GeForce 8600 GT to ? It's been years and I'm a new dad...

[ajskydiver]

Don't have much time to play games anymore and haven't been able to research as much as I'd like so I'm looking for some suggestions if I'm way off base. After 6 months, I may be able to play some games again...maybe. ;-)

I. Processor/CPU:

Intel Core i7 920 OC'd to 3.8 GHz. The overclock obviously increases the wattage of the processor and I'd prefer not to slow it down (it's running at stock voltage however).


II. Current Graphics Card:

EVGA NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT


III. Display Resolution:

1680x1050


IV. Power Supply Unit Specification (Brand, Wattage, Ampage, Age). If possible, please provide a link to a website containing the power supply specifications:

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

V. Case Specifications(N/A, Model, Length, Low Profile, Cooling, HTPC, Water, Silent):

Coolermaster ATC-110 (yes, it's an old one)
21" Long x 8" Wide x 19" High

Purchase Details:

I. Budget?

$250.00 - prefer Newegg and no rebates. Willing to +10% or more for better value/money ratio.


II. Any particular preferences (Manufacturer[nV or AMD], Brand[XFX, Sapphire, EVGA, etc], Cooling Solutions)?

I have been partial to EVGA due to lifetime warranty (used it to get this card years ago for another card that was years old...it's been awhile), but willing to look elsewhere.

III. Do you plan to have any Multi-GPU solutions such as Crossfire or SLI?

No.

IV. Have you previously looked at a product(s) which you feel would fit your needs?

ATI Radeon HD 7850 for it's lower power consumption...but not sure which ONE if this is the best card for me to get.

V. What are your needs for this GPU? Which games(If any)do you intend to play? If you have this information at hand, what are the desired detail levels?

Starcraft II and Diablo 3 currently at max detail levels. Willing to pay for best value/money ratio in case of overkill for those games.

VI. Do you plan on overclocking the card you intend to purchase?

Definitely no.

Additional Notes

Priorities in order of preference:

1. Quiet and cool.
2. Everything else.

 

[tweakboy]

I dont get what exactly your trying to do. If your a new dad, save the money.

You dont need a new processor for gaming, just couple your CPU with a EVGA 460 1GB and you will be fine, especially at that resolution, Your CPU is fine once again, save the money for a SSD or for your kid. Grab the 460 1GB and I promise you 60fps gaming, unless you put ultra detail on BF3,, everything else is 60fps capped sometimes it drops........ Its 140ish dollars btw. Best bang for buck... gl

 

[Termie]

You have a few options at $250, but for Starcraft II and Diablo 3, I wouldn't spend that much money. Here are a few benchmarks for you:

(1) Diablo 3: http://www.techspot.com/review/532-diablo-3-performance/page2.html
(2) Starcraft II: http://www.techspot.com/review/305-starcraft2-performance/page4.html

D3 has a slight preference for AMD, SCII has a slight preference for nVidia. Both are pretty easy on the GPU at 1680x1050, though, so go with the best deal you can get. Since very few manufacturers offer lifetime warranties anymore (that means no for EVGA/nVidia, and no for XFX/AMD), you can feel free to look at other manufacturers. EVGA is still great for service, however, but nVidia simply doesn't have cost-competive cards in the $100-200 range, which is where I think you should be looking.

I'd go for this XFX HD6850 for $120AR/FS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150515

You said you don't like rebates, but even before rebate, the price is pretty good.

 

[magomago]

For the money, the GTX460 is great (so as long as it isn't a crippled version, but i don't know if that even matters at your resolution)

For 250 dollars...you could get better options....like that 7850 on sale (which seem to be overlclocking like monsters on stock voltage)

 

[Destiny]

Congrats on being a new dad and happy early Father's day to you!

At that resolution and budget the AMD 7850, or GTX 560 ti 448 Core or GTX 570 would serve you well for $250.

 

[ajskydiver]

I dont get what exactly your trying to do. If your a new dad, save the money.

You dont need a new processor for gaming, just couple your CPU with a EVGA 460 1GB and you will be fine, especially at that resolution, Your CPU is fine once again, save the money for a SSD or for your kid. Grab the 460 1GB and I promise you 60fps gaming, unless you put ultra detail on BF3,, everything else is 60fps capped sometimes it drops........ Its 140ish dollars btw. Best bang for buck... gl

Please don't worry about my money situation; I've got it under control.

