Update 8/16/2012 5pm:
So I went with the 670 - specifically the MSI 670 PE. Here's why:
- The 660Ti is bandwidth constrained at 2560x1600 (and presumably 2560x1440). Looking at the Tom's review, many of the games see significant drops at that point. I have a display that can push that resolution, and I want to take advantage of it. The 670 doesn't suffer from this problem.
- The EVGA cards look OK and seem to be popular, but I just can't get past that blower style cooler. Everything I've read says it tends to run hotter and louder; I can't see myself being happy with that level of noise. It's part of what I'm trying to escape.
- The MSI PE is pre-overclocked. This means that I'll have no warranty concerns yet get the advantage of the higher speeds. I can still push the memory clock if I want.
Many thanks to TheBigTroll, geofelt, seyalan, wildpluckings, verbalizer, timbo1130 (if only I didn't hate TD!), and mace200200.
----------------------
Looking to replace my Gigabyte GTX 560 Ti in the near future - has an annoying failed ball bearing in a fan, as well as slightly poor performance at 2560x1440 and can only support 2 monitors at once.
A big part of the question is my primary app - dualboxing WoW at decent settings (one at 2560x1440, ideally; both with high or ultra). Is NVidia or ATI better here? I think Nvidia is usually better for WoW - but ATI has more RAM on some models, and ATI does better at the 2560x1440 resolution in some cases, from what I've read).
I like NVidia generally due to better drivers (though this may be an old perception), NVidia 3DTVPlay (I have a 3D TV, but seldom if ever use 3D), and PhysX (Borderlands 2 has enhanced PhysX support from what I've heard, and it was awesome in Arkham Asylum).
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week - ideally thursday or friday so I have it this weekend.
BUDGET RANGE: $280 - $450 after rebates (might be able to go slightly higher for good reason)
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: WoW (dualboxing or single WoW and web video or web surfing on the other screen), CS:GO, Borderlands 2, Torchlight 2, Diablo III. I'd like support for 3 or 4 monitors. NVidia 3DTVPlay for my TV is a nice to have.
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: Gigabyte Geforce GTX 560 Ti (with annoying fan issue - it's under warranty, but I'd like to upgrade and pass the fixed card to a family member). Thermaltake 750W modular power supply with up to 4 PCI-E cords (can get exact specs later)
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: i7-2600K - watercooled with minor overclock, Gigabyte Z68 MicroATX MoBo, 16 GB RAM. Video card will use it's own cooling solution.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon drastically preferred, but I'm not against switching to Newegg if there is a very good reason
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: I want support for 3 or 4 monitors. NVidia 3DTVPlay for my TV is a nice to have. Enhanced PhysX would be nice, too. Still, if I can get substantially better performance with ATI for what I use it for, the nice-to-haves can be ignored.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not now, maybe in the future
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1x Auria EW276W at 2560x1440, 1x Samsung at 1920x1080 (might upgrade to a second Auria)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would prefer longer warranties and non-reference cooling; WoW dualboxing should be with reasonably high settings; I like Gigabyte but haven't had great luck with them as of late, so I'm open to suggestions. Fans can be a bit louder, but can't have ball bearings that get shot a week after purchase. I like factory overclocks as I'm a bit lazy.
CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING:
Geforce GTX 660 Ti - ~$300
(Comes out tomorrow supposedly, estimated $300 price point is nice, but I'm concerned how big the drop between the 670 and it will be).
No idea on brands/models.
Geforce GTX 670 - ~$410
Examples:
GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 Windforce OC 2048MB GDDR5 256-bit
http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GV-N670OC-2GD-GeForce-Windforce-Graphics/dp/B0080I06WQ/ref=sr_1_2
MSI N670 PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB - $430 amazon, $404AR newegg - 3/2yr warranty, nice factory OC, twin frozr IV cooler - theBigTroll recommended MSI
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-N670-2GD5/dp/B008BGXYAS/ref=sr_1_2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127685
EVGA GeForce GTX670 FTW 2048MB - $399 newegg, $410 amazon - 3yr warranty (thanks Timbo!), nice factory OC, single fan non-ref cooler - geofelt recommends
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Dual-Link-DisplayPort-Graphics-02G-P4-2678-KR/dp/B0083Y6MV6/ref=sr_1_1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787
Geforce GTX 570 - ~$270
Examples:
MSI N570GTX TWIN FROZR II NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 1280MB
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-N570GTX-TWIN-FROZR-PCI-Express/dp/B008809SUM/ref=sr_1_12
EVGA GeForce GTX 570 Superclocked 1280 MB GDDR5
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Mini-HDMI-Lifetime-012-P3-1572-AR/dp/B004EYSMGW/ref=sr_1_2
XFX FX797ATDBC Double D HD 7970 Black Edition 3GB DDR5 1000M
http://www.amazon.com/XFX-FX797ATDBC-Double-Black-Graphics/dp/B006W3ZU4U/ref=sr_1_2
AMD Radeon HD 7970 - ~$430
Example:
Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7970 OC 3GB GDDR5
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Radeon-Mini-Displayport-Graphics-GV-R797OC-3GD/dp/B00752QYLK/ref=sr_1_4
AMD Radeon HD 7950 - ~$350
Examples:
Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Mini-Displayport-PCI-Express-Graphic-GV-R795WF3-3GD/dp/B007581QHG/ref=sr_1_1
MSI AMD Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-R7950-TWIN-FROZR-3GD5/dp/B007NG3WR2/ref=sr_1_3
AMD Radeon HD 7870 Ghz Edition - ~$280
Example:
Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHZ OC 2 GB
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-GDDR5-Graphics-11199-03-20G/dp/B007JCNOY6/ref=sr_1_1
So I went with the 670 - specifically the MSI 670 PE. Here's why:
- The 660Ti is bandwidth constrained at 2560x1600 (and presumably 2560x1440). Looking at the Tom's review, many of the games see significant drops at that point. I have a display that can push that resolution, and I want to take advantage of it. The 670 doesn't suffer from this problem.
