Advice for video card

[kazilan]

Hey everybody, I'm waiting on the parts to arrive for my first ever computer build and still need to buy a video card. My budget is pretty low at the moment so I'm wondering what the best option is, since I won't need anything too powerful until ES:Skyrim or the Witcher 2 are released. According to the description on newegg my mobo (Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2 Intel H67 LGA1155) can handle crossfirex but it doesn't mention SLI? From the Best Bang for your Buck thread it looks like I should pick up a the HIS HD 5750 for $99 AR, however the HIS HD 5770 is the same price after rebate. Any reason the 5750 is better? In four or five months I'll have a bigger budget, so I could buy cheaper now (HD 5670, $69 AR) and then upgrade before the new games come out or I could plan to set up a crossfire configuration then with one of those 57xx cards. I've been considering the GTX 460 as well with its current rebate at $104, but obviously I can't use crossfire config with it. Please correct my ignorance if anything I've stated is ridiculous, I'm still learning this stuff.

1.Budget(Be sure to include currency if not USD):
~$100

2.Do you consider rebates?
Nervous about rebates, would do 1.

3.Any particular preferences(Manufacturer[nV or AMD], Brand[XFX, Sapp, EVGA, etc], non reference cooler)?
nope

4. Crossfire/SLI?
My mobo is supposed to handle crossfirex.

5.Have you previously looked at a product which you feel would fill your needs?
HSI HD 5750 or 5770

6.Which games (If any)do you plan to play and @ which desired detail levels?
ES: Skyrim, Witcher 2, Oblivion (medium to high)

7. Are there any other uses(Folding, Photoshop, Video editing or watching Blu-Ray) or features (DX11, CUDA, OpenGL, 3D, Eyefinity) you are looking for besides gaming?
nope

8. Is the performance added by overclocking something you would take into consideration?
No, I'm still learning the basics.

System Specs:

1. Pre-built(HP, Dell, etc)? Ordering(a new computer) or Upgrading?
New build.

2.Monitor Resolution:
1080p

3.Processor:
Intel Core i5-2300 2.80

4.Power Supply Unit:
cooler master 650w

5.Case Dimensions(Length, Low Profile, Cooling):
thermaltake v3 mid tower case

 

[DaveSimmons]

A GTX 460 768MB is going to be faster than a single 5770 so if you can find a deal on one for around $100, it's your best choice. Make sure you aren't looking at a 460 SE, that's a crippled card.

Ranking faster to slower: 460 1 GB > 460 768 > > 4770 > 4750

A single 5770 is slightly faster than my old 4870, which played Oblivion and the first Witcher very well.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

A GTX 460 768MB is going to be faster than a single 5770 so if you can find a deal on one for around $100, it's your best choice. Make sure you aren't looking at a 460 SE, that's a crippled card.

The crippled card is still faster than a 5770 and there are many situations where it can match the 768MB. If SLI is the intent, I'd recommend the SE 1GB over 768MB.

Now his board doesn't look like it officially supports SLI. There may or may not be a hack for it.

If that hack isn't worth taking the risk (of it not working), then Crossfired 5770s are going to be faster than a single 460-768MB.

 

[kazilan]

No SLI support is the reason I'm considering the 5770 over the 460. It looks like the 5770 will run all the games I want without a problem, and then this summer I'll be able to pick up a second one to handle newer games later in the year. The question now is whether crossfired 5770s in five months will be better than just saving up for a single monster card next January. 460 786MB now with an upgrade next year, or 5770 now with a second one in June/July? I might just be overthinking it at this point, I'm pretty nervous about building my first computer.

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate the help!