Buying a video card, need advice.

[themusgrat]

Hi, I haven't been into the computer scene since I last rebuilt my computer, and I ended up having to leave the old card in. I now have the money for a new one, so I'd like to know what I should be getting in the 100-150 price range or so.

The computer is just fine except for that, running on the original i5 750 quad, 12g ram, ssd, but a 4650 video card. I can run the games I play, but all at low settings, and I really just want to be able to run slightly higher settings, and have good framerates through fights and all. (sc2, wot)

So far it looks like a 650 would be around 120 new with 1g ram, or 140 with 2. Will that be fine, or does amd have something at that price point that blows it away?

As always, thanks a bunch for any advice.

edit: My main concern is with the generations, I didn't mention that. If there's a 500 series card cheaper but with better performance, I'd obviously want that. This will be the last video card upgrade for at least 2 years.

 

[themusgrat]

I would not be opposed to someone replying.

 

[Jaydip]

I would recommend this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102967

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Is used an option?

Price wise, 6870, 6950, 470, 560 Ti should all be within the price range if you go used. Performance wise they're all far better options than the 650.

New the 7770 is a better option IMO performance wise than the 650 but is also a bad choice compared to the older cards performance wise.

What PSU do you have?

 

[themusgrat]

Looks good, ordering. Thanks a bunch.

 

[themusgrat]

Is used an option?

Price wise, 6870, 6950, 470, 560 Ti should all be within the price range if you go used. Performance wise they're all far better options than the 650.

New the 7770 is a better option IMO performance wise than the 650 but is also a bad choice compared to the older cards performance wise.

What PSU do you have?

Used is definition an option, as long as the card works. I have a very good 550 watt, can't remember the name, but it's high efficiency, paid alot for it, it's run forever. That shouldn't really be an issue at this price point. I guess I need to be looking at ebay? And scrub the previous post, I'd rather get something better that's used.

edit: How important is the 1gb v 2gb in ram? It's not difficult to find a good price on a 1gb 560ti.

 

[Greenlepricon]

1gb will get you pretty far, especially since it seems like you're not going for making everything look as good as you possibly can. Only a few current games will use more than 1gb, especially at lower settings. With that being said, 2gb is never a bad amount to have. It will make you more "future proof" for using an older card, but in my opinion with something like a 560ti, it won't be that big of a deal unless you're playing Battlefield 3 or Skyrim or something similar. I don't think you'll notice too much with the games you listed.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Used is definition an option, as long as the card works. I have a very good 550 watt, can't remember the name, but it's high efficiency, paid alot for it, it's run forever. That shouldn't really be an issue at this price point. I guess I need to be looking at ebay? And scrub the previous post, I'd rather get something better that's used.

edit: How important is the 1gb v 2gb in ram? It's not difficult to find a good price on a 1gb 560ti.

Depends on the game and resolution, for 1080p 1GB still isn't limited assuming you're using AA settings the cards with 1GB can handle in the first place.

As mentioned 2GB will allow you to add higher res textures to your games, but that list of games is actually game and limited to Skyrim which can still be modded with 1GB at 1080p, just not as buck wild as with 2 or 3Gb.

 

[themusgrat]

Depends on the game and resolution, for 1080p 1GB still isn't limited assuming you're using AA settings the cards with 1GB can handle in the first place.

As mentioned 2GB will allow you to add higher res textures to your games, but that list of games is actually game and limited to Skyrim which can still be modded with 1GB at 1080p, just not as buck wild as with 2 or 3Gb.

Sounds good, thanks to both of you. I'm going to be looking for a 1gb 560ti or 6950 at under 150 if I can, used, and I guess that should do me just fine till it's really time to upgrade the whole thing.

Again, thanks to all.

 

[Dark Shroud]

Asus HD 7770 2GB HD7770-2GD5 $159.99