GTX 550ti or RADEON HD 6770

[rohitsyte]

Hi all,

I am planning to purchase a GPU this Christmas and here are my specs:

Intel dual core E5300 @ 2.6 GHz
2 GB RAM
160 GB HDD
and a 15inch monitor on which I can go to a maximum resolution of 1280x1024

I want to be able to play all the latest and the best games at 1280x1024 resolution and where graphics are clear and the gameplay is smooth. I have a very tight budget and there are two choices for me: Nvidia GTX 550ti or a RADEON HD 6770. I want to get a GPU primarily for playing games..

Based on my specs and resolution, kindly suggest me which one of these to choose or if there is any better alternative please let me know..

My budget is $150

Thanks,
Roohit.

 

[dudewitbow]

at a 150$ budget, you can get a HD 7770 or a HD 6850, the former being the most effecient power wise and will cause the least trouble to your psu, which you havent told us what your psu is.

 

[dingo07]

you need more than 2GB RAM

 

[4745454b]

Yup. 7770.

 

[rohitsyte]

Thank you guys for your replies. but in the place I live the costs are a bit higher, I am from India and here 7770 costs about $190
My current PSU is 450W with 19Amps on the +12V Rail, please tell me whether it can handle the 7770 or I need to purchase a new PSU
I can purchase a GPU and PSU with an overall budget of $200.
I forgot to mention my motherboard is DG31PR, will the 7770 fit into this board?

 

[Youngmind]

Your PSU should be able to handle it and as long as your mobo has a PCIe slot, it will fit.

 

[4745454b]

A choice between only those two, I'd try to get the 6770 as it's faster. Not faster enough that I'd buy it if it's more expensive. So basically get the cheaper of the two.

 

[rohitsyte]

My MOBO has a PCIe 2.0 slot and 19 AMPS on +12V Rail are enough for the processor, MOBO and the GPU with hd 7770? Please reply

 

[4745454b]

7770 will use around 8A, same for the OC'd CPU you have. This is 16A Already. You'll be pushing it assuming your PSU can really put out 19A.

 

[rohitsyte]

7770 will use around 8A, same for the OC'd CPU you have. This is 16A Already. You'll be pushing it assuming your PSU can really put out 19A.

I have no OC'd the CPU. All the components are running at their stock levels and I don't want to overclock because of the temperatures that I have in my place, I will be burning my PC down very soon if I overclock.

With my current setup, with all the components( DG31PR mobo, Dual Core E5300 CPU @ 2.6 Ghz and a 450W PSU which definitely gives +19A on the +12V rail (it is a trusted local brand)) If 7770 is better for my resolution and my specs, then will I be able to install a 7770 on the mobo and will my PSU be able to handle it? If not, kindly suggest me a good GPU for my specs and resolution in which I can play all the latest games. I do not want to max out every game that is out there, I just want the graphics to be clear and the game play to be smooth without any lag... Please suggest..

 

[arzbhatia]

Your motherboard/processor won't be able to fully consume any of the video card's power. Not even the GTX 550 Ti. You'll probably need a new system for full use.

 

[rohitsyte]

Your motherboard/processor won't be able to fully consume any of the video card's power. Not even the GTX 550 Ti. You'll probably need a new system for full use.

If neither of the two cards that I mentioned 550ti or 6770 will not be suitable for my current set up can you suggest me a good GPU for my build?

 

[arzbhatia]

If neither of the two cards that I mentioned 550ti or 6770 will not be suitable for my current set up can you suggest me a good GPU for my build?

okay, just tell me what all games you play?

 

[rohitsyte]

okay, just tell me what all games you play?

I would like to play all the latest games like crysis 2, battlefield 3, skryim etc.., and also upcoming games in the next 1 or 2 years. My resolution is going to remain the same 1280x1024. I have no plans for changing my build anytime soon...

 

[arzbhatia]

I would like to play all the latest games like crysis 2, battlefield 3, skryim etc.., and also upcoming games in the next 1 or 2 years. My resolution is going to remain the same 1280x1024. I have no plans for changing my build anytime soon...

oh! then go for the GTX 550 Ti if you're gonna run it at that resolution! take mine, I have an extra ZOTAC GTX 550 Ti 1GB DDR5 that I'm willing to sell.

 

[4745454b]

I thought you had an OC'd CPU. Must be thinking of wrong thread. 5200 is a 65W CPU? So thats (65/12) 5.xW. You are probably looking at around 16A. That's with the 7770, the GTX550TI will use more power.

 

[rohitsyte]

I thought you had an OC'd CPU. Must be thinking of wrong thread. 5200 is a 65W CPU? So thats (65/12) 5.xW. You are probably looking at around 16A. That's with the 7770, the GTX550TI will use more power.

I have a 5300 CPU that is a 65W (around 5A for it) and the mobo DG31PR, I don't know how much power it draws from the PSU, but assuming it draws around 5A, I'll be left with 9A for the GPU (7770). Will it be good enough for it? And will I be able to play the latest games at my resolution 1280x1024 at medium to med-high settings with this card?

 

[arzbhatia]

I have a DG33FB, Core 2 Duo 2.33Ghz. it handles the GTX 550 Ti fairly well. Go get it.

 

[rohitsyte]

I have a DG33FB, Core 2 Duo 2.33Ghz. it handles the GTX 550 Ti fairly well. Go get it.

You are suggesting a 550ti and I have also been suggested a 7770, but which one is better? Will my PSU be able to handle any of these cards? And one more thing, I know this question has been asked many times and still is unanswered, which one would be better AMD or NVIDIA. I have no personal preference, I just want the best performance out of my GPU on my rig.

 

[arzbhatia]

You are suggesting a 550ti and I have also been suggested a 7770, but which one is better? Will my PSU be able to handle any of these cards? And one more thing, I know this question has been asked many times and still is unanswered, which one would be better AMD or NVIDIA. I have no personal preference, I just want the best performance out of my GPU on my rig.

I'd go for the GTX 550 Ti. Your PSU (Being 450w) will be able to handle it. I used to run my computer (250w) with the GTX 550 Ti. Worked well, but had random shutdowns after about 2 hours of gaming which is fine. 450, I don't think will be a problem.

Comparison -
http://www.hwcompare.com/11894/geforce-gtx-550-ti-vs-radeon-hd-7770/

 

[rohitsyte]

I'd go for the GTX 550 Ti. Your PSU (Being 450w) will be able to handle it. I used to run my computer (250w) with the GTX 550 Ti. Worked well, but had random shutdowns after about 2 hours of gaming which is fine. 450, I don't think will be a problem.

Comparison -
http://www.hwcompare.com/11894/geforce-gtx-550-ti-vs-radeon-hd-7770/

I just have a reading of 19A on the +12V rail, but nvidia recommends a minimum of 24A on the 12V rail for the 550ti. So is it safe to run with my current configuration? You said that you were able to run it at 250W, can you tell me more about your system specs and the max output of your PSU at +12V rail?
And should I prefer nvidia over AMD for my resolution?

 

[arzbhatia]

I don't know anything about my previous PSU, just know that it was 250w. It cheap as ***, about $30 or so. All I know is, it worked.

But yeah,
I recommend you get a nice PSU first

 

[arzbhatia]

(Sorry for DP.)

Just to be on the safer side, that is.

 

[rohitsyte]

(Sorry for DP.)

Just to be on the safer side, that is.

Any other suggestions apart from 550ti?? I heard that nvidia cards draw a lot of power and compared to a AMD give less performance.. please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[4745454b]

7770 is faster then the GTX550TI. Between those cards I would get the 7770. Not only is it faster, but it uses less power and emits less heat. 7770 is better.

As mentioned the GTX550TI and 6770 are similar in performance. So buy the cheaper one.