTX560ti, or GTX 570.

The amd equivalents would be the 6950 or 6970.

 

[celpas]

So I just went on to newegg.com and see: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610 is about $30 more than the: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568. So if it were your money, would the gtx superclocked 560 be a more noticeable upgrade from the gtx 260? Or should I consider the ATI? I am always hearing how NVIDIA is best for gaming, and that is exactly what I am doing. Thanks for any comments.

Yeah the 560 ti is the minimum if you are coming from a 260.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-graphics-card-geforce-gtx-590-radeon-hd-6990,2879-7.html

As you can see the 460 768mb and the SE version are on the same level as the 260 with the 1gig 460 being a tier higher.TYo make an upgrade worthwghile the new card should be at least 2 tiers higher.so go for the 560 ti.the 460 and the 6850 are not worth it.
The AMD equivalent for the 560 ti is the 6950 which you can unlock into a 6970 but I am not sure whether you can do that now.I would still get the 560 ti because of physx and as the games you are gonna play are nvidia dominated games.

 

[t33ballaz]

Best answer selected by t33ballaz.

 

[t33ballaz]

Thank you for clearing that up, it is settled, NVIDIA GTX 560 Ti. Thanks again!

 

[jjb8675309]

get a gtx 570, I got mine for 304AR, it oc's near 580 levels

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey