Graphic card upgrade ($200-$250)

[rex000]

Hello all,

I'm looking to upgrade my graphics cards setup sometime soon and I was wondering what would be the best possible setup for my current PC configuration (see signature).

I currently have an AMD Phenom II X4 955 overclocked to 4.0Ghz on an ASUS SLI motherboard.
I have read that the MOST than the phenom can handle without bottle-necking would be two GTX460s in SLI... so I was hoping to get some confirmation and opinions about this.

The cheapest GTX460 (v2) I can find is this one for $135 - $20MIR...
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=66804&vpn=01G-P3-1363-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1067

Thanks,

 

[2fast4thetown_down]

I would get one good card rather than two mid range cards. i would get a 7000 series or something like the 480, keep in mind that the 480 is super hot so it depends on air flow.

 

[Patflute]

Wait for the Gefoce GTX660.

 

[rex000]

I would get one good card rather than two mid range cards. i would get a 7000 series or something like the 480, keep in mind that the 480 is super hot so it depends on air flow.

I know what you mean..

Within the budget, at most, I can fit in a HD7850, GTX480... GTX570.
Wouldn't GTX460s in SLI be more powerful than any of those?

I don't mind a little extra power consumption.
Heat / noise has a been thoroughly controlled in my case with with Antec Kuhler, as well as six new case fans + fan controller. Airflow is pretty good in my case atm.

 

[rex000]

Wait for the Gefoce GTX660.

Definitely something to watch out for.. I hope the pricing is not too harsh.

I'm just looking to get a perfectly (well, as realistically as possible) balanced rig with CPU/GPU power, within the budget range.

 

[rex000]

Lookee here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-460-sli-geforce-gtx-480,2694.html

 

[maxalge]

Lookee here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-460-sli-geforce-gtx-480,2694.html

From my own experience 2 6850's in CF are equal to a Gtx 580, people usually put the 6850/460 1gb in the same range of performance so it should hold true for the 460's.




BUT it comes at a price:

You need to wait when new games are released for the profiles/drivers. Some people also get "stuttering".


I myself have never seen it, but other people seem to.

To me the downsides are negligible in comparison to the savings: You get gtx 580 performance for cheap.

 

[asianmeat]

I would look into the 7850, amazing card.

 

[rex000]

From my own experience 2 6850's in CF are equal to a Gtx 580, people usually put the 6850/460 1gb in the same range of performance so it should hold true for the 460's.




BUT it comes at a price:

You need to wait when new games are released for the profiles/drivers. Some people also get "stuttering".


I myself have never seen it, but other people seem to.

To me the downsides are negligible in comparison to the savings: You get gtx 580 performance for cheap.

Yes, I agree completely. That is exactly why I decided to buy an SLI (x8/x8) motherboard in the first place. I think it would be a waste not to use the feature. The benefits of having 2 mid-range cards, which parallel the performance of a high-end card, but for a fraction of the cost (I think I'd be saving about $100 since GTX580s can be as low as $330) .

http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=67644&vpn=58NLH5DI5TXX&manufacture=Galaxy%20Technology&promoid=1027

Actually, NCIX just had a sale where the EVGA GTX670 FTW was like $340 making ^ not a good deal at all.


Just to re-iterate the cons to SLI which you've already mentioned:
- Heat/Noise
- Power Consumption
- Driver profile updates
- "Micro-stuttering" ... or not.
* Did I miss anything?

Is that worth $100 in savings? I think I can deal with it.

Does anyone know where I can buy GTX460s for even cheaper? ><"
I'd be extremely grateful if someone would help a fellow forum-er!

 

[rex000]

Best answer selected by rex000.