Which Nvidia GPU would you buy?

[turboshine]

I was an Nvidia fan for years, but three years ago I built a system and threw in an XFX-5850. I have been happy with it, but now another new system is sitting in my house that needs a new video card (because I sold my old system).

What scares me is all the posts I am reading about the issues with the GTX 670's, which is primarily what I was looking to buy. I've had good luck in the past with EVGA but it seems the quality isn't what it used to be. I am seriously thinking about the Asus GTX670-DC2 right now but wanted to hear a few opinions.

I mostly play BF3 and Microsoft Flight Simulator X. FSX benefits more from Nvidia drivers and I can use Nvidia Inspector which is why I am leaning towards this. The GTX 680 is too expensive and I worry that I wont be able to crank BF3 up to Ultra @ 1900x1080 if I go with the 660ti.

I have a i7 3770k on an Asus P8Z77-V with 8 GB of Corsair DDR3-1600 and a Corsair HX-650 PSU. No plans to SLI...just looking for a solid single GPU solution. Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[bigcyco1]

I have two msi 670 pe i have no issues and like them very much evga 670 ftw is great as well

 

[computernoob29]

The msi gtx 670 would be good, or you could get a amd 7970 ghz edition or normal edition.

 

[alvine]

if you have issues with the card you can always return it

 

[turboshine]

Thanks for quick responses! What do you guys think of these companies no longer offering a longer warranty period? My 5850 and 8800 GTS both had lifetime warranties which is why I chose them. The EVGA 8800 GTS failed after two and a half years and they sent me a refurb card which worked until I sold the system.

It makes me wonder if the MTBF is reduced now due to cost cutting. Some of the GTX 570's I have seen on Newegg still have the Lifetime Warranties available.

 

[DarkSable]

I have the EVGA 670 FTW - I was a bit nervous when I bought it because I didn't know the company, but I've had no problems with the card, and have heard a lot of good things about their warranty.

 

[17seconds]

I doubt that any company has a current, consistently reproduced issue with any of their cards. Any issues with cards around their initial release have been sorted out and corrected by now.

In terms of quality, there are standard reference quality components and then there are those cards with upgraded components. All manufacturers are required to meet at least the reference standard. If you have a question of quality, go for the EVGA Signature or FTW series, or the non-reference Asus, MSI, Zotac, or Galaxy brands.

 

[turboshine]

Thanks Matto. The Asus card I was looking at (GTX670-DC2-2GD5) was discontinued after only four months of production. Now I am looking at an ASUS GTX670-DC2 but don't want to get stuck in RMA hell. Kind of leaning towards AMD again after reading all the problems people are still having with the 670s.

 

[17seconds]

I've had a good experience with the Asus RMA process for video cards, so I can definitely recommend them. I have to say, I'm not aware of the problems you are mentioning with the 670's.

 

[bigcyco1]

what problems are the 670's having?I am not having issues but i would like to look into this if you know something please share info

 

[nforce4max]

Don't buy the reference models, go with MSI or Asus that has a custom design and one that doesn't use the standard ferrite R22 rated inductors. If you get a custom model then the problems will only be software and architecture related. Kepler in general is far from perfect but it still plays the games.

 

[nforce4max]

I've had a good experience with the Asus RMA process for video cards, so I can definitely recommend them. I have to say, I'm not aware of the problems you are mentioning with the 670's.

Mainly some coil squeal, crashing, and general stability. Sometimes lack of any decent overclocking such as being limited to as little as 30mhz over the stock like the 680.

 

[turboshine]

I just pulled the trigger on this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150605

Too many complaints about the 670's and even the 660 ti's after three or four months of use. As much as I wanted to go back to Nvidia, price and a lifetime warranty won me over.

My AMD 5850 that I've had for three years never failed...my last Nvidia card did fail. Thanks for all the advice...time will tell if I made the right decision.

 

[nforce4max]

Oh that isn't a good 7870, it uses the ferrite sheilded inductors. Not only do they buzz but they often short out. MSI, Asus, and sometimes Gigabyte are the safe brands. Also you can remove the cooler without voiding the warranty unlike XFX.

 

[17seconds]

I just pulled the trigger on this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150605

Too many complaints about the 670's and even the 660 ti's after three or four months of use. As much as I wanted to go back to Nvidia, price and a lifetime warranty won me over.

My AMD 5850 that I've had for three years never failed...my last Nvidia card did fail. Thanks for all the advice...time will tell if I made the right decision.

$240's not bad, but it's a significant step down from a 670 and even a 660 Ti in BF3.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/nvidia_gtx_660ti_roundup_asus_msi_galaxy/9.htm

 

[turboshine]

Would a 660ti handle BF3 at 1920x1080 Ultra settings with AA and AF ?

 

[17seconds]

Would a 660ti handle BF3 at 1920x1080 Ultra settings with AA and AF ?

60 fps at stock and 70 overclocked.
The 7870 is around 48 fps at stock and 52 when overclocked to 1240 mhz.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/nvidia_gtx_660ti_roundup_asus_msi_galaxy/9.htm