EVGA GTX 560ti vs Sapphire 6870

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ddan49

ddan49

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Mar 13, 2012
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Hello,

So I'm wondering what GPU would be better for playing first person shooters (like BF3 and CoD, not to mention Combat Arms :hello: ). I'm looking for how quiet and reliable the GPU is, and am also looking at how far in the future it will be useful. I'm on a single 1680x1050 monitor. I've got the following build:

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

CPU: i5-2500k

Mobo: ASRock Pro3 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157279

Case: CoolerMaster HAF 912
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119233

PSU: Antec 550W continuous
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371016

HDD: Crucial 256GB SSD


Thanks!

EDIT: After a VERY lengthy debate (which got personal), the best solution really summarizes it well. I think that 6870 is great for a lower budget where you're gaming on a low resolution with medium-high graphics. GTX 560ti is also a nice card. The 7850 (when it comes out) seems to be the best option, but also the most expensive. I would recommend reading through the stuff below if you're considering, since every reply contributes something (well.. almost).
 
Solution
purple stain
Their really is no best answer lol.It's all personal preference.

If you must buy now go with the GTX560ti,imo.But I really think waiting another week is a good idea.But all my opinion.In the end it's your decision.I've seen this a bunch of times of first time buyers where they go back and forth over and over.I know because I was in that position as not to long ago.In the end you'll be happy with it either way.

Goodluck and Enjoy.
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MrRager22

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I can vouch for the 6850. I'm running a single 6850 and it plays Battlefield 3 on Ultra @ 1080p with no Anti Aliasing. I'm getting about 40fps average. I actually have two of them, but I have not been able to get the Crossfire to perform optimally. I DO get a higher average fps, but there is too much micro stuttering.

Gigabyte 880GA-UD3H
8 GB G.Skill DDR3 1333
AMD Phenom II X4 B55 @ 3.60 GHz
Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 Crossfire
2 x 500 GB Seagate 7200 RPM
1 x 1TB Seagate 7200 RPM
Corsair TX650 PSU
 
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ddan49

ddan49

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Would you recommend the ZOTA or the EVGA versions? EVGA is a little more expensive, but it has much better reviews. Thanks, by the way... that really helps!

EDIT: oops, sorry. Saw a few others with rebates that lowered the prices. Which manufacturer would you recommend?
 
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purple stain

purple stain

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Nov 2, 2010
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I didn't choose the BF3 benchmark because they are equal I choose it bercause it's more relevant to what games the OP plays.The 7850 is roughly 5-10 fps faster than the GTX560ti.I'm just looking at it from a price point.$205 vs $270.Is $65 really worth 10fps and a 1GB of RAM?

My main problem with your post is that you were saying it's far more powerful when to me it only seems slightly better....
 
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ddan49

ddan49

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Okay, whoa! We're starting to get into 2GB cards. The thing is that I only have ONE monitor, and I've heard more often than not that 2GB only outperforms either 1) in much higher resolutions or 2) with multiple monitors. Also, I'm looking to actually buy the card, and most 7850s are out of stock at newegg at the moment (and Amazon too, I believe). Now, I AM going to play Battlefield 3 (along with other fps), but thanks for your input on all of these cards :). I believe that something else to consider is microstuttering.. if the average fps (this time frames) is higher, but sometimes there is a little bit of lag in between frames, I would get the more stable one. Higher FPS is outweighed by a more stable fps. Now, I do have to say that Zotac does, indeed, suck ;). Also, many of the cards you have suggested, there are considerable reviews about how loud the cards are. For example, the XFX 6870 is supposed to be better, but it's louder than a lawnmower. If it only outperforms a quieter card by a little bit (meaning about 5fps), then I would get the quieter card... especially if it's cheaper.

Now, about rebates. I usually look at the rebate price, BUT I also look for reviews saying that the rebates are either 1) untrustworthy, 2) difficult, or 3) huge data mines (that last one I'm not TOO worried about). I think that right now the competition is between the 6870 and GTX 560ti (both 1GB) because the 7850 cards are out of stock. I'm going to be buying the card in about late April (I would think), so if there's anything else coming out (maybe an NVidia people are talking about?
<.<), I can wait for it. Does anyone have any information about how STABLE of a framerate the 6870 and GTX 560ti give?

Also, the MSI does look nice, but it's a little more expensive than other high-rated manufacturers. Any other opinions? Thanks for all of your input!
 
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purple stain

purple stain

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Well if your looking to play BF3 on Ultra you would want something like a 2GB card.But you would need 2 cards anyway to get playable fps.

Well if your not buying till April then you may see some changes in the market by then.Their still is no offical release date for the GTX6xx series from Nvidia but latest rumors were saying Q3 so I wouldn't expect seeing those cards when you go to make your purchase.However by then the 1GB 7850 should be on the market and it's definitly worth looking into.

