560 Ti or 6870 for my PSU?

[jonac13]

I'm thinking about upgrading my video card to either a 560 Ti or 6870, based mostly upon whether or not my current rig (PSU, specifically) can handle the latter.

My rig -

Phenom II X4 955 3.2 GHz
8GB of RAM
1TB Spinpoint F3
64GB Samsung 830 SSD
OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016, for reference

The cards I'm considering -

EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Also, I plan to be running either one at 1920x1080, if that's relevant.

Thanks!

 

[Helltech]

The ModXStream 500w is a decent PSU, it can handle the 560Ti.

GeForce GTX 560 - On your average system the card requires you to have a 500 Watt power supply unit.

^ That was quoted from a GTX 560Ti review before the GTX 560 "normal" was out.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-review/7



With that said the 560Ti is about 6 percent faster than the 6870.

 

[jonac13]

The ModXStream 500w is a decent PSU, it can handle the 560Ti.

GeForce GTX 560 - On your average system the card requires you to have a 500 Watt power supply unit.

^ That was quoted from a GTX 560Ti review before the GTX 560 "normal" was out.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-review/7



With that said the 560Ti is about 6 percent faster than the 6870.

So it can handle the 560 Ti, but would it be any safer to go with the 6870? You mention at the end that the 560 Ti is 6% faster than the 6870, but is that negligible in exchange for a greater assurance of the PSU handling the GPU under load along with the $50 price disparity?

This is obviously a much more subjective question, but I'd appreciate input either way.

 

[computadoro]

You should compare 6870 vs 6950 as the 6950 uses less power at load. I'd suggest the 6870 to be on the safe side, but here's the most helpful link you fill find.
http://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards

 

[Helltech]

I'd personally go with the 560Ti, your PSU is more then good enough dude.

Guru 3D recommended a 500 PSU, not because you would be pulling that much from the system (at peak you will only be pulling about 319w), but because they think that is the safest wattage to go with. Remembered thats STRESSED out only pulling 319w, you are perfectly safe using a 500w PSU with a GTX 560Ti. Hell you can run SLI 460's off a 550w PSU of good quality.

So yeah. The price difference is totally up to you, however. Personally I'd get the 560Ti.

 

[monsta]

Definately go with the 560ti, your PSU will handle it and you will get some decent performance out of it.

 

[jonac13]

Best answer selected by jonac13.