Need help with GPU

jevano

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Jun 7, 2012
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There are so many video cards out there on the market today and its hard finding the right one for my needs so i need help
I have $200 or less to spend and i want a GPU that:
1. Can play games like BB3 decently (I know it wont be super but just decently)
2. Has a good power usage(no sense in getting a low range GPU that pulls 200w)
 

vilenjan

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Aug 22, 2010
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Your choices under $200 are with a Nvidia 560 GTX or an AMD 6870. Both are very comparable when it comes to performance and power usage (AMD is a tab bit less power). You will have to spend around $250 for the current king of efficient mainstream, the 7850, it outperforms both the 560GTX and the 6870 by a descent margin while using a lot less power.
 
^ Perhaps if I changed my Avatar back to the Spitfire I could type a little faster?
Please supply some system details: CPU, OS, case type and the Amperage on the +12v rail/s of the powersupply as well as its make and model number and the resolution of your display.
Right now $200 (I'll assume U.S.) gets you a lot of card, certainly enough for BF3 with some eye candy turned on, even at 1080 resolution.
 

jevano

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Jun 7, 2012
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Intel celeron E3300, case i think is a mid tower ATX, Windows 7 x64, RAM 4G, 500W PSU will upgrade to a SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W, also thinking of updating processor to quad core
 

vilenjan

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celeron 3300 at stock speeds will bottleneck anything faster than 6850 or 560SE and since the 560SE is a severely crippled 560ti, I would grab the 6850.

If you are gonna upgrade the cpu, yo will have to shop ebay for used parts, the 775 platform is effectively dead.
 
I'd suggest you look to the HD6850 one with a factory overclock like this gets close to the 6870 for performance but is less cash.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161363

Then put the saved money into a better CPU cooler and overclock the upgraded processor ;)

Be aware, the motherboard may need an updated BIOS to support the Quad, so check the makers website to ensure compatability before making the purchase.