I know I don't need a new processor and I already have several SSDs...and my new baby won't be using a computer for a few years yet...so, uh, thanks. ;-)

 

[Nephelee]

I think I saw a Memorial Week sale on Newegg that included the 570 for ~250. I would go with either that or a 7850. I don't remember what brand the 570 was.. maybe evga which you listed as your preference. I'm at work and can't double-check.

 

[ajskydiver]

You have a few options at $250, but for Starcraft II and Diablo 3, I wouldn't spend that much money. Here are a few benchmarks for you:

(1) Diablo 3: http://www.techspot.com/review/532-diablo-3-performance/page2.html
(2) Starcraft II: http://www.techspot.com/review/305-starcraft2-performance/page4.html

D3 has a slight preference for AMD, SCII has a slight preference for nVidia. Both are pretty easy on the GPU at 1680x1050, though, so go with the best deal you can get. Since very few manufacturers offer lifetime warranties anymore (that means no for EVGA/nVidia, and no for XFX/AMD), you can feel free to look at other manufacturers. EVGA is still great for service, however, but nVidia simply doesn't have cost-competive cards in the $100-200 range, which is where I think you should be looking.

I'd go for this XFX HD6850 for $120AR/FS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150515

You said you don't like rebates, but even before rebate, the price is pretty good.

Thanks for the suggestion. I probably should have clarified that I'm not looking for a video card just for now and just for those two games. I won't be buying another one for YEARS...and want this one to last me pretty well. So I wouldn't want to get one that'll do just for now.

 

[ajskydiver]

For the money, the GTX460 is great (so as long as it isn't a crippled version, but i don't know if that even matters at your resolution)

For 250 dollars...you could get better options....like that 7850 on sale (which seem to be overlclocking like monsters on stock voltage)

I had considered the 460, but thought it's power requirements may be a little too high considering my overclock.

How would I know if a particular version is crippled or not?

Thanks!

 

[ajskydiver]

Congrats on being a new dad and happy early Father's day to you!

At that resolution and budget the AMD 7850, or GTX 560 ti 448 Core or GTX 570 would serve you well for $250.

Thank you very much. Is there anything worth jumping up another $50 for a significant upgrade or is 250 the sweet spot right now?

 

[superccs]

Yeah 6850 or 460 should work fine for those games, and are really the sweet spot for value. The 7850 is also a great option, which will just pprovide more performance on the high side of your price range.

Maybe this will be useful... http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU12/372

 

[p_monks33]

On a 750w power supply you could run 2x 460s and be fine with that overclock. I would suggest a 7850 or the 6870. They are pretty efficient on power, I would suggest the 7850 the most though. Find a sapphire dual fan model.

 

[Destiny]

Thank you very much. Is there anything worth jumping up another $50 for a significant upgrade or is 250 the sweet spot right now?

$250 is the sweet spot and from what I'm reading the 7850 is a good overclocker if you feel the need to get more performance for future games in the next few years... the GTX 570 you can find some sales on here and there at $250. If you're in no rush, Nvidia may be releasing the GTX 660 in the next few months that may be priced at $300 (if you're willing to spend a little more or wait for AMD price drops)... and the GTX 570 drops to $250 or less price range... between the AMD 7850 and GTX 570 - the AMD 7850 runs at less wattage, cooler, and quiter than the GTX 570... I offered to give my GTX 570 to my brother but he prefers to wait till the AMD 7850 drops to $200...

The EVGA GTX 570 does really well at resolutions of 1920x1200 and lower... ALso EVGA is no longer doing lifetime warranty for free (you have to pay for it)... which is why I'm may be keeping my GTX 570 (registered and lifetime warranty) as a back up for current and future cards that may crap out on me...

only reason why I upgraded to a GTX 670 is because I'm hunting for a 2560x1440 gaming monitor.

 

[Face2Face]

Here you are sir.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102986

 

[Denithor]

GTX 460 or 6870 would be perfectly acceptable for 1680x1050. If not planning to upgrade your monitor anytime soon, just go for either GTX 460 or 6870. 7850 gives you the opportunity to also bump up to a 1080p/1200p monitor in the future without having to replace your video card to maintain comfortable gaming. If even considering a screen upgrade, go for the 7850.

