Need advice on upgrading new pc for gaming, budget = $250

[Carlozrossi]

Hello,
Im looking to buy a new video card for my recently purchased computer...

I wanna be able to run new games, especially BF3, at around 50+fps at high (not ultra) settings. Im in the process of picking up a new PSU, Antec 650w.

I have around $250 left to spend on a new/used video card. My question is what video card is the right choice for me?
I understand that new video cards are currently being rolled out soon and am debating whether or not to wait untill this gens video card prices fall to help me get a better card for the money...

My new pc: HP Elite H8
Specs:
MOTHERBOARD NAME Manufacturer: Pegatron IPISB-CH2 HP: Chicago

CHIPSET Intel H67 Express

PROCESSOR Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 quad-core processor 3.4Ghz with Turbo-Boost [up to 3.8GHz, 8MB cache]

MEMORY 9 GB (2 x 4 GB, 1 x 1 GB) DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [3 DIMMs] - 16GB Max Total memory slots: 4 DIMM

PRIMARY HARD DRIVE 1.5 TB 7200 rpm SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)

PRIMARY MULTIMEDIA DRIVE LightScribe Super Multi 16X DVDRW w/Double Layer

GRAPHICS CARD 1GB dedicated ATI Radeon HD6450 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]

SOUND CARD Beats Audio (tm) -- integrated studio quality sound

Power output wattage 300 Watt

Expansion Slots 1 PCIe (x16 graphics), 3 PCIe (x1), PCI Express x1 mini card socket with USB connector: 1

Drive Bays 13.33 cm (5.25 inch): 2 8.89 cm (3.5 inch) HDD: 3

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium Edition

DIMENSIONS 16.22"(L) x 6.89"(W) x 16.34"(H/D) approx

With an AOC 20" Monitor running at 1680x1050.

 

[sosofm]

That Antec is a good PSU.
Video card : GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 560 Ti http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401 210$
HIS IceQ X Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 250$ and 240$ after mail in rebates.
For your monitor resolution 6870 is a good option : SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948 170$ after rebates 150$
Ill buy 560Ti. Now depends on you.

 

[sunnk]

an hd 6950 2gb will be good for gaming if u think to buy gpu in future it performs better in higher resolution for 1080p or your resolution hd 6950 1gb will be ok.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102954

sapphire is best choice for you 239.99 after rebate.

 

[bob1255]

my 6850 and i3 2100 gets easily 60-90 fps on high. 6850 is an excellent card.

 

[Carlozrossi]

an hd 6950 2gb will be good for gaming if u think to buy gpu in future it performs better in higher resolution for 1080p or your resolution hd 6950 1gb will be ok.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102954

sapphire is best choice for you 239.99 after rebate.

That is a good point. I am happy with playing on my 20" AOC monitor but then again i havent played on 1080p before... Is it a big visual difference from my current resolution of 1680x1050???

 

[srafig4]

buy Gigabyte 6870 OC windforce 3x and upgrage PSU for more than 450W~

 

[randomkid]

That is a good point. I am happy with playing on my 20" AOC monitor but then again i havent played on 1080p before... Is it a big visual difference from my current resolution of 1680x1050???

1920x1080 are usually bigger ( starts with 21.5" ). In terms of detail, the 20"1680x1050 will be about the same with a 21.5" 1920x1080. However, the advantage of the 1920x1080 is that you get to see more. Wider & taller ( although not much ). So it means you will see more views on the side which previously you do not see on the 1680x1050.

 

[Carlozrossi]

Thank you Randomkid, that helped me understand better about resolutions...

As of right now im leaning towards the 6950 even though the price of the 560ti is more appealing to me.

Does anyone foresee a price drop on any of these 2 cards anytime soon? I am willing to wait if it means saving some more $.

 

[LtnCharles]

Wait for 77xx, or even 78xx, newer always means better!

 

[EDVINASM]

Wait for 77xx, or even 78xx, newer always means better!

Good point. April will see new NVidia GTX 650Ti that will be priced around 560Ti point and should perform 1.5x faster. If you can hold on to your rig - do so. April should be a fun month for anyone upgrading (including me).

 

[sunnk]

Thank you Randomkid, that helped me understand better about resolutions...

As of right now im leaning towards the 6950 even though the price of the 560ti is more appealing to me.

Does anyone foresee a price drop on any of these 2 cards anytime soon? I am willing to wait if it means saving some more $.

i think when the whole hd 7xxx series and nvidia 6xx will come out there will be a chance of price drop.

 

[EDVINASM]

i think when the whole hd 7xxx series and nvidia 6xx will come out there will be a chance of price drop.

Thought the same about GTX 460 when GTX 5xx came out. Boy was I wrong.. Prices were solid for good few months.

 

[Carlozrossi]

Thanks guys, as of right now, im going with the 6950. When the new cards drop i'll probably sell it and make up the difference for a newer card.

 

[Carlozrossi]

Best answer selected by Carlozrossi.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey