Which graphics card should I buy?

[costcosaurus]

I would like to buy a new video card for my system. I currently own a Radeon HD 3850 and it is time for an upgrade.

Here are the games I play nowadays:

Borderlands 2 (Will be playing this in a couple days.)
Guild Wars 2
Super MNC
Left 4 Dead 2
Battlefield 3

I basically need a new graphics card that can at least handle Battlefield 3 with no problems at all. Suggestions?

 

[Deemo13]

Well, it depends on a few things:

1) Budget
2) Specs
3) Power supply.

 

[costcosaurus]

Well, it depends on a few things:

1) Budget
2) Specs
3) Power supply.

Budget: Up to $300 is fine.
Specs: I would have to look up my parts for this, but it is a very recent build from around 3 months ago.
Power Supply: 850W

 

[Deemo13]

I'm taking your word that the power supply is of good quality (Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, etc.)

And if its a very recent build, I take it that you used decently powerful parts as well.

AT $300, I would recommend the GTX660Ti, or the Radeon HD7950.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102989

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125441

Things to consider:

Both come with free games. One comes with Sleeping Dogs, and one comes with Borderlands 2.

The Radeon is going to be better in terms of non-gaming performance such as 3d video rendering and whatever.

If those cards are pushing the bill, you can take a look at the 7870 or the GTX660.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125443

The 7870 comes with Sleeping Dogs and it is expected to have a price-drop in a few weeks to $240.

 

[costcosaurus]

Do you know how long until the Sleeping Dogs promotion ends? I may be interested in the 7870 with the promotion and the price drop of the video card.

 

[Deemo13]

That's a good question. Seeing as the 6xxx Radeon series has been selling with Dirt 3 for a long darn time.

 

[costcosaurus]

That's a good question. Seeing as the 6xxx Radeon series has been selling with Dirt 3 for a long darn time.

At least that gives me a hint.

Thank you for all your help. Once I get enough money, I'll buy the 7870.

 

[Sunius]

If you're looking into gaming Borderlands 2, you'll really want physx.. I'd get GTX 660 over HD 7870!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWFkDrKvBRU

 

[costcosaurus]

If you're looking into gaming Borderlands 2, you'll really want physx.. I'd get GTX 660 over HD 7870!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWFkDrKvBRU

I must agree, there is definitely a noticeable difference for Borderlands 2.

Which card is the better bang for my buck, the 660 Ti or the regular 660?

 

[Deemo13]

That is very true, I totally forgot about that.

If you have Borderlands 2 already, the 660 should be fine. But if you haven't bought Borderlands 2, then you can get the 660Ti, which comes with Borderlands 2.

 

[costcosaurus]

That is very true, I totally forgot about that.

If you have Borderlands 2 already, the 660 should be fine. But if you haven't bought Borderlands 2, then you can get the 660Ti, which comes with Borderlands 2.

Since there's not much of a price difference between the 660 and the 660 Ti, I'm just going to go for the 660 Ti, even if I already have Borderlands 2. I could just sell the extra copy elsewhere.

 

[Deemo13]

Man, I need to get myself a copy of that somehow.

 

[costcosaurus]

I've come to the realization that maybe the 660 Ti at it's price range right now isn't worth it. Is this true?

 

[Deemo13]

It's really up to the user. If you are JUST gaming, its a great choice. But if you are planning to do any sort of video editing and rendering or whatever, the 79xx series is better suited for the job.

 

[costcosaurus]

It's really up to the user. If you are JUST gaming, its a great choice. But if you are planning to do any sort of video editing and rendering or whatever, the 79xx series is better suited for the job.

It's just going to be used for gaming, but someone told me the 660 is more worth its price than the 660Ti is worth its price.

I'm not sure which one to go for.

 

[Sunius]

GTX 660 has better performance/price ratio, but GTX 660 Ti is faster. And if you can sell borderlands 2 from GTX 660 Ti, you'll save a lot of money.

Personally I'd go for GTX 660 though. It looks more solid than GTX 660 Ti. Part of the reason for that is because it performs better than GTX 660 Ti on very high AA:

 

[Deemo13]

If you sell that Borderlands 2 for under the list price, I would consider buying it lol.