Best GPU under $160

[HYP3Rl0N]

I've been looking to upgrade my Graphics Card from my Radeon HD 4350, and so far I've narrowed it down to two cards, one AMD and one Nvidia. if there is one that I missed that is better and is within the $160-170 range, I am all ears. I'm not sure if you need to have all of the info, but it can't hurt, right? If it will help you make your decision, I want to render/edit xbox 360 videos with it and some light gaming.

Intel Core i5 750
12gb RAM ddr3 pc3-1066
750GB HDD

So with that, here are the two choices I've narrowed it down to:

EVGA GTX 650 (before you say it's not as good, look at the specs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130831

Asus HD 7770 2gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121642


Thanks for the help

 

[munjoo238]

HD 7770 is better than the GTX 650. But I would suggest you to stretch the budget out a little, get the GTX 650 Ti if you want Nvidia cards.

You can check the benchmark here http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/681?vs=536

 

[toyftw]

I've been looking to upgrade my Graphics Card from my Radeon HD 4350, and so far I've narrowed it down to two cards, one AMD and one Nvidia. if there is one that I missed that is better and is within the $160-170 range, I am all ears. I'm not sure if you need to have all of the info, but it can't hurt, right? If it will help you make your decision, I want to render/edit xbox 360 videos with it and some light gaming.

Intel Core i5 750
12gb RAM ddr3 pc3-1066
750GB HDD

So with that, here are the two choices I've narrowed it down to:

EVGA GTX 650 (before you say it's not as good, look at the specs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130831

Asus HD 7770 2gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121642


Thanks for the help

Hi - here's some 650ti's netting under $170 (if you live in the US):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121686

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127704

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130838

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130839

Tom

 

[bigshootr8]

Here is a EVGA 650Ti with 2 gigabytes for under 160.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $159.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 21:11 EST-0500)

 

[HYP3Rl0N]

So the gtx 650 Ti is better than the 7770? I really have no preferences other than the performance of the card. Do they have different strengths and weaknesses? I'm kinda new to all of this, so all I have to go on is the raw stats and deciphering other people's forums.

 

[toyftw]

So the gtx 650 Ti is better than the 7770? I really have no preferences other than the performance of the card. Do they have different strengths and weaknesses? I'm kinda new to all of this, so all I have to go on is the raw stats and deciphering other people's forums.

Yes - the 650ti outperforms the 7770:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=680

Tom

 

[lethalsam]

negative captain.........650ti and 7770 are bad deals for $160

for that money......get 1 GB Radeon HD 7850

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161426

you can thank me later.....once you realize the difference in class between 7850 and those 2 above mentioned cards

good luck

 

[stantheman123]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

7850 $164 with rebate sapphire dual fan

single fan 7850 rebate $159

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150642

Cant be bothered doing the rebate?

$164

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161426


I recommend getting the sapphire dual fan do the rebate get a dual fan sapphire 7850 for $164

The 7850 is the same price and quite a bit faster

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=680

Why not?

 

[bigshootr8]

The 6850 is indeed a stronger card however I would spend the extra and get the 2 gigabyte model.

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=77602&vpn=FX-785A-CNL4&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1270
or this one which is cheaper with no MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131473&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[toyftw]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

7850 $164 with rebate sapphire dual fan

single fan 7850 rebate $159

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150642

Cant be bothered doing the rebate?

$164

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161426


I recommend getting the sapphire dual fan do the rebate get a dual fan sapphire 7850 for $164

The 7850 is the same price and quite a bit faster

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=680

Why not?

agree - get the most perf for the $$

 

[lethalsam]

2 GB Radeon 7850 is Absolutely WORTH IT considering its just $20 more ........and will provide a bit more future proofing for sure compared to 1 GB.

quite a few games use out that 1Gb VRAM @ 1080P...........future surely gonna be more VRAM hungry

so that extra $20 for 2 Gb 7850 is worth EVERY PENNY, PENNY, PENNY if u ask me

 

[stantheman123]

I agree my 5970 (1gb per gpu) Would drop to under 10fps on ultra settings due to the 1gb of vram 1gb is not enough for all games

For $174 with rebate (10dollars) you can get a 2gb 7850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131473

or if your feeling naughty and want dual fans

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102999

$184 with rebate dual fan sapphire 2gb.

However the cooling on the single fan will be Perfect anyway

 

[toyftw]

I've been looking to upgrade my Graphics Card from my Radeon HD 4350, and so far I've narrowed it down to two cards, one AMD and one Nvidia. if there is one that I missed that is better and is within the $160-170 range, I am all ears. I'm not sure if you need to have all of the info, but it can't hurt, right? If it will help you make your decision, I want to render/edit xbox 360 videos with it and some light gaming.

Intel Core i5 750
12gb RAM ddr3 pc3-1066
750GB HDD

So with that, here are the two choices I've narrowed it down to:

EVGA GTX 650 (before you say it's not as good, look at the specs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130831

Asus HD 7770 2gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121642


Thanks for the help

Hi - You now have several GPU offerings from which to choose.

Don't recall seeing your PSU make/model listed

You need a 430w unit (some wiggle room) for 7770 or 650ti,
a 7850 requires 450w, also with some wiggle room.

If you have a 250-300w unit, it won't cut it. A quality 350w
unit should be OK for 7770/650ti, & a quality 400w for the 7850.

I suggest that if you do have to upgrade the psu, you get at least a quality 450w unit

 

[HYP3Rl0N]

I was looking at the corsair cx500:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

I figured the extra wattage would help if I decided to add some other stuff later on, but if you have any suggestions, please share. I'm on a budget, and all these quality gpus means that something is going to take the a hit in the quality dept, but I've read a lot if good reviews saying its a good psu for the money

 

[toyftw]

I was looking at the corsair cx500:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

I figured the extra wattage would help if I decided to add some other stuff later on, but if you have any suggestions, please share. I'm on a budget, and all these quality gpus means that something is going to take the a hit in the quality dept, but I've read a lot if good reviews saying its a good psu for the money

That is a good budget PSU, and it's unlikely I'll find anything better for $40 net.
Be happy to look if you want to spend more, but I
think you found the right PSU and at a good price.

Nets to $30 if you buy today

Tom

 

[bigshootr8]

Yea there are quite a few corsair power supplies on sale today that are good. For example
Corsair TX650v2: $89.99-20 promo-20 MIR=$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

 

[HYP3Rl0N]

2 GB Radeon 7850 is Absolutely WORTH IT considering its just $20 more ........and will provide a bit more future proofing for sure compared to 1 GB.

quite a few games use out that 1Gb VRAM @ 1080P...........future surely gonna be more VRAM hungry

so that extra $20 for 2 Gb 7850 is worth EVERY PENNY, PENNY, PENNY if u ask me

I am not so much worried about the gaming as much as I am for the video editing/rendering... Will I see a large improvement in the speed or quality with extra Gb of RAM in regards to video production?

 

[bigshootr8]

From the 1 gigabyte to the 2 gigabyte yes you would notice it while rendering/editing because you would have more ram to draw from.

 

[HYP3Rl0N]

Best answer selected by HYP3Rl0N.