6870 or wait for the new cards?

[Smidget]

I just built my new machine, i5-2500K, Z68 mobo, 16GB of ram, but hesistated on buying a videocard.

I did eventually get a decent deal on a Powercolor 6870 on Newegg.com but got the blue/black vertical lines of death multiple times already since installing it yesterday that is apparently semi-common place. I plan to send it back to Newegg for a full refund.

Now at this moment... should I try to find another 6870 card (Sapphire is available for $145 after rebate - $10 NEWCUSTOMER10 code = $135...) or will there be a 7XXX series card from AMD coming out in the very near future that will be in the $150ish range that will blow it sky high?

I figured I can play my 360/PS3 exclusive games in the meantime while waiting...

Thanks in advance! Love the site, first time in the forum

 

[Rvenger]

The Sapphire 6870 doesn't sound like a bad deal.

At least you know you will get $100+ for it when you sell it (When the 7000 series is out) There is always new technology coming out so I think if you get a 6870 right now, you will be happy.

I just bought a 5850 last month and I couldn't be happier. I am going to wait until I can get a discount on the 7870 or 7950 before I retire this card. That would take me to about June - July I think. At that time I might consider an Ivy Bridge CPU to drop into my current setup as well.

 

[Smidget]

I just needed that little push... went and bought it As you said, if I feel like it's slowing down I can always upgrade later on. Now I should get that with free Shoprunner on Tuesday, the same day my 25 ft HDMI cable is being delivered to hook up my PC to my projector for some 1080p gaming goodness! Thanks!

 

[Leyawiin]

The Sapphire does sound like a good deal and the HD 6870 is a fine midrange card. I think it will still be a fine midrange card after the release of the HD 7000 series.

 

[RavenSEAL]

HD 6870s are very awesome cards, you can't go wrong for the price. I paid $200/ea for mine and I do not regret it.

 

[shingletingle]

I have the 6870 and I'm very happy with it. I can run most games with optimal settings, including newer ones. I was able to run Crysis pretty close to the highest settings. My CPU is an Intel quad core running about 3.5ghz. Memory is 4GB 1600. I'm not sure why people feel they need $500 graphics cards to run everything.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Op what i did was went for a 6790 in your case i might wanna go for a 6770.

The 7000 series is so close i got my cash back on a gtx570 and went for a 6790 pocketed the $210 difference and now waiting myself for the 7000 series.

If you got more of a disposable income the 6870 wouldn't be a bad hold me over .