This may seem an odd request, but I'm looking for graphics cards that have the fan at the end (or beginning, depending on your orientation) of the card, thus blowing all exhaust out of the back of the computer case. I'm working with a small form TJ08BE case, and I'm very conscious of the airflow in these cramped quarters. Despite the limited space, the case has plenty of room for most of the cards on the market right now, and given my budget I didn't think it would be hard finding something to keep up with the occasional game on high settings. But since I'm very, very new to investing in a graphics card, its hard for me to tell what's overkill, and what's barely scraping by. I guess for starters, I'd like to hear which of these would seem better suited to my system: Radeon 6770 1GB, or the Radeon 6870 1GB
And of course, the obligatory form for more info...
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week
BUDGET RANGE: USD $180 Before Rebates (I may be able to stretch this a bit)
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming [Starcraft II, LoL/HoN, Mass Effect], Home Theater, Photoshop (minimal benefits, I know)
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: No GPU yet, 650W HIVE PSU by Rosewill
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Intel i7 2600k - Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z mobo (mATX)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon, Newegg, TigerDirect, Fry's (I have a local store for pickup, and they do price matching)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Accustomed to AMD, but willing to hear out suggestions
OVERCLOCKING: Unlikely
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Either 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 (have not settled on a monitor yet)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Games are an added luxury to this being my work machine, so I don't need or expect to max out the games I listed on ultra settings.
And of course, the obligatory form for more info...
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week
BUDGET RANGE: USD $180 Before Rebates (I may be able to stretch this a bit)
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming [Starcraft II, LoL/HoN, Mass Effect], Home Theater, Photoshop (minimal benefits, I know)
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: No GPU yet, 650W HIVE PSU by Rosewill
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Intel i7 2600k - Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z mobo (mATX)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon, Newegg, TigerDirect, Fry's (I have a local store for pickup, and they do price matching)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Accustomed to AMD, but willing to hear out suggestions
OVERCLOCKING: Unlikely
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Either 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 (have not settled on a monitor yet)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Games are an added luxury to this being my work machine, so I don't need or expect to max out the games I listed on ultra settings.