What GPU(s) for 120 hz monitor?

[jason5757]

Im looking to get a new monitor and GPU with some of my tax return. Right now, im looking at this monitor and probably this GPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009300&Tpk=HN274H%20BMIIID
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150605

I really dont care as much about the 3D, but do want silky smooth graphics. I play games like WoW, Farcry 3 and simcity 5 (when it comes out).

Would one of these GPUs be enough to do well at 120hz?


i7 920
6GB ram

 

[jstanley11]

I'd reccomend two GTX 670's (the Gigabyte ones are nice and compact, perfect for SLI). They tend to have lower power draw and temps than AMD's offerings (which are quite good, but the 7970 can get loud and hot in SLI). That's just my two cents. If you can afford it, a 690 would be a solid choice as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423

I personally have that card, and would highly reccomend it. What PSU do you have btw?

 

[legendkiller]

670 is a more ideal choice especially 3 in SLI it'll over power a single 690 for same price or cheaper...

 

[Scott_D_Bowen]

Pretty much any GPU, the RAMDAC, etc. on almost any card can handle 120Hz so long as the monitor can.
- Even very cheap or integrated ones.

 

[excella1221]

The 7870 will be good, it can max out 2 out of those 3 games. I won't comment on SimCity 5 yet since it's not out, but it should do pretty well.

 

[jstanley11]

You think that a single 7870 can run Far Cry 3 at 120 fps?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/far-cry-3-performance-benchmark,3379-6.html

2 7870's can't even run the game at 60 fps...

You would need to 670's and less MSAA to get Far Cry 3 at 120 fps in Ultra. Maybe 3 670's would do it.

 

[sitbar]

get a 7950 xfire or 670 sli.
With the latest drivers, the amd cards are beating nvidia. But either way, you can't go wrong.

 

[iceclock]

whats ur budget for a newcard and ur country of origin.

 

[djangoringo]

A single 7970 if your prefer amd will do, or a 670 gtx from nvidia, both can deliver good fps amount for 1080p, the 7970 being better on far cry 3.

 

[jessterman21]

You should probably save your cash because the HD 7870 can deliver 60fps pretty consistently in almost all games on Ultra without MSAA, but nowhere near 120fps. Some games are capped at 100fps.

Get a good 24" monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009292
and a GTX 670 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125438
and you'll be happier with your purchases. Plus, smooth 60fps + Adaptive Vsync goodness in all games.

 

[iceclock]

id recommand this instead witch is 3d and higher quality

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236304

and this videocard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127708

cheers.

 

[excella1221]

You think that a single 7870 can run Far Cry 3 at 120 fps?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/far-cry-3-performance-benchmark,3379-6.html

2 7870's can't even run the game at 60 fps...

You would need to 670's and less MSAA to get Far Cry 3 at 120 fps in Ultra. Maybe 3 670's would do it.

The sooner you realize I didn't say you could reach 120fps and that you don't need 120fps to max out a game, and that that benchmark applied 4x MSAA, the better.

You don't always NEED to reach 120fps to get smooth gameplay from a 120Hz monitor. The frequency is for the fluidity.

Though if OP can up his budget, a better video card would always be better.

 

[iceclock]

yes thats why i recommanded 660ti 3gb and a 120hz 3d ready monitor. also most games on high ull be lucky to hit 60fps, but 120hz is def smooth and more future ready for future 3d enabled games.

 

[jason5757]

I dont need 120 hz in every game on ultra settings. Let me ask my question a bit differently; in this situation, is it better to have 2 cards in sli/crossfire or spend more on a higher end card?

 

[excella1221]

It's always better to get the best single GPU your budget can afford, then you can just add another of it on SLI/Crossfire in the future if ever you feel the need for more fps.

 

[legendkiller]

Dual GTx 690 is the ultimate gaming video card... or you can try to get the limited edition of ARES 2 from ASUS

 

[jessterman21]

It's always better to get the best single GPU your budget can afford, then you can just add another of it on SLI/Crossfire in the future if ever you feel the need for more fps.

+1, although by the time you'd need another card, there will be newer architectures, more VRAM, and much more power at the same price point. Case in point, for the people who bought an HD 5870 3 years ago, it's now just a little too weak to comfortably play the newest games, and now an HD 7970 can be had for the same price as they paid back then, but with 3x the VRAM, over twice the gaming prowess, and an architecture much better suited to the newest games. CrossfireX would limit you to that out-of-date architecture (I know, I've got the same), 1GB VRAM (which just isn't enough anymore), and relying on AMD for proper CrossfireX support in all your games (which just isn't as solid as it should be). Not to mention double the power-draw and heat.

 

[iceclock]

better to get lets say a gtx 660ti or the 7950 3gb and the monitor i suggested versus 2x660s. overall its a cheaper and smarter alternative.

 

[Mousemonkey]

It's always better to get the best single GPU your budget can afford, then you can just add another of it on SLI/Crossfire in the future if ever you feel the need for more fps.

And then you find that you can't get another card because they've been discontinued and the second hand one that you buy from fleabay doesn't work because the previous owner OC'd it to death and you are back to square one. SLi/CF is something that should be thought about and then done from day one IMHO, those who say otherwise don't know what they are talking about and most likely have zero experience with multi GPU rigs.

 

[iceclock]

well ill tell u what mouse i agree. but some can only afford 1 card at a time,

i bought a gtx 660ti and will buy one within a year, as my budget couldnt permit 2x660tis.

it really comes down to cash flow but i know where ur coming from

 

[Mousemonkey]

well ill tell u what mouse i agree. but some can only afford 1 card at a time,

i bought a gtx 660ti and will buy one within a year, as my budget couldnt permit 2x660tis.

it really comes down to cash flow but i know where ur coming from

Fingers crossed that they are still available when you come round to getting another one.

 

[iceclock]

hopefully or else its gonna be a gtx 680 or we is out when i do.

guess theyres always ebay for that -_-

 

[Mousemonkey]

Well depending on how long you wait, next gen cards could be available.

 

[iceclock]

i really want to add a gtx 660ti within a year. seems to go nicely with my other 660ti

 

[Mousemonkey]

i really want to add a gtx 660ti within a year. seems to go nicely with my other 660ti

I can, with hand on heart, say that SLi'd 660Ti's are some formidable firepower.