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New video card: suggestions?

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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System specs:
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @2.40 GHz
Mainboard: Benicia / manufacturer: Pegatron Corporation
RAM: 4 GB
Video card: Nvidia GeForce 9600 GS
DirectX: 10
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium Service pack 2 (64 bit)
Computer case: Hp pavillion

Ok guys, I bought this pc in december 2007 and it was SUPER powerful back then. Now it's old but I don't want to change it.
I play a lot of games and i haven't had many problems. I can run Skyrim, dishonored, syndicate, batman arkham city, borderlands 2, etc. all of them at high settings. :sol: 

Obviously I can't run Far cry 3. :fou: 

I only want to change video cardand I saw that there are some good cards at a "low" price.

Which one should i buy? :??: 

AMD radeon 7970 HD
AMD radeon 7870 HD
Nvidia GeForce GTX 460
Nvidia GeForce GTX 480
Nvidia GeForce GTX 560

What's the best price-performance card?

Thanks in advance.

More about : video card suggestions

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Graphics card Authority

If you're not planning on upgrading your platform, I'd suggest nothing more than the 7870. You will see a CPU bottleneck though (you'll see bottleneck with any of those cards depending on the game tbh) but you could reduce it by overclocking the Q6600.
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Graphics card Authority

^ I only see GTX 660 Ti's for right around $300... But anyway the GTX 660 is comparable to the 7870, the GTX 660 Ti is comparable to the AMD 7950... But anyway for your system i would suggest getting either the GTX 660(~$210) or AMD 7870(~$230). The AMD 7870 will give about ~5% better FPS, but the GTX 660 has more features like Adaptive vsync, Physx, 3d vision, as well as having lower frame latency (very slightly smoother gameplay).
Graphics card Authority

hugemetalfan said:
I'm not an expert, but why will I see bottlenecking? My processor is not bad


In games that are more CPU bound and does not utilize more than 2 cores (ie. most games), your CPU will bottleneck any cards you listed earlier.
Graphics card Authority

In newer games your CPU will not be able to process the information fast enough to allow your GPU to use its full potential there for reducing your FPS. Some games you won't have this issue but for most you will especially online multi-player games.
Graphics card Master

Given the age of the system, a 560 Ti would do just fine, it is the most popular DX11 card ever produced, currently holding 5.43% of the market share.

The DCII TOP at $189 is a pert good buy (includes Duke Nukem coupon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If ya want to move this card later to a newer system, then I'd look at the 660 Ti and the 7950

Radeon 7950 (HardwareInfo.com)

AvP High 4AA 56.1 fps
Batman AC Very High 4AA 66.0
BF3 Ultra High 4AA 48.0
Crysis 2 Ultra High Edge AA 50.3
Dirt 3 Ultra 4AA 73.9
Hard Reset Ultra 4AA 69.1
Metro 2033 Very High 32.0
Skyrim High 4AA 94.0
Shogun 2 Ultra 4AA 41.0

Total FPS 530.4 fps
Cost Per Frame $0.57

GTX 660 Ti (HardwareInfo.com)

AvP High 4AA 44.9 fps
Batman AC Very High 4AA 68.0
BF3 Ultra High 4AA 52.0
Crysis 2 Ultra High Edge AA 60.8
Dirt 3 Ultra 4AA 97.2
Hard Reset Ultra 4AA 81.3
Metro 2033 Very High 24.0
Skyrim High 4AA 87.3
Shogun 2 Ultra 4AA 50.5

Total FPS 566.0 fps
Cost Per Frame $0.48

Derza10 said:
^ I only see GTX 660 Ti's for right around $300... But anyway the GTX 660 is comparable to the 7870, the GTX 660 Ti is comparable to the AMD 7950... But anyway for your system i would suggest getting either the GTX 660(~$210) or AMD 7870(~$230). The AMD 7870 will give about ~5% better FPS, but the GTX 660 has more features like Adaptive vsync, Physx, 3d vision, as well as having lower frame latency (very slightly smoother gameplay).


Wait... only a 5% fps increase if I upgrade my 9600 GS to a GTX 660 ti?

JackNaylorPE said:
Given the age of the system, a 560 Ti would do just fine, it is the most popular DX11 card ever produced, currently holding 5.43% of the market share.

The DCII TOP at $189 is a pert good buy (includes Duke Nukem coupon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If ya want to move this card later to a newer system, then I'd look at the 660 Ti and the 7950



Thanks for your answer, but will I get those high framerates if I change my 9600 gs with one of those?
Graphics card Authority

hugemetalfan said:
Wait... only a 5% fps increase if I upgrade my 9600 GS to a GTX 660 ti?


Lol no, I meant the 7870 vs the GTX 660... You will see a huge FPS increase switching to either card (as long as your CPU allows it).
Graphics card Authority

Get one of these:
GTX 660 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

AMD 7870: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

The AMD 7870 will give about ~5% better FPS over the GTX 660, but the GTX 660 has more features like Adaptive vsync, Physx, 3d vision, as well as having lower frame latency (very slightly smoother gameplay). So keep those factors in mind when you make your decision.

Derza10 said:
Like others have said your CPU will be your limiting factor, so unless you plan to upgrade the rest of your system in the near future I wouldn't recommend getting any GPU faster than a GTX 660 or AMD 7870.


I wouldn't have bought anything faster than the GTX 660. Anyway, thanks for your answer
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