- The EVGA cards look OK and seem to be popular, but I just can't get past that blower style cooler. Everything I've read says it tends to run hotter and louder; I can't see myself being happy with that level of noise. It's part of what I'm trying to escape.
- The MSI PE is pre-overclocked. This means that I'll have no warranty concerns yet get the advantage of the higher speeds. I can still push the memory clock if I want.
Many thanks to TheBigTroll, geofelt, seyalan, wildpluckings, verbalizer, timbo1130 (if only I didn't hate TD!), and mace200200.
----------------------
Looking to replace my Gigabyte GTX 560 Ti in the near future - has an annoying failed ball bearing in a fan, as well as slightly poor performance at 2560x1440 and can only support 2 monitors at once.
A big part of the question is my primary app - dualboxing WoW at decent settings (one at 2560x1440, ideally; both with high or ultra). Is NVidia or ATI better here? I think Nvidia is usually better for WoW - but ATI has more RAM on some models, and ATI does better at the 2560x1440 resolution in some cases, from what I've read).
I like NVidia generally due to better drivers (though this may be an old perception), NVidia 3DTVPlay (I have a 3D TV, but seldom if ever use 3D), and PhysX (Borderlands 2 has enhanced PhysX support from what I've heard, and it was awesome in Arkham Asylum).
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week - ideally thursday or friday so I have it this weekend.
BUDGET RANGE: $280 - $450 after rebates (might be able to go slightly higher for good reason)
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: WoW (dualboxing or single WoW and web video or web surfing on the other screen), CS:GO, Borderlands 2, Torchlight 2, Diablo III. I'd like support for 3 or 4 monitors. NVidia 3DTVPlay for my TV is a nice to have.
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: Gigabyte Geforce GTX 560 Ti (with annoying fan issue - it's under warranty, but I'd like to upgrade and pass the fixed card to a family member). Thermaltake 750W modular power supply with up to 4 PCI-E cords (can get exact specs later)
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: i7-2600K - watercooled with minor overclock, Gigabyte Z68 MicroATX MoBo, 16 GB RAM. Video card will use it's own cooling solution.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon drastically preferred, but I'm not against switching to Newegg if there is a very good reason
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: I want support for 3 or 4 monitors. NVidia 3DTVPlay for my TV is a nice to have. Enhanced PhysX would be nice, too. Still, if I can get substantially better performance with ATI for what I use it for, the nice-to-haves can be ignored.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not now, maybe in the future
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1x Auria EW276W at 2560x1440, 1x Samsung at 1920x1080 (might upgrade to a second Auria)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would prefer longer warranties and non-reference cooling; WoW dualboxing should be with reasonably high settings; I like Gigabyte but haven't had great luck with them as of late, so I'm open to suggestions. Fans can be a bit louder, but can't have ball bearings that get shot a week after purchase. I like factory overclocks as I'm a bit lazy.
CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING:
Geforce GTX 660 Ti - ~$300
(Comes out tomorrow supposedly, estimated $300 price point is nice, but I'm concerned how big the drop between the 670 and it will be).
No idea on brands/models.
Geforce GTX 670 - ~$410
Examples:
GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 Windforce OC 2048MB GDDR5 256-bit
http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GV-N670OC-2GD-GeForce-Windforce-Graphics/dp/B0080I06WQ/ref=sr_1_2
MSI N670 PE 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 670 2GB - $430 amazon, $404AR newegg - 3/2yr warranty, nice factory OC, twin frozr IV cooler - theBigTroll recommended MSI
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-N670-2GD5/dp/B008BGXYAS/ref=sr_1_2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127685
EVGA GeForce GTX670 FTW 2048MB - $399 newegg, $410 amazon - 3yr warranty (thanks Timbo!), nice factory OC, single fan non-ref cooler - geofelt recommends
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Dual-Link-DisplayPort-Graphics-02G-P4-2678-KR/dp/B0083Y6MV6/ref=sr_1_1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787
Geforce GTX 570 - ~$270
Examples:
MSI N570GTX TWIN FROZR II NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 1280MB
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-N570GTX-TWIN-FROZR-PCI-Express/dp/B008809SUM/ref=sr_1_12
EVGA GeForce GTX 570 Superclocked 1280 MB GDDR5
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Mini-HDMI-Lifetime-012-P3-1572-AR/dp/B004EYSMGW/ref=sr_1_2
XFX FX797ATDBC Double D HD 7970 Black Edition 3GB DDR5 1000M
http://www.amazon.com/XFX-FX797ATDBC-Double-Black-Graphics/dp/B006W3ZU4U/ref=sr_1_2
AMD Radeon HD 7970 - ~$430
Example:
Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7970 OC 3GB GDDR5
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Radeon-Mini-Displayport-Graphics-GV-R797OC-3GD/dp/B00752QYLK/ref=sr_1_4
AMD Radeon HD 7950 - ~$350
Examples:
Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Mini-Displayport-PCI-Express-Graphic-GV-R795WF3-3GD/dp/B007581QHG/ref=sr_1_1
MSI AMD Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-R7950-TWIN-FROZR-3GD5/dp/B007NG3WR2/ref=sr_1_3
AMD Radeon HD 7870 Ghz Edition - ~$280
Example:
Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHZ OC 2 GB
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-GDDR5-Graphics-11199-03-20G/dp/B007JCNOY6/ref=sr_1_1