NVIDIA card for my i5?

[laurezard]

Hi guys. I'm looking for a graphics card for my new rig. These are the current parts (they're all assembled and the computer is running fine, minus the kickass graphics I'm looking for):

Processor: Intel i5-2500k
RAM: 4GB G.Skill Ripjaws X (Should be 2x4GB but one is defective.. I'm gonna replace it, so I'll have 8GB soon)
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
HDD: Seagate Momentus XT 500GB (temporary until prices drop)
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 650W
Graphics card to be replaced: NVIDIA GeForce 8600GS (recycled from my old computer)

I'm looking to buy this within the next few days, the sooner, the better!
My budget is up to $200 POSSIBLY, but I don't want to have to be spending that much. We'll see. Hopefully around $150.
I will be using this card for gaming.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Amazon, wherever online, really.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Looking for NVIDIA cards, because I like my current one and know that NVIDIA is always top-dog. But I guess I'm open to AMD if it's got the same specs.
OVERCLOCKING: Overclocking the CPU? Yes.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: In the future, when I get money to buy a second card. They have to be the same exact card right? Even the same model from the same manufacturer? (EVGA, PNY, etc)
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want to run games like Skyrim and Portal 2 and the stuff that's gonna come out on HIGH, BEAUTIFUL QUALITY. <3
I'm kind of on a budget, but I am willing to invest. I want this card to last me a couple years, technology-wise. (I will of course be toning down the graphics as games get more intensive)

I looked up a few cards on Newegg tonight, but I'm not very knowledgeable about GPUs, so... tell me what you think. Also, would it be worth it for me to get a card with 2GB of RAM on it? I know lots of people think that it's unnecessary on smaller screens or with a single-screen setup, but I think that it could be helpful in running games. There are already games that recommend 1GB of RAM on your GPU, so why not get 2GB now instead of replacing the card later?

At the moment, my system can run Skyrim on medium quality with what I'm estimating as about 20-25 fps. That's with only the Intel integrated graphics going, not my discrete card. I want Skyrim to run at over 60 fps at 1680x1080, high settings if not ultra. I've already read the Tom's review of GPUs and Skyrim, as well as December's best graphics cards. I'm undecided.

I looked at the 560 on Newegg and there are too many choices for a noob like me to figure out.
Here are some GTX 560 cards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661
and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134137

I like the second one but haven't heard of the brand. But I googled it and apparently their products are dependable and well-made. Also, the price comes down about $45 with savings and rebates.. sounds awesome to me.

I was considering dropping down to a GTX 460 for 2GB of RAM here, but it's pretty much just as expensive, if not moreso. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187128 Opinions? It seems like it's way slower in GHz though.

And I don't know what to think of this one. Apparently it's a GTX 550Ti, and though it seems faster GHz-wise, it has nearly half the processor cores. That's really bad right? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127573&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1bhu96vez5h3n

Thanks for your help guys. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry I'm so wordy.
Lauren

 

[internetswag]

Don't get a 2gb vram card.

Just don't, getting the 460 with 2gb of vram instead of a 560 1gb vram is crazy.

Your options are a GTX 560 ti OC edition or the Radeon 6950. Alternatively you could wait for the Radeon 7970 if you wanted an investment.

Regardless, if the criteria is a GTX 560 (non ti) I would get the EVGA card. I'm fairly sure you can find a Sapphire 6950 for about 210$ though.

 

[internetswag]

 

[refillable]

In the budget of $150 the best card is probably the 6870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161393 which is cheaper than 560.

If you can pay 560 and like nvidia more, get the 560 and the performance is the same as 6870. But for more money.

Don't get 550ti or 460 2GB my friend... Just don't get them.

 

[dfusco]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127593

 

[DelroyMonjo]

Keep saving your $$$. A 560 isn't going to get you anywhere near "HIGH< BEAUTIFUL" quality unless you're running low a res monitor. A 560TI for about $229 won't either but it will get you a better experience. I believe your MB will handle SLI so you could expand in the future.

 

[de5_Roy]

at your resolution, radeon hd 6870 should be good. but, if you want to cfx/sli in the future, then a gtx 560 or 560 ti. at that price range, nvidia cards scale better in sli than amd cards do in cfx.
or you can hold out a little longer and get one of the mid range cards from new amd southern island or nvidia kepler cards that will come out this year.
gtx 460 2gb will probably run into gpu bottleneck before its 2 gb vram can be used. same goes for gtx 560 and to some extent, radeon hd 6870. gfx cards like radeon hd 6950 or gtx 570 can utilize 1gb+ vram properly.

 

[laurezard]

All right guys, thanks so much for all your help!
I looked at all the recommendations and after considering, I'm thinking maybe I can go $250 for a card. It's an investment and I'll SLI/CFX in the future. I was looking at this 6870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948 but now that I'm thinking of paying more, I don't care for it so much anymore.
Right now, I'm looking at these:
ASUS ENGTX560 DCII OC/2DI/1GD5: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121446
ASUS ENGTX560 TI DCII TOP/2DI/1GD5: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425

I'm actually leaning more toward the TI because it does seem like it would be quite a bit faster and it's got the extra processor cores. Also it's the "TOP" model, so it's factory overclocked.. and frankly I don't want to be messing with overclocking a GPU.. I've yet to overclock my i5. I guess later I will and even then I can supposedly overclock it more because the 560 Ti I'm looking at has better cooling on it so it can be pushed further.

If I get it, I'll get it off of Amazon because I live in Hawaii and Newegg shipping is HORRIBLE to me. And surprisingly Amazon has a better price on the card, even without counting the free shipping.

Thoughts on that Ti I linked? I really want to get it.
If you have a card that is $250 with better specs/ features, please let me know!

 

[de5_Roy]

afaik, asus dc ii coolers are good. here's a review i found.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1540/1/

 

[laurezard]

All right then, I'm going to get the ASUS 560 Ti TOP card.. any last minute objections? Thanks for your help guys.

 

[internetswag]

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

I object against that

 

[refillable]

IMO MSI twin frozer coolers are better. Get it if you can find them cheaper or same price. And at that resolution you are fine with 560 ti (As long as you don't go with GTX 570 or above you are fine with that resolution)

 

[ighamerz]

if i wer you i go with HD 6950 http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-609.shtml
has good cooling system and fit for ur budjet 250$ and faster than 560 ti

 

[refillable]

If you like nvidia with it's better drivers and CUDA support, and you are loyal to nvidia. Getting 560 ti in my opinion does worth more my friend...

 

[supremeusa]

I'd get a 6970 to do your i5 some justice. if u wanna up the price to 580 level, amd wins again with the 7970. deal with it.

 

[laurezard]

I ordered the 560 Ti (ASUS TOP)
I like it for the 100% stable factory overclock, CUDA, and the stability of NVIDIA. I've never had a problem with them. Thanks guys.

To the last guy.. if you had read my post and the comments you would realize that the 6970 is way out of my price range. And you're just sassy. LOL

Thanks everyone else. I really appreciate all your input!