Graphic's card in $170 range

[usbgtx550]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this weekend, most likely today

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming bf3, planet side 2, tf2 etc.

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: EVGA GTS 450, Antec Earthwatts 380W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: intel i3 2100, 4gb g.skill ram, gigabyte h67m micro atc mb,

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: leaning towards ati/amd right now but open to suggestions

OVERCLOCKING: no SLI OR CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x900, in a month or so 1920x1080


Right now I can only afford a graphics card in the 170 range. I have been looking at some 7850's and my main question is would a 2gb version have any significant improvement on a 1gb card. I will upgrade my psu if necessary but I'm sure it can handle it. Justification for this is one of the $500 budget builds utilized my psu and a 6850, and after looking at some charts the 7850 seems to have a lower power draw. Also, would my ram be a bottleneck in any way, would upgrading to 8gb be worth it?

Currently looking at this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161426

 

[usbgtx550]

Thanks, I think I'm going to pull the trigger on this today, probably going to throw in a nice set of 8gb ram with it too.
Also, is HIS a good brand. I'm not too familiar with ati/amd cards

 

[gamerkila57]

HIS is pretty good

this is also a good choice and what i recommend as some newer games out use more than 1GB of VRAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129230

 

[usbgtx550]

I would rather veer away from visiontek. A friend got a card from them with a bad fan.

 

[Ironslice]

I wouldn't get HIS or VisionTek. Go for Sapphire, Gigabyte, ASUS or MSI.

 

[usbgtx550]

I guess I will splurge a little and get this guy then.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-102-999&SortField=1&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

 

[gamerkila57]

nice choice

 

[jdwii]

I guess I will splurge a little and get this guy then.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-102-999&SortField=1&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

Its great at first i was like he has a Antec 380 watt which is a great PSU but i was worried about him using it with a 7850 then i looked and saw that the 7850 uses the same power as a 5770 and that he had a I3 his rig will probably barely use 50% of his PSU when gaming.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/HD_7850_HD_7870/24.html

Oh yeah and a 560TI is not faster then a 7850 on average.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/HD_7850_HD_7870/26.html

 

[Shivago]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this weekend, most likely today

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming bf3, planet side 2, tf2 etc.

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: EVGA GTS 450, Antec Earthwatts 380W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: intel i3 2100, 4gb g.skill ram, gigabyte h67m micro atc mb,

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: leaning towards ati/amd right now but open to suggestions

OVERCLOCKING: no SLI OR CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x900, in a month or so 1920x1080


Right now I can only afford a graphics card in the 170 range. I have been looking at some 7850's and my main question is would a 2gb version have any significant improvement on a 1gb card. I will upgrade my psu if necessary but I'm sure it can handle it. Justification for this is one of the $500 budget builds utilized my psu and a 6850, and after looking at some charts the 7850 seems to have a lower power draw. Also, would my ram be a bottleneck in any way, would upgrading to 8gb be worth it?

Currently looking at this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161426

really its a matter of taste, you either believe in the DH-rule or ya dont, type deal.

I would just like to echo any and all of the GTX 560ti suggestions THE BEST bang for your buck, as long as you are an nVidia fan?

Best of luck and I hope your new cards bring you all the satisfaction mine have for me

As far as RAM goes you CAN NEVER be wrong in upgrading / adding be sure to watch your speeds and make sure they are simpatico with your CPU

ps I would also like to commend you for your detailed request, I am positive I am not alone in appreciating these type of requests /tipHat

 

[usbgtx550]

Best answer selected by usbgtx550.

 

[usbgtx550]

Thanks shivago, I try my best.
Also, thanks for the links jdwii, that was some rather useful information.