Difficulty in choosing a new GPU.

[KDM]

I've been reading and comparing graphics cards for months now and have finally registered to ask a question and see some different opinions.

I'm looking for a GPU worth around $150-$250. If its worth to go a little higher ($300) why not.

I've been looking at the GTX 560 Ti, HD 6850, HD 6870, HD 6950, HD 6970, and GTX 570.
I do NOT want to SLI/Crossfire because my case isn't that big so it probably won't fit more than one.

My uncle is handing me a 600-700w PSU, so I think that's enough for any one of these cards.

Preferred Websites: NewEgg and Amazon. If there are any other goods sites, please recommend.
Overclocking: Maybe. Never did it before so I won't want to break the GPU and void warranty or anything.
Resolution: 1680x1050
Current GPU: GT 530
Gaming: Looking for a GPU that can MAX the upcoming BF3 (Battle Field 3). Max or very high.

I'm looking for a good company too. Like good customer service, better warranties, etc...

Comp Specs
OS: Win7 64bit
CPU: i7-2600 @3.4GHz
Ram: 8GB

Thank you!

 

[greenrider02]

for $250, either a 1GB 6950 or GTX560 ti would work very well for you.

 

[purple stain]

Do you know what brand and model that PSU is?

What case do you have?

A GTX570 or 6970 would ensure that you can maxout BF 3 at your resolution but a 6950 or GTX560ti should play it on high settings and it's within your budget.

 

[KDM]

My uncles going to give it to me in the next couple of days so I don't know the model/brand. (The PSU)
I'll be making the purchase within 2 weeks. (The GPU)


These are the dimensions of my case:
Product Height
15.7"
Product Width
6.7"
Product Depth
16"

It's a stock ASUS case.

I really like the GTX 560Ti and HD 6950 prices, is it possible to overclock and have it rival close to the GTX 570 or HD 6970?

 

[mdd1963]

The GTX570 outperforms the 6970 w/ $40 less cost....

Win/Win

 

[purple stain]

You can O.C. them but your still gonna be missing the shaders which makes them faster.

 

[KDM]

The GTX570 outperforms the 6970 w/ $40 less cost....

Win/Win

PurpleStank said that a GTX 570 can max out BF3, does that mean stock speeds?

Can I get a 560 Ti to match a 570 by overclocking?
Does overclocking void EVGA's warranty? (Neweggs best ratings when searching GTX 570, EVGA comes on top.)

 

[Youngmind]

PurpleStank said that a GTX 570 can max out BF3, does that mean stock speeds?

Can I get a 560 Ti to match a 570 by overclocking?
Does overclocking void EVGA's warranty? (Neweggs best ratings when searching GTX 570, EVGA comes on top.)

Overclocking Evga products does not void the warranty as long as there is no physical damage to the product or missing components.

http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/nvidia_geforce_gtx_560_ti_overclocking_guide,5.html

You can definitely overclock the 560ti past the stock performance of the gtx 570 by overclocking.

 

[KDM]

Wow. Thanks for that link.
I was actually thinking of going for the GTX570, but since the GTX560Ti can go that hard...

Is overclocking it simple/not really difficult?

Is "over-volting" or whatever you call it dangerous?

The GTX570 maybe more future proof, but the difference in price is a lot!

 

[Swolern]

Evga has one of the best customer service and warranty out there.

 

[purple stain]

If your not to into O.C.ing here's a Gigabyte SOC with clocks already at 1ghz.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125362

I've heard the temps aren't that bad either.

 

[KDM]

If your not to into O.C.ing here's a Gigabyte SOC with clocks already at 1ghz.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125362

I've heard the temps aren't that bad either.

Just checked out the reviews and overheating seems to come up a lot.

I don't think my case will have that much air flow...
Would it be wise to just go for a GTX570... because of overheating issues with an OC'd GTX560Ti?

 

[purple stain]

Well the GTX570's get a lot hotter than a GTX560ti.You would need to spend the extra $30-$50 for a decent GTX570 that has an aftermarket heatsink.The GTX560ti's are a lot better about heat.

I only suggested the Gigabyte SOC because I thought it was neat that they factory O.C.'d it to 1ghz which is about the max for the GTX560ti,maybe a little further like 1024mhz.And a 200mhz factory O.C. is insane cause they never O.C. that high.You can always buy a Asus Direct CU or MSI Twin Frozr GTX560ti and O.C. it manually.Those cards would be the best for that.

What you got to understand is that O.C. ing produces higher temps all around.In order to get faster clocks you need to increase the voltage which adds heat and increasing the clocks makes the GPU work harder which produces more heat.It's only natural that a O.C.'d card runs a little hotter than normal.

 

[purple stain]

I totally forgot about the Hawk.The MSI Hawk is probably the best card for you.It's got a pretty nice O.C. on it already and it should be effortless to get it to 1ghz.The cooling on the Hawk is also extremely good.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127578

 

[KDM]

I totally forgot about the Hawk.The MSI Hawk is probably the best card for you.It's got a pretty nice O.C. on it already and it should be effortless to get it to 1ghz.The cooling on the Hawk is also extremely good.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127578

Been researching it for a little.
Is it better then the twin frozr 3 or 2 or whatever...
If the HAWK is the best one then I'll probably go for that!

 

[purple stain]

The Hawk is essintally the same heatsink as the Twin Frozr II it just has an O.C and a different look.

That's a good card.

The only thing left is your PSU.It can run a single GTX560ti but if it's a poor quality PSU then I would suggest not running it in SLI.

 

[KDM]

The Hawk is essintally the same heatsink as the Twin Frozr II it just has an O.C and a different look.

That's a good card.

The only thing left is your PSU.It can run a single GTX560ti but if it's a poor quality PSU then I would suggest not running it in SLI.

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll take your word for it!
Thanks for the PSU advice. I'll be sure to upgrade if I think of going SLI in the future!

 

[KDM]

Best answer selected by KDM.

 

[purple stain]

I just wanted to be sure you can use it properly.Even a 700watt PSU made of poor quality can't even run a single GTX560ti.As long as it's an Seasonic,Corsair,Cooler Master,XFX or Antec you should be fine.

 

[KDM]

I'll be sure to check the brand before making the purchase!

thanks again!

 

[purple stain]

Welcome.Goodluck

Happy Gaming!!!

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey