A plea from a PC gamer - Best Single card solution right now?

[AlgaeEater]

Hi guys,

I've been kinda out of the loop for a while now regarding video cards; and I'm looking to get back into the game "literally" with a new video card.

I've been doing my homework (Just enough to pass however ) and I've been hearing some pretty discouraging things from the Nvidia camp this generation. Not doom and gloom, but discouraging things none the less.

In any case I'm looking for a single card solution that matches the performance at a very minimum my "old" 4870x2 card. I love(d) that card, but I actually gave my entire rig to my girlfriend and let her keep the card to future proof her PC a bit. Sometimes she does have the odd occasion to jump onto gaming with me in some MMO/RTS, etc so hence I left it there for that purpose.

I'm not into SLI / Crossfire setups. I just hate dealing with dual cards after my whole experiences with them. Everything from bent/bad bridge connectors to wonky driver support; I'm pretty much not looking back.

EDIT: Thanks for the replies so far. I meant to be more specific - non dual card setups. As in 2x cards requiring to be plugged into 2 slots and using a bridge to connect them. Those types. Any card that requires drivers similar to SLI or Crossfire even if they're on one physical card would be a no go as well. (Some games simply don't get along with these setups, old and new)

I'm not really into overclocking either, but I will if it's a necessity. I just like to keep things simple. Price range is no more than $450 including taxes / shipping. ATI or Nvidia is ok, I'm only loyal to one brand which is named FPS.

EDIT 2: Thanks again for the replies. The general consensus is the 5870 for roughly $400 and the GTX 480 for around $500.

My specs
i7 920
6GB Ram
Intel G2 SSD
Single GTX 275 <----- (Not really happy with this guy - This was a backup card)
1920x1080 Gaming Resolution
Everest 1010 PSU

Thanks.


Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech PC Gaming Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[Skurge]

no more than $450 means the 5870, the GTX480 is faster but is $500.
5870 is about $400 cooler, quieter, less power hungry and slower than the GTX480 by about 15&#37;

Get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125316

 

[zerocool84]

This is a better deal.

$389 XFX 5870

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-14150490-LC5B

Promo code: EMCYSZW45

Like said above, for that price the 480 is out but it's the best single gpu card out there.

I'm just thinking you should put that 275 in your gf's system and keep the 4870x2 as it can handle any game and drivers for multi-gpu cards get better all the time unless you just have money to burn then ok.

 

[AlgaeEater]

First of all, thanks for the responses so far.

I'm getting a "just suck it up and dish out for a 480". Is that card the best single solution literally right now? I'm not trying to be stingy, but I don't want to overpay for something if you catch my drift. Kinda like "extreme" editions of processors which are like 3x the cost for 20&#37; benefit (if even)

I mean I can pony up the extra $100 but like I said, don't want to look like idiot who really overpaid for something. As for the GF thing, I already decided leaving her the 4870x2 considering the rare occasion she does game, I want her to enjoy it as much as possible, but yeah I already looked down that avenue.

 

[MJinZ]

Just get the GTX 480 and use your 275 as a PhysX card.

 

[AlgaeEater]

This looks promising:

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-P...4232173&amp;sr=8-1

Amazon has no tax and I have Prime. How much "heat" can I expect from this thing? Remember I use to (and still kinda do in some sense) own a 4870x2, so I'm no stranger to leaving my computer case open and heating the entire house up by 5 degrees by the computer video card alone. I heard the newer Nvidia cards or "thermi" can get pretty damn hot too.

Also feel free anyone to throw a monkey wrench if you think there's a better card or I should stick to the Ati card for less $ if it isn't worth it (well worth as in marginal gains)

 

[happy medium]

Here is recent comparison of top end cards.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gigabyte-gf-gtx400_8.html

The gtx 480 is the faster card, sometimes by a good margin.

 

[extra]

I'd get a 5870 or a gtx470... If you're going to "just save up" and get the gtx480 then meh, why not go all the way and get the 5970 instead imho...

 

[happy medium]

I'd get a 5870 or a gtx470... If you're going to "just save up" and get the gtx480 then meh, why not go all the way and get the 5970 instead imho...

because he dont want a crossfire card .

 

[AlgaeEater]

Here is recent comparison of top end cards.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gigabyte-gf-gtx400_8.html

The gtx 480 is the faster card, sometimes by a good margin.

Thank you, that was helpful. I guess I can kinda see now why a lot of people are torn between the 5870 and... anything else I guess for gaming purposes anyway. Lots of stretch for the $$$.

