Choose my new video card!

[tonyitalia514]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the forums and i hope i'm putting this in the correct department. I recently had a friend force me to buy Battlefield 3, myself not being much of a PC gamer didn't look into 'if' i was able to even run the game. I turned it on, low setting at 2100/1900 res, something like that, and basically, i can really move - FPS must be 3/4.

The below are my current settings, i run Starcraft fine (Removing shaders, lighting, ect)

CPU Type:
Intel® Core™2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
CPU Speed:
2.36 GHz
System Memory:
8 GB
Video Card Model:
ATI Radeon HD 4350
Video Card Memory:
3.24 GB
Video Card Driver:
atiumdag.dll
Desktop Resolution:
1920x1080
Hard Disk Size:
917.24 GB
Hard Disk Free Space:
708.17 GB (77%)
Download Speed:
644.83 kB/s (5.3 mbps)

I'm on a huge budget, strapped for cash, can someone please tell me which videocard (Under 250$) i should purchase? Im not even looking for ULTRA setting, i'd like to run the game well and that is all. Diablo 3 too when it comes out

Help me please <3

 

[mabreatsh]

for 260 you can get the 7850, which is an excellent card and comparable to 570 when OC'd, I would be the Gigabyte OC version, from 860 to 975 core speed is far more than impressive.

 

[tonyitalia514]

Okay! I'm trusting you, going a little over what i wanted to spend,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125419

That's the one? Think it'll fix my problem?

 

[farrengottu]

you could get a 7750 or a 7770 and it would run BF3 fine. not at absolute max settings but the game still looks good at high. and its enough for that. btw starcraft will be smooth as butter at max with this card.

$110 for a 7750
$150 for a 7770

 

[tonyitalia514]

Diablo 3 as well? That's the key one, i can't imagine it wouldn't be though.

All your information is very helpful, honestly. Thank you.

 

[mabreatsh]

the 7770 would be great for your needs, the 7850 is just more'future proof' I would stretch my budget for the 7850 if I were you. GTX 560 ti is also good.

 

[wolfram23]

2100/1900 resolution? That's... big. And odd. Hm.

I do not suggest a 7770 as it is more expensive and performs worse than a 6850. The 7750 is a good card though, similar to a 5770/6770 which are very nice low end cards. The 6850 is faster than all of those.

So yeah something in the 6850, 6870, or GTX 560 area is probably quite good for you. 7850 is awesome of course, but it depends on your expectations.

 

[tonyitalia514]

2100/1900 haha, sorry for the mistake. I'm so glad i have this info now, bestbuy here i come!

 

[wolfram23]

2100/1900 haha, sorry for the mistake. I'm so glad i have this info now, bestbuy here i come!

Nooooo!!! Do not buy a GPU from them! They have bizarre "OEM" type models... you want to go to a place like Microcenter or Fry's (if you're in the USA - Memory Express in Canada is good) and get something from MSI, EVGA, ASUS, Sapphire, XFX, or another reputable brand with a nice warranty.

 

[tonyitalia514]

Okay, can i order from newegg? yes i'm in Canada, Quebec - i haven't heard of those stores you are speaking of!

 

[wolfram23]

newegg.ca, NCIX.com, tigerdirect.ca, directcanada.com are all pretty good.

Turns out Memory Express is only in BC, AB, and MB

 

[tonyitalia514]

Thanks a lot, i cant wait to actually play with at least 20 fps

 

[Wyered1]

Just to point out that if you are strapped for cash, you can go way cheaper than the 7770 too. My 5770 will run SC2 at Ultra settings and BF3 pretty high on one monitor and good FPS. Just pointing out you can get a 6770 or anything you can find around that performance or even less to save some cash.

Is that GPU integrated? That processor probably gets taxed pretty hard especially in SC2. Don't spend too much on a GPU unless you plan to upgrade the rest of that system within a year or two.

 

[tonyitalia514]

Integrated? I'm not sure, ill have to check when i get home i guess, i see what you mean though.

 

[wolfram23]

I'm not sure that Intel would integrate an AMD GPU... pretty sure 4350 is discreet. Very low end, though.

But yes I agree a 5770 or 6770 (same exact card) is a great deal at around $100.

 

[tonyitalia514]

To make this super easy on my small brain BAHA.

Diablo 3 - I want top settings

Starcraft 2 - Top settings

Battlefield 3 - The best i can get please, i can perform well when it's coppy.

I don't mind spending a little more for the 6850, if it gives me what i need, ill be happy!

 

[swifty_morgan]

try this.............

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125412

............... it's more than you need and the rest of your hardware couldn't push anything bigger.

 

[wolfram23]

The 6850 is around $150, it'll do what you want. If you pay a bit more for the 6870 it will mostly benefit BF3. SC2 isn't hugely demanding (unless you enable AA but there's no point for this game). I don't know what specs D3 will have but my guess is it won't be too much different than SC2.

 

[megamanx00]

Nobody asked what your PSU is!!?? What is it? Anyway a 7850 is too much GPU for your CPU. You would be better off with a 6870 and a PSU if you don't have a decent 500W PSU

XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

or

Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

 

[tonyitalia514]

Noob alert... PSU?

 

[tonyitalia514]

oh power suply? damn i hope its okay i paid 2.5 thousand about 2 years ago for this junkbox lol... bestbuy

 

[wolfram23]

Hmm that 460 is nice but he's in Canada so you need to search newegg.ca not .com.

These are the best cards in the ~$150 range, in order of performance from worst to best:

$115 6770
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161401

$130-$10 MIR 6790
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161377

$140 6850
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374

$150-$15 MIR GTX 460 1gb
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130749

$180 6870
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161389

The 460 is probably the best deal, but the 6850 is very similar performance. 6870 is the best card of course, but I don't know if the extra $40 is worth it for you. The 6790 is a very good card as well and it might not max graphics in all games but it will do well.

 

[tonyitalia514]

Ill get the 180 then, let me order this thing, enough said! hehe

 

[wolfram23]

Just check your power supply first. You'll need to open your case and have a look at the label. Would hate to have you buy something and then have your system break because the PSU blew up.

 

[tonyitalia514]

Leaving the gym in 1 hour, ill check asap - i'm sure it's fine though, gut feeling.. ill post it as soon as i get the info