Budget GPU

[TheClueless]

I'm building a budget pc and find myself stuck on selecting a good GPU.

I originally was going to pick up a 5570 1GB for $80. However my friend is pushing getting a 5670 for DDR5. Looked it up I could get 512MB for $75.

So I'm stuck between two things. I know nothing about the 5670, I've never read anything on it, but I do know the 5570 has had some good reviews. Secondly 1GB DDR3 vs 512MB DDR5, would the difference between the two be really note worthy?

TLDR: ATI: 5570 1GB DDR3 vs 5670 512MB DDR5, reliability & performance?

Mainly for gaming with some modeling on the side. Open to any other GPU recommendations <$100.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Perhaps a used 4850 or 4870 from the FS/FT forums here, from someone with a decent Heatware rating.

 

[TemjinGold]

The ram won't be noteworthy but the difference in card will. The 5670 is much faster than the 5570. Having said that, if this is a gaming PC, you're going to be SORELY disappointed with either choice. If you don't play any games, then either card would do fine. So the question is, what do you plan to do with it?

Edit: Just noticed you have "mainly for gaming." Both cards are WAY too weak unless you want to play old games on low settings. DaveSimmons' suggestion is best at your budget (might also consider a used 5770.)

 

[thewalrus34]

What about an nVidia 9600 GT, just based off his budget? I don't know too much about any of the Radeon cards, so correct me if my suggestion is meaningless.

 

[Jovec]

Definitely go with the 5670 over the 5570. The 5670 at or near 720/1280x1024 resolutions does quite well. The 512MB of RAM won't matter except for high levels of AA and large resolutions never of which you would run with this card anyway. You can see benchmarks between the two here:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2935/5

The sub $100 5xxx series has something of a premium because there is no real Nvidia competition. If gaming is your main choice for a card then look for at least a 4850 or GTS250 in your budget.

 

[nonameo]

Another vote for a used card on the forums.

 

[v8envy]

Ultrabudget: GT240 for around $30-40 AR deals which pop up all the time. This is basically a 9600GT, so it'll handle basic entry level gaming even in 2010. Oh, and in many cases it'll be faster than either of those $70-ish cards. A 9800GT (non-green) would be about 20&#37; faster, but they sell for almost as much as the next choice.

Budget gaming: 4850 for around $80.

You will never be using the high resolutions or demanding graphics settings with the 5 series "multimedia" cards, so 1G of vram won't make any difference at all over 512. With the more powerful cards like the 4850 1G would be nice, but I'd take a more powerful 512M card over a feeble 1G card any day of the week.

 

[nemesismk2]

I would either get a 4770 (I have one of these in my spare computer, it's cool, quiet and plays everything game I've tried), 4850 or GTS 250. All of which are faster than a 5570 and 5670.

 

[edplayer]

ultrabudget, just like v8envy said, a gt240

If you want to spend up to $80 a gts 250 or 4850 like nemesismk2 said. You can find gts 250 on sale a lot, I've seen it as low as $50 after rebate (check slickdeals). 4850 goes on sale too but less often, usually around $80~85 after rebate. I would rather get either one of those cards new vs a used one at those prices. Check slickdeals

 

[nemesismk2]

wow $50 with rebate for a GTS 250 is a must have

 

[edplayer]

yeah that one was just last week at Fry's:

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2142560


9800 GTX+ but its the same as a GTS 250. Those and GT240 are the budget cards I see most on sale these days. 4850 kind of and 5670 almost never.

 

[Termie]

Here you go: GTS250 512MB for $85 FS/AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127495. About 50% faster than the 5670 for $10 more. And definitely DO NOT get the 5570. It's far inferior to the cheaper 5670 (and of course the GTS250). The only reason to get the 5670 is if you want a low-power card that produces little heat or noise or you need HDMI out.

If you're willing to go all the way up to $100 (after rebate), the 1GB version of the GTS250 is actually quite a bit better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127445

 

[tweakboy]

Get him a 5750 he deserves it. The other cards you mentioned are way too bugdet,, their for 2D users only IMO. good luck let us know what happens... what you decide.. thanks

God bless

 

[Termie]

Get him a 5750 he deserves it. The other cards you mentioned are way too bugdet,, their for 2D users only IMO. good luck let us know what happens... what you decide.. thanks

God bless

The problem with the 5750 is that it's way overpriced, at close to $130.

Another option, if you want to go Ati, is the 4850 1GB, which is very close to the GTS250 and 5750 in performance. Here's a nice version for $97 shipped (after rebate): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102834. The rebate is not as big as teh GTS250, so the cash outlay is less.

 

[Leyawiin]

If you live near a Fry's get that 9800 GTX+. PNY does pay their rebates (eventually) and that's a screaming deal (performance more or less equal to a HD 5750 for $50).

 

[frozentundra123456]

Of the low power cards, the GT240 is probably the best value. Just be sure to get the DDR5 version. The 5670 is somewhat overpriced still. As others have said, dont get the 5570. If you are gaming at low resolutions these cards should be adequate. I game with a 9800GT at 1440x900 and it is only slightly more powerful than the cards I mentioned above. These cards would not be adequate for higher resolutions and might not play future games that well either.

Since you are building your own comp, I assume you have a decent power supply. If you do, the GT250 or HD4850 are good if you can find them.