I'd get a 5870 or a gtx470... If you're going to "just save up" and get the gtx480 then meh, why not go all the way and get the 5970 instead imho...

$200 is quite a bit of a leap, regardless of how much one saves up. I did look at that option of course (I always just look at what's the biggest card on the market and then work down from there when buying video cards), but I always know there's better options usually just a level below. From the benchmarks provided in Happy Medium's post, it appears not much is to gain using the 5970 either.

I mean I could be wrong, but I'm just into gaming. I really don't care about anything else related to the video card, including encoding, multiple screens, and all that other "productive" stuff that remotely is related to any type of work. I just like see animated blood, gun shots and "purty colors" as smooth as possible.

Thanks though I always welcome suggestions.

 

[Attic]

What kind of PSU are you running?


If I were in your shoes i'd get the 5870 for <$400.

 

[AlgaeEater]

What kind of PSU are you running?


If I were in your shoes i'd get the 5870 for <$400.

Everest 1010

http://www.shopfsp.com/everest-1010/p/402.html

Yeah the 5870 is getting a lot of "value" points. It's coming down to "value" versus a couple of extra bucks for the 480.

 

[tviceman]

If you want the fastest single GPU solution, then it's the gtx480. No questions. It also supports Nvidia's hardware accelerated physx and 3dvision.

 

[Dark Shroud]

I would suggest the 5870.

 

[Skurge]

Are you willing to spend 25% more money for 15% more performance? Thats the question really, but at 1920x1080 id go with the 5870 as the extra $100 doesn't seem worth it to me.

 

[AlgaeEater]

Are you willing to spend 25% more money for 15% more performance? Thats the question really, but at 1920x1080 id go with the 5870 as the extra $100 doesn't seem worth it to me.

It's good to know the 5870 isn't a bad choice. From what I've seen so far, the consensus is that's a "can't do you wrong" card to go with. Like you said, I'm just torn over a couple of bucks for the 480, but there seem to be no real giant cons in doing so.

I also like to think everyone at Anandtech is good with money; they're just having a contest of who can best one another for "value". I've seen some pretty wicked setups over the years from you guys, I would think $100 is like petty change considering some of you have computers dipped in oil or cooling rigs rivaling NASA technology.

 

[happy medium]

Are you willing to spend 25&#37; more money for 15% more performance? Thats the question really, but at 1920x1080 id go with the 5870 as the extra $100 doesn't seem worth it to me.

The latest reviews show more like 20% overall and the gtx 480 really shines at 1900x1080 by more then 20%.
In a few months the gtx 480 should be 25% faster with further driver improvements.
Ati's drivers are 7 months old and most of the improvements where made with there 10.3's when the gtx series launched.

Did you see the latest review I posted?

 

[happy medium]

It's good to know the 5870 isn't a bad choice. From what I've seen so far, the consensus is that's a "can't do you wrong" card to go with. Like you said, I'm just torn over a couple of bucks for the 480, but there seem to be no real giant cons in doing so.

I also like to think everyone at Anandtech is good with money; they're just having a contest of who can best one another for "value". I've seen some pretty wicked setups over the years from you guys, I would think $100 is like petty change considering some of you have computers dipped in oil or cooling rigs rivaling NASA technology.

at 1900x1080 both cards with give you more then enough performance.
It all depends on how much you wanna spend really.
You want more performance you pay a little more.

 

[Attic]

Ok, solid PSU. Guess ya can't go wrong with either card, not a bad place to be :thumbsup:

 

[llee]

In any case I'm looking for a single card solution

The best single card solution is the ATI HD 5970. He disliked crossfire setups but the context was referring to multi-card setups not multi-gpu, single card solutions.

 

[MJinZ]

You can go wrong with ATI drivers though. One of the reason I sold mine.

 

[happy medium]

The best single card solution is the ATI HD 5970. He disliked crossfire setups but the context was referring to multi-card setups not multi-gpu, single card solutions.

Once again the 5970 IS CROSSFIRE!

 

[MagickMan]

Once again the 5970 IS CROSSFIRE!

I think he meant he didn't want to run multiple cards. Jesus, calm down a notch. You're getting as bad as Wreckage ever was.

 

[Martimus]

You should update your OP with your power supply as well if you are considering the 480.

 

[happy medium]

You should update your OP with your power supply as well if you are considering the 480.

His power supply will be more then enough.

@ Magicman
I just get tired of repeating myself when people don't read the thread before responding.

And your getting as bad as banned T2k. with your fanboy accusations