~$150 to pair with i3 2100

[dyersituations]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this week

BUDGET RANGE: ~$150

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (BF3, Skyrim, The Witcher 2)

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: 4850 and EarthWatts 500W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: i3 2100, ASRock Z68 Gen3 (xFire support)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, tigerdirect, amazon, etc.

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Today there is a good deal on a OE 5850, and I am debating between the deal or a 6850/6870. Which card would be best paired with the i3 2100, especially for BF3. Right now SuperBiiz has a $15 code for the GPUs, as well as Deus Ex free with 6850/6870.

-------------------------------

1 day 5850 deal - $125 w/ shipping
Sapphire Radeon HD6850 1GB - $140 with code before rebate
Sapphire Radeon HD6870 1GB - $163 with code before rebate

 

[king smp]

Well if you area AMD/ATI guy then the HD 6870 1gb would be my choice
though the GTX 460 1gb is a good alternative while they are still around
I am a ATI owner
but consider the GTx 460 1gb the best $150 card for now
especially if considering a dual GPU setup
but the HD 6870 is a solid choice

if you can wait for the HD 7xxx series to launch (Q4 11 and Q1 12)
that would be a good idea
since the HD 6xxx series should drop in price
or possibly a good deal on HD 7xxx
but I understand not waiting for an upgrade

 

[dyersituations]

The GTX 460 1gb is a good alternative...I understand not waiting for an upgrade

What makes the 460 a good choice? The cheapest on newegg right now is ~158 with shipping and for $5 more I can get the 6870 from SuperBiiz, which seems to have better performance. Should I forget about the 6850? And, I'll probably just upgrade now since my 4850 can't handle BF3 very well and the next gen release is a couple months away.

 

[king smp]

just quickly googling some benches
this is a Unigine DX11 bench
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/37499-hd-6870-hd-6850-vs-gtx-460-1gb-overclocking-study-12.html

especially look at the high res benches
though do realize these are some heavy OC 460 1gbs

I was just suggesting the 460 as an option to consider
I have all the love for AMD GPUs

but also if you dont mind playing the rebate game
and you are budget conscience
you can end up with a $120 460 1gb Zotac
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500202

or a killer MSI with awesome cooling that will OC nice
for 160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127510

but the HD 6870 and GTX 460 are basically equals
and if you like ATI better
than by all means go with the HD 6870
it is a great card

 

[dyersituations]

Best answer selected by dyersituations.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr