Best graphics card for ~150

[cnjmorris]

I recently purchased a Core i5-3570k and ASRock Z77 Extreme 4

It was my intention to use my old Radeon 4830 graphics card but I can't seem to get it to work and I'm thinking I'll go ahead and purchase a new one.

I do NOT need top of the line graphics, I do not play above 1920 x 1080 in games. I play Warcraft, Diablo III, and my wife has been getting into some Skyrim.

Is this a good card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150642

(XFX Core Edition FX-785A-ZNL4 Radeon HD 7850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card)

I would like 256 bit, 1gb or more gddr5, pci express 3.0 with a core clock at or above 850... so this meets that check list but I honestly don't know performance wise if I could get a faster 128bit pci express 2.0, etc.

Also what kind of performance boost does crossfire offer? If I picked up a second of these in the future and hooked them up would that compare to just spending extra cash for a better solo card?

 

[Red Hawk]

A Radeon HD 7850 is great at that price, much better than Nvidia's next best alternative, the Geforce GTX 650 Ti. I will say that it would probably be worth it in the long run to scrounge up a little more money to get the 2 GB version of the 7850, as games will increasingly use up more RAM in coming years. But for the $150 price range, that's great.

 

[Denithor]

The 7850 1GB is an acceptable card for 1080p but - like Red Hawk mentioned - you would be better off with a 2GB card if possible.

There are a couple at newegg for $175 after rebate.

Of course, then it's only a small step up to the 7870 2GB GHz edition cards that are about $200 after rebate...

 

[cnjmorris]

Shame Amazon isn't comparable... I've got about $90 in GC there that would make 'finding' the extra a bit easier. Guess I have some thinking to do. =)

 

[bononos]

A Radeon HD 7850 is great at that price, much better than Nvidia's next best alternative, the Geforce GTX 650 Ti. I will say that it would probably be worth it in the long run to scrounge up a little more money to get the 2 GB version of the 7850, as games will increasingly use up more RAM in coming years. But for the $150 price range, that's great.

Would games in the future need 2Gb even for 'average' settings (low aa) at 1080?

 

[tweakboy]

A Radeon HD 7850 is great at that price, much better than Nvidia's next best alternative, the Geforce GTX 650 Ti. I will say that it would probably be worth it in the long run to scrounge up a little more money to get the 2 GB version of the 7850, as games will increasingly use up more RAM in coming years. But for the $150 price range, that's great.

The games he mentioned RedHawk he doesn't need 2GB video card.

I say grab a 460 1GB for 120ish .........or ATI equivlant.... These cards will pownz those games you mentioned....

 

[Denithor]

Not just 'in the future' - many games with high resolution texture packages applied can eat up 2GB or even more today.

Here's an MSI 7870 HAWK model that's $240 after rebate. In the Prime program if you have that. Knock off your $90 GC and you're down to $150...
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-DisplayPor...&keywords=7870

 

[Denithor]

And here's an absolutely awesome deal, jump if you see this before it sells out.

http://www.amazon.com/R7850-2xMiniDi...6494907&sr=8-4

MSI Twin Frozr 7850 OC 2GB for $180 with $15MIR and Prime eligible. Making it $165 for a new 2GB 7850 (excellent version no less) minus your $90 GC so a total of $75.

Doesn't get much better than that...

 

[Arkaign]

And here's an absolutely awesome deal, jump if you see this before it sells out.

http://www.amazon.com/R7850-2xMiniDi...6494907&sr=8-4

MSI Twin Frozr 7850 OC 2GB for $180 with $15MIR and Prime eligible. Making it $165 for a new 2GB 7850 (excellent version no less) minus your $90 GC so a total of $75.

Doesn't get much better than that...

Gold! Absolutely stellar suggestion.

 

[Attic]

I'd bag a used 6950 or 6970 from for sale forum. ~150 shipped should be doable. Save you tax and you can spend the GC on future purchase.

 

[The Alias]

I'd bag a used 6950 or 6970 from for sale forum. ~150 shipped should be doable. Save you tax and you can spend the GC on future purchase.

a 7850 would demolish a 6950/70 anyday

 

[Arkaign]

a 7850 would demolish a 6950/70 anyday

As a previous owner of a 6950 2GB XFX (it's now in my bro's CF setup), and someone who's installed a few 2GB 7850s, I can attest to this. Maybe not 'demolish' per se, but one great thing is that the 7850 is a lot less hot/loud than a 6950/70.

 

[Rvenger]

As a previous owner of a 6950 2GB XFX (it's now in my bro's CF setup), and someone who's installed a few 2GB 7850s, I can attest to this. Maybe not 'demolish' per se, but one great thing is that the 7850 is a lot less hot/loud than a 6950/70.

Better for tessellation too.

 

[MrK6]

Better for tessellation too.

Not as big an issue since you can curtail tessellation in AMD's drivers, but hey, why not get all the bells and whistles with the new model.

The 7850 is the way to go, and springing for a 2GB @ 1080p is money well spent.

 

[Erenhardt]

If you live in EU you can get 7770 for $150... with a bit of luck that is...