Concerning the "crippled" GTX 460 - you want a model with 256-bit memory interface, not the lower 192-bit interface. This affects memory bandwidth, which if not high enough can cause your fps to choke just when you need it most. However, for 1680x1050 you aren't likely to have any issue like this with even the 192-bit cards.

And finally - concerning your PSU - a Corsair 750W is enough to power even the highest pair of cards out there comfortably. So absolutely zero worries for any single card available.

EDIT: My suggestion would actually be to get a 460 or 6870 now and enjoy. If/when you decide to upgrade your screen, pick up a faster GPU at that time. The advantage is, by then the 7850 will be much cheaper and/or will have been replaced with something more powerful.

 

[1ManArmY]

GTX 460 or 6870 would be perfectly acceptable for 1680x1050. If not planning to upgrade your monitor anytime soon, just go for either GTX 460 or 6870. 7850 gives you the opportunity to also bump up to a 1080p/1200p monitor in the future without having to replace your video card to maintain comfortable gaming. If even considering a screen upgrade, go for the 7850.

Concerning the "crippled" GTX 460 - you want a model with 256-bit memory interface, not the lower 192-bit interface. This affects memory bandwidth, which if not high enough can cause your fps to choke just when you need it most. However, for 1680x1050 you aren't likely to have any issue like this with even the 192-bit cards.

And finally - concerning your PSU - a Corsair 750W is enough to power even the highest pair of cards out there comfortably. So absolutely zero worries for any single card available.

EDIT: My suggestion would actually be to get a 460 or 6870 now and enjoy. If/when you decide to upgrade your screen, pick up a faster GPU at that time. The advantage is, by then the 7850 will be much cheaper and/or will have been replaced with something more powerful.

can you say Catleap?

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Get 7850 and oc it

 

[guskline]

This looks very nice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150609

 

[lehtv]

6950 2GB $200 AR. 7850 costs $50 more but besides power consumption, there is little difference between the two at stock clocks. 7850 overclocks a lot better though, it's a beast for that purpose... if you change your mind about overclocking, go for 7850.

The next step up is a $400 GTX 670 or 7950, at least until NVIDIA releases more 600-series cards to fill the midrange.

 

[ajskydiver]

Thanks guys for all the input. I really appreciate it.

I've asked Newegg to auto-notify me on the sapphire and asus 7850 cards when they come back in stock.

 

[guskline]

Thanks guys for all the input. I really appreciate it.

I've asked Newegg to auto-notify me on the sapphire and asus 7850 cards when they come back in stock.

Good move. I'm sure you'll be pleased and CONGRATS on the new baby. I just became a grandfather again and it's great!

 

[JAG87]

6950 2GB $200 AR. 7850 costs $50 more but besides power consumption, there is little difference between the two at stock clocks. 7850 overclocks a lot better though, it's a beast for that purpose... if you change your mind about overclocking, go for 7850.

The next step up is a $400 GTX 670 or 7950, at least until NVIDIA releases more 600-series cards to fill the midrange.

I second this.

You can score a used 6950 for $200 which is almost identical to a 7850, or a used 6970 for $250, which is faster (but it uses more power). Better yet, if you don't plan to upgrade your monitor anytime soon, you can save a lot by going retro with a used 5870 1GB for around $150, and I bet you wouldn't even notice any difference.

The 7 series is just a piss poor value for your money.

 

[chimaxi83]

The 7 series is just a piss poor value for your money.

Not if you're talking a 7850, especially as an upgrade to what he has now. Seriously, a 5870? Why buy an old used card?

 

[Denithor]

can you say Catleap?

Excellent suggestion but 7850 and a new catleap screen aren't going to fit inside a $250 budget...

 

[JAG87]

Not if you're talking a 7850, especially as an upgrade to what he has now. Seriously, a 5870? Why buy an old used card?

Seeing how he doesn't have much time for gaming, perhaps it's in his interest to save $100?

Besides shaving off a few watts, there won't be much perceivable difference to him. I guess AF quality improved some with the 6 series (so if that's important to the OP, get the 6950), and the 7 series introduced zero core power... but besides that, nothing compelling to buy the 7 series.