I have the exact same specs as you and I can tell you that with my 6870 I can maintain a 50fps+ average on high settings with x2 A/A.This is mostly possible do to the processor.I'm currently awaiting my second 6870 which should be here tomorrow and I can't wait for the eye candy goodness.

It's expensive because it's one of the best cooling solutions on the market and it's MSI which is a quality name.
 
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17seconds

17seconds

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Between the 6870 and GTX 560 Ti, the 560 TI is flat out a higher performing card. The other big difference is that the 560 Ti will overclock like crazy, while the 6870's are well known to have very little headroom for overclocking. Basically, with a 6870, there is little room to improve. With the GTX 560 Ti, you can reach high-end performance with overclocking. With a card like the MSI GTX 560 Ti Hawk, the 950 mhz core speed places its performance in the range of a GTX 570, 6970, or 7870.

If you are curious about how smooth the gameplay is on BF3, TechReport has a great system for gauging smooth gameplay. Check it out:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21982
 
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ddan49

ddan49

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Yeah, I've seen that. That was what I was talking about when I said that fps isn't all that matters ;) . Here, it really seems like the Radeons win out, guys. Go ahead and look (a few pages in). So I'm throwing in the 6950, too. It really seems to do better (at least in Battlefield) for first person shooters. I'm also going to play a bit of Skyrim, so it's not all-important, but still...

I'm leaning towards the 6950. Especially this version (though quite a bit more expensive... anyone know a cheaper but still good one?): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125385

I'm also a little bit confused with 1GB vs 2GB. I always heard that it only mattered for high resolutions and/or multiple monitors. Also, I don't have enough to get two of these cards :ouch: , so Crossfire and SLI are out of the running for now.

By the way, thanks to you all. I have noticed a little bit of stuff off-topic (Haliburton... :non: everyone's entitled to their opinion. Thanks for yours, though :) ), but overall very good statistics and suggestions. I've noticed most of you leaning towards the GTX 560 Ti, and I have to agree that it's the better of the TWO cards (sorry). But the 6950 seems EVEN better... anything from the GTX side? Also, any suggestions for manufacturers other than Gigabyte?
A big minus with the 6950 is that there are no rebates, so it's expensive as hell. I don't know if I can...
 
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ddan49

ddan49

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Are you sure? Only like two of the reviews mention "bugs", but even then it might be a CPU bottleneck. One guy had a problem loading maps (which shouldn't be GPU related, right?) and another had boxy shadows. I can always RMA, as well, right? Or do you mean they work, just not as well?

EDIT: I'm looking here right now: http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6950-1gb-vs-geforce-gtx-560-ti-review/4
Maybe that'll help some people out after me :) What do you guys think?
 
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ddan49

ddan49

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Huh? What 7850? We were talking about 6870 AND 6950... also, I would appreciate it if you would provide some evidence. No offense, but the 560ti annihilates the 6870 in every test I've seen. I'm really leaning towards 6950, though. Also, I'm on a budget build so the 560ti being old does exactly what?
 
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purple stain

purple stain

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It looks like AMD stopped making the 6950's so it's basically there until stock runs out.You'd think it would be cheaper because the 7850 replaces it but I guess not.Definitly not how they did it with the 5850's.

Anyway I can't really reccomend the 6950 based on it's price.For that price you might as well go with the 7850 and hope to crossfire sometime down the road.But still that Twin Frozr GTX560ti for $205 after MIR is a great deal,imo.

If your looking to max out BF3 you would want to go for a 2GB card.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18344284

I'll try to find a better review.
 
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ddan49

ddan49

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So what you're saying is that with 1 card, you won't be able to go to Ultra? I'm not really looking for high graphics, but I want this card to last a while. The 7850 is definitely getting out of my price range. I started with a 6870 which was under $200! Also, I did notice that your source, purple stank, mentioned that IF you were playing over a certain resolution and on multiplayer (which I'm playing multiplayer, but my resolution is much less), THEN you would need a 2GB card. I think I'll stick with the 1GB.

Overall, (I know I've said this before :) ) I'm leaning now towards the 560 ti 1GB. The thing that's bugging me is that the Radeons outperformed the GTX on Battlefield (see matto's link http://techreport.com/articles.x/21982). I don't know what to do anymore! The Radeons seem to be much better for Battlefield, but the GTX seems to be a better card!
 
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purple stain

purple stain

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Just one thing I think I should add is that those benchmarks from techreport are from November.Their have been many driver updates since then to improve performance on both Nvidia and AMD cards.

The 1GB 7850 sounds like a good choice but if your on the fence at least wait just another week or two until all of companies release their cards.If anything it may start a few price wars and you may start to see MIR's.
 
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