Best Performance GPU for $150-$250

[ryanjh]

I'm not a big gamer but I do occasionally play games. The last game I played was Skyrim. I'm considering playing Mass Effect 3 but I'm not a big FPS player so not sure but the game looks awesome.

Build:
i5 2500K
ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 1155
4x4GB Corsair Vengeance
Hyper 212 EVO
Corsair HX750W
HAF X Full Tower

My heavy GPU use comes from Photoshop which doesn't require the gamer GPUs to run great.

The top end card I'm looking at now is the EVGA GTX 560 ti

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Dual-DualLink-DisplayPort-Graphics-012-P3-2066-KR/dp/B0069RZ0LW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1332273043&sr=1-1

And I haven't quite hit on a $150 GPU yet.

I just had to return my Radeon 5770. It corrupted my BIOS and my OS and it took a week to figure out it was the GPU causing the problem so I'm a little hesitant about another Radeon product. I also regretted not getting a better performing GPU afterwards.

Thanks!

 

[jemm]

EVGA GTX 560 ti you´ve quoted is an excellent card.

 

[ryanjh]

Thanks! I think I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger.

Do you know the difference between:

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Superclocked-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B004KZHRAM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1332276339&sr=1-1

and

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Mini-HDMI-Lifetime-Warranty-01G-P3-1561-AR/dp/B004K1EUWO/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1332276339&sr=1-2

They appear to be the same product advertised differently.

 

[ryanjh]

Why go with nvidia when for $10 less you can have the better performing 7850

I wrote the previous post before I read your post. Must have been a timing issue.

I've been looking into the 7850 and it appears your right the 7850 is the way to go when compared with the Gtx 560 ti

I found this article comparing the two, if anyone is curious:

http://www.hwcompare.com/12054/geforce-gtx-560-ti-vs-radeon-hd-7850/

My only complaint about the 7850 is that I have to buy it through Newegg. For $4 at Amazon I get overnight shipping. Only thing is that Amazon is currently sold out.

 

[murambi]

Why go with nvidia when for $10 less you can have the better performing 7850

its simple really if you are using designing software then stay away from radeon cards. They are exceptional for gaming but when used proffesionally they can bring you a world of hurt.

 

[ryanjh]

if you are using designing software then stay away from radeon cards. They are exceptional for gaming but when used proffesionally they can bring you a world of hurt.

What do you consider designing software? I use photoshop which is part of a designing suite. And what do you mean used professionally? I'm a professional photographer who uses photoshop on a daily basis.

 

[ryanjh]

Just ordered the 7850. I do play games just not that often.

The 7850s are flying off the shelves! As I was trying to decide between the Gigabyte and the HIS 7850 the last Gigabyte was sold. Sapphire was already sold out.

 

[ryanjh]

Best answer selected by ryanjh.