What card should I get?

[Wasteblade]

A month ago, I had purchased this card

(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130833)

I wanted to return it since it's having issues with artifacting and other problems with running games smoothly, but I don't know what I should buy. I do want to stick with nVidia and probably a 680 GTX, but I don't want to spend money on a card that won't be worth switching for. My window for cash I can spend is around $500. The cards I was looking at were:

(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125437)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127693)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162097)

but I don't know which one is best. I will probably stick with the MSI since I have had very good experiences with their cards and they overclock well and have good cooling. However, would you suggest another card? Really would like to hear any suggestions.

 

[simmons33]

Ever thought of getting another GTX 660 from another Manufacturer? Mines an MSI and no issues yet. 680 will of course be boost to your 660 if you have the money (And you do) I personally like the ASUS and MSI 680's

I've never seen that Gigabyte card before so its suspect at best IMO

 

[Wasteblade]

Ever thought of getting another GTX 660 from another Manufacturer? Mines an MSI and no issues yet. 680 will of course be boost to your 660 if you have the money (And you do) I personally like the ASUS and MSI 680's

I've never seen that Gigabyte card before so its suspect at best IMO

I was thinking that as well, but I think since I have the money, I might just RMA this one for a refund (I have RMA'd before and it was doing the same things) and use it towards a more expensive card. I was also thinking about Dual SLI, considering the fact that two 660's are equal or less than one 680, but I don't know the difference in performance when it comes to those. On the other hand, I could get a 680 and when the prices drop on those, pick up another one and SLI that instead.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Dual GTX660s will actually outperform a GTX680 by miles. That said, I'd go with a GTX670 and add a second in a year or so down the line (when prices have dropped) if you're needing more performance. GTX680 has ~6% gain over a GTX670 on average (nothing you'd actually be able to see). GTX670 will outperform a GTX660 by around 30% typically. A second GTX660 (a second anything infact) will generally add around 80% to your framerates, though varies widely by game (from 0% to 100%!).

 

[Sumukh_Bhagat]

Dual GTX660s will actually outperform a GTX680 by miles. That said, I'd go with a GTX670 and add a second in a year or so down the line (when prices have dropped) if you're needing more performance. GTX680 has ~6% gain over a GTX670 on average (nothing you'd actually be able to see). GTX670 will outperform a GTX660 by around 30% typically. A second GTX660 (a second anything infact) will generally add around 80% to your framerates, though varies widely by game (from 0% to 100%!).

+1
Very true...