Trouble Deciding on Video Card

[jhwd44]

Hey, folks. I'm prepping to play Diablo 3 and trying to figure out the video card that will suit me best. I would like to play at Max settings(if possible with current CPU). I've been looking at the ATI Radeon 6870 or the GTX 560. I'm leaning towards the Radeon 6870, especially with the current sale they have on the XFX models. My computer is a few years old (Dell XPS 420) and I really used it to play WoW in the past and it was sufficient for what I needed at the time. I don't have the resources or desire to build a new PC, so I'm just looking for some advice on just a video card upgrade. I've been looking online relentlessly for specs on whether I have PCI-e x16 or PCI-e 2 and just am unsure(sorry for being a noob). I know the Radeon uses 2.1 and the GTX uses 2.0. I know it wouldn't be a big deal if I had PCI-e 2 slots, but just need to clarify what I do have. Anyways, here are my system specs and a link to the Dell site.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps420/en/OM/HTML/appendix.htm to XPS 420

P.S. I'm also planning on buying a new Power Supply, so just ignore that element as I am aware of the necessity for a more capable PSU. :

Specs:

CPU: Q8200 - Intel Core 2 Quad 2.33GHz
RAM: 8.00GB RAM (DDR2 PC2-6400)
Win 7 64-Bit
PSU: Will be upgraded as current is 375W

Any help and advice for best bang for my buck to play D3 at max(or near-to) would be great. Budget is good enough for Radeon 6870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=Txlzrom4EeGoZx7tkVD5Sg0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16814150521
or the GTX 560. Thanks for your help in advance

 

[striker410]

Hi! Welcome to the forums.

Alright, sounds solid. A 6870 is a better deal that the 560 IMO, although they are quite close.
Try this 6870, as it will vent more air outside of your cramped case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561 $130 after rebate? Not bad.

This PSU will get the job done, without a doubt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Unfortunately you can't (I don't think?) overclock your CPU since you're on an OEM dell system. That's a shame, as a chip that that could shine if you could OC it.

To answer the first question, yes you have a PCI-E x16 2.0 slot. 2.1 is fully backwards compatible with 2.0.

 

[jhwd44]

Hey, Striker. Thanks so much for the reply. That's exactly the answer I was looking for. I've done what research I could and read a TON of reviews on the cards and benchmarks and the 6870 definitely seems like the better option. I saw that post for the card you linked and a lot of people were complaining about noise and wasn't sure how well it would do with just the 1 fan on the card in my case. I did some measuring around and a card that big will definitely be squeezed tight in the case, thus the reason I linked to the dual fan model, which was only $10 more with promo code/rebate.

Indeed it is OEM and OC'ing would be nice, but I'm okay with where it's at. Thanks for the consideration on that element.

Also, thanks for linking to a PSU. I've been watching deals for a few days since I started figuring out the power requirements and what not. I'm not in a hurry, but with the XFX deal it seems like I should go ahead and pull the trigger That's also the reason I was posting to look for a quicker deal. The one I linked to had a 12% off code that seems to have disappeared, but will continue searching.

Any additional thoughts on the differences between the two cards would be appreciated. Thanks so much for the information you've provided.

 

[striker410]

Alright, if you want to go with the dual fan version that's totally cool. I didn't check reviews, my bad. It's a single Axial fan, not the Centrifugal I thought it was. Noob mistake on my part If it was Centrifugal I would insist upon it, as it would vent most of the heat outside the case instead of swirling around inside.

The CX500 is a pretty good deal. Normally I'd suggest a 430w as those are a bit cheaper but you need the dual 6pins on the 500w.

 

[jhwd44]

Heh, thank you again! Your information is invaluable. That is the exact PSU I saw posted elsewhere and looks like a great buy. You've definitely helped me ease my mind and I'm gonna go ahead with the upgrades and enjoy some D3 here in a few weeks Perhaps I'll fire up some WoW just so I can play with higher settings that I couldn't before

Can't thank you enough. Very much appreciated. /bow

 

[jhwd44]

Best answer selected by jhwd44.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey