Best video card for under $200

[nice102]

i'm looking for a video card that will run wow, skyrim, and sc 2 on ultra settings. I would also like it to be able to handle diablo 3 when it's released. the max i would like to spend is $200.

system specs
i5 2500
8gb hyper x ddr3
60gb agiliity 3 ssd
750gb sata 2 7200 rpm
600w ocz modXstream-pro
50" 1080p tv

 

[andrewcarr]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500190 this is best in the price range.

 

[nice102]

$200 usd. when are the new nvidea cards set to release?

 

[AbdullahG]

$200 usd. when are the new nvidea cards set to release?

No exact release date yet.
The higher end cards costing well above $200 will release first from what it seems, and mid- and low-range cards will release after.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Today....the 6870 is the best "bang for the buck" card ya can get for under $200 at just $0.37 per frame.... I'd urge ya to stretch ya budget a bit )7.5%) more to $215. The 900 Mhz 560 Ti gives ya a 14% improvement over the 6870 in single card config but in SLI ($430) its 862 fps beats the ($450) 580' 616 fps by 40%, the ($480) 7950 603 fp by 43% and the $560 7970's 675 fps by 28%.

Guru3D uses the following games in their test suite, COD-MW, Bad Company 2, Dirt 2, Far Cry 2, Metro 2033, Dawn of Discovery, Crysis Warhead. Total fps (summing fps in each game @ 1920 x 1200) for the various options in parenthesis (single card / SL or CF) are tabulated below along with their cost in dollars per frame single card - CF or SLI:

$ 160.00 6870 (434/701) $ 0.37 - $ 0.46
$ 215.00 560 Ti - 900 Mhz (495/862) $ 0.43 - $ 0.50
$ 450.00 580 (616/953) $ 0.73 - $ 0.94
$ 480.00 7950 (603/NG) $ 0.80 - ERR
$ 560.00 7970 (675/NG) $ 0.83 - ERR

And yes the factory overclocked version are different cards than the reference models w/ oversize coolers, beefed up PCB's with extra phases on the VRM's for extra overclock ability. But everything will start changing in a week or so as the 78xx and new keplers arrive.

 

[andrewcarr]

lol yeah ^
Currently we have a 560Ti for $195 (before rebate, $165 after).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500190&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1dp33me58qakx

 

[vmem]

lol yeah ^
Currently we have a 560Ti for $195 (before rebate, $165 after).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500190&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1dp33me58qakx

agreed on the 560Ti. normally I'm partial to AMD cards for this budget range, but yeah, you can't beat that deal on the 560ti

 

[Absynthe2k5]

I am hearing bad things about the Zotac cards so I don't know if it's worth paying 20 dollars less for something that will burn up shortly after purchase. I am a bit scared moving to ATI as it has been years since my last ATI card and I get a bit nervous as it was nothing but problems for me but clearly the 6870 seems to be the best price wise.

 

[Supermuncher85]

In which case it is defective and will be replaced by the manufacturer. Lemons happen everywhere.

 

[andrewcarr]

Where have you heard bad things about Zotac cards? Yes the 6870 is good but for under $200 the 560Ti is better.

 

[jjack339]

at this moment I agree with the 560ti. 6870 is also a good alternative if you need to spend a little less. Also this may be hear say, but since D3 is a major point for you I have heard Blizzard games work better with Nvidia cards. Not a fanboy remark (I own 2x 6950s in CFX) but it is something to look into.

 

[Snowsniper2]

I would lean towards the GTX 560 but that is mainly because I'm an nvidia fan boy XD

 

[nice102]

Best answer selected by nice102.