HD 6870 blows the gtx 550ti in every way.becoz of 1366x768 u r not understanding the difference.u can try www.hwcompare.com and compare those cards,there u will see the difference.even amd 7750 able to defeat gtx550ti.nvidia gtx 550ti is like dust to radeon 6870.if u upgrade ur monitor,then 6870 is important