Best Value MSI Hawk GTX460 vs XFX HD-687A-ZDFC Radeon HD 6870

[joogle]

Hi - would appreciate your help in whether I should wait to buy a card for a new build or buy one of the following based on the discounts/credits in my newegg account.

FYI - these prices I am listing are specific to my account (so please do not wonder if these are specific coupons/etc.)

1. Existing build is :

Processor: i5-2500k
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 matx motherborad
Memory: Corsair 8gb (2 X 4GB) ram
Power Supply: Antec 750 Earthwatts
Case: Antec Mini P180 Black.
Graphics card: GeoForce 7900 GS (which say to least does not run games well)

This build is already running great.

2. I don't need SLI/Crossfire, will just utilize one card.

3. I don't necessarily have a tendency to overclock, this is the first time ive done with my cpu/motherboard combo.

4. I can get the XFX HD-687A-ZDFC Radeon HD 6870 (dual fan) for $137 After Rebate (AR).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150521&Tpk=XFX%20HD-687A-ZDFC

Or

MSI N460GTX Hawk GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB for $107 AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127518&Tpk=MSI%20Hawk%20GTX%20460

I am not a heavy gamer but do have some games like Batman, Civ 5, Portal 2, etc. that I would like to play.

My main objective is to get the best price/value.

This is where I need your help. Do I spring the extra $30 to get the XFX card or stick with the MSI one.

I understand I lose the Physx capability which I tend to like, but I'm aiming for value/bargain here.

Or is it better to wait a couple of weeks to see if there is any new promo in August.

The discounts/credits I have in my newegg account expire 7/29.

Thanks!

 

[joogle]

Anyone have any input? Thanks

 

[jyjjy]

I'm not sure where you are getting that price difference from. With the promo code on the HD6870 and the shipping on the GTX 460 both cards are the exact same price essentially, $157.

 

[joogle]

Hi - I'm referring to specific prices im getting as mentioned in my post (second line), i have certain credits tied to my newegg account, regardless those are the prices specific to my account.

I am getting the GTX460 MSI for $107 AR and the HD6870 XFX for $137 AR

I'm not sure where you are getting that price difference from. With the promo code on the HD6870 and the shipping on the GTX 460 both cards are the exact same price essentially, $157.

 

[jyjjy]

Go for the GTX 460 and OC it like crazy(it's not hard, easier than OCing a CPU.)

 

[Onus]

Civ V will perform notably better with the GTX460, however for most everything else, the HD6870 is stronger: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290?vs=313
Also, if you are interested in bitcoin mining, ATi cards blow nVidia out of the water.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Anyone have any input? Thanks

Don't...
Bump posts
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/283384-33-read-first

 

[jyjjy]

Civ V will perform notably better with the GTX460, however for most everything else, the HD6870 is stronger

Your statement is true at reference speeds but the Hawk already has a good OC and can still go much higher while the HD6870 has relatively little overclocking potential. If he isn't going to OC further then it's a judgement call as to whether the HD6870 is worth the extra $30. I'd still say the Hawk is a better value for the money in that case as the HD6870 is about 5-10% faster while costing 28% more. If he is willing to OC further then it makes even less sense.

 

[joogle]

Thanks for the input, and sorry about the bump earlier.

The XFX HD 6850 is available to me for $109 AR as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150516

Now thats thrown into the mix as well.


Ugh - tough decision for some reason, i may just go for the cost savings and go with the 460 MSI Hawk

 

[jyjjy]

The HD6850 is on par with a reference GTX 460 but the cooling on the Hawk is the best around and it has a rather large factory OC and headroom to go significantly higher.
The HD6850 on the other hand does come with Dirt 3 and Shogun 2 which is nice. Even if you aren't interested in them you could likely ebay them for about $20 each so it's your call.

 

[joogle]

I went with the Hawk as there was special $40 rebate on one day and I got it for $97 After Rebate

 

[jyjjy]

Not bad at all.