GeForce GT 240 1GB(+hSLI 9400mGPU) vs. Radeon HD 5670 1GB

[RavenSEAL]

Links below are Newegg, had to tinyurl em just because it freezes when it goes to that dynamite thing.

Anyways, pretty self explanatory. I've been looking at video cards for about 2 weeks, narrowed it down to these 2 that are in my budget:


http://tinyurl.com/3ync9uo -ATI HD 5670
Brand
XFX
Model
HD-567X-ZNF3
Interface
PCI Express 2.0 x16
Chipset Manufacturer
ATI
GPU
Radeon HD 5670
Core Clock
775MHz
Stream Processors
400 Stream Processing Units
Memory
Effective Memory Clock
1000MHz (4.0Gbps effective)
Memory Size
1GB
Memory Interface
128-bit
Memory Type
DDR5
3D API
DirectX
DirectX 11
Ports
HDMI
1 x HDMI
DisplayPort
1 x DisplayPort
DVI
1 x DVI
General
Max Resolution
2560 x 1600
CrossFireX Support
Yes
Cooler
With Fan
System Requirements
Minimum 400 Watt or greater Power Supply Requirement
Dual-Link DVI Supported
Yes
HDCP Ready
Yes

Lifetime limited

This is the card, i know it...BUT...

Apparenly my mobo supports Hybrid SLI...So now i'm giving second thoughts about going with it, so i looked at nV cards to give it a fair chance and maybe get a few more FPS on game @ a higher resolution(That being 1280*1024)


The nVidia card i'm looking at is the GT240:

http://tinyurl.com/yaauusv
+9400mGPU--- http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9400_mgpu_us.html

Brand
Palit
Model
NE5T240SFHD01
Interface
PCI Express 2.0 x16
Chipset Manufacturer
NVIDIA
GPU
GeForce GT 240
Core Clock
585MHz
Shader Clock
1420MHz
Stream Processors
96

Effective Memory Clock
945MHz (3.78Gbps)
Memory Size
1GB
Memory Interface
128-bit
Memory Type
GDDR5
3D API
DirectX
DirectX 10.1
Ports
HDMI
1 x HDMI
D-SUB
1 x D-SUB
DVI
1 x DVI
General
RAMDAC
400 MHz
Max Resolution
2560 x 1600
SLI Support
No
Cooler
With Fan
System Requirements
Minimum 300W or greater system power supply
Dual-Link DVI Supported
Yes
HDCP Ready
Yes
Card Dimensions
PCB: 175mm(L) x 112mm(W)
Cooler: 2 slot
Bracket: 2 slot
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts
2 years limited
Labor
2 years limited

Again, this is only to get your thoughts on the hSLI mostly... I think the HD5670 is pretty much locked in


Thanks for reading and your thoughts are appreciated

 

[Termie]

IIRC, the GT240 won't work with hybrid SLI. Honestly, if you're looking to do some gaming, you probably are just as well ignoring your built-in graphics and getting the best card you can. The GT240 you linked, however, is very expensive due to its 1GB of DDR5. Not a very good deal, when that card really can't use so much RAM effectively. Why not the EVGA 512MB GDDR5 version for $50AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130533

The 5670 you chose is a bit expensive too. Why not this Sapphire version for $85FS/AR? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102869

Between those two choices, you really can't go wrong, unless you're looking to do some high resolution gaming, but then we'd need to know a bit more about your computer. Assuming you just want a step up from your built-in graphics, either is great.

 

[RavenSEAL]

IIRC, the GT240 won't work with hybrid SLI. Honestly, if you're looking to do some gaming, you probably are just as well ignoring your built-in graphics and getting the best card you can. The GT240 you linked, however, is very expensive due to its 1GB of DDR5. Not a very good deal, when that card really can't use so much RAM effectively. Why not the EVGA 512MB GDDR5 version for $50AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130533

The 5670 you chose is a bit expensive too. Why not this Sapphire version for $85FS/AR? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102869

Between those two choices, you really can't go wrong, unless you're looking to do some high resolution gaming, but then we'd need to know a bit more about your computer. Assuming you just want a step up from your built-in graphics, either is great.

I'll look into those, thanks. Truly, the highest ress gaming i'm looking to do is 1280*1024, i can't really guess how these 2 would perform at that resolution.


BTW, here are my system specs:

Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H
Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16Ghz (Wolfdale)
4 GB Corsair RAM
500GB WD Caviar HDD Black Edition
nVidia 9400 mGPU
400w Coolmax PSU

 

[CurseTheSky]

I would spend a little extra and go for the HD 5670 myself. Get a dual slot cooler - they're usually quieter (unless you can find a passive one).

Also, get rid of that Coolmax PSU. They're absolute junk and you're risking having it blow up and take other components with it. Grab something from Corsair, Seasonic or Antec - 350-400w is plenty.

 

[Termie]

I'll look into those, thanks. Truly, the highest ress gaming i'm looking to do is 1280*1024, i can't really guess how these 2 would perform at that resolution.


BTW, here are my system specs:

Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H
Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16Ghz (Wolfdale)
4 GB Corsair RAM
500GB WD Caviar HDD Black Edition
nVidia 9400 mGPU
400w Coolmax PSU

In this case, I'd get the GT240 512MB GDDR5 (not DDR3, which is much slower). At your resolution, you will not be able to take advantage of 1GB of Vram. The 5670 is great as well, but quite a bit more expensive right now and not significantly more powerful. Plus you can avoid having potential conflicts between nvidia and ati drivers.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I would spend a little extra and go for the HD 5670 myself. Get a dual slot cooler - they're usually quieter (unless you can find a passive one).

Also, get rid of that Coolmax PSU. They're absolute junk and you're risking having it blow up and take other components with it. Grab something from Corsair, Seasonic or Antec - 350-400w is plenty.

Yea, i'm looking into getting rid of it. I'm just happy it hasn't blown up yet. I might be ordering one this week depending how much i spend on the video card.

In this case, I'd get the GT240 512MB GDDR5 (not DDR3, which is much slower). At your resolution, you will not be able to take advantage of 1GB of Vram. The 5670 is great as well, but quite a bit more expensive right now and not significantly more powerful. Plus you can avoid having potential conflicts between nvidia and ati drivers.

(This is the part where i know nothing about video cards lol)
If it has more memory, wouldn't that mean it'd give me higher FPS? or does FPS depend on more factor than just memory? Is it the memory clock, whether its 128/256-bit that matters? I'd like some clarification on that.

 

[Termie]

Yea, i'm looking into getting rid of it. I'm just happy it hasn't blown up yet. I might be ordering one this week depending how much i spend on the video card.



(This is the part where i know nothing about video cards lol)
If it has more memory, wouldn't that mean it'd give me higher FPS? or does FPS depend on more factor than just memory? Is it the memory clock, whether its 128/256-bit that matters? I'd like some clarification on that.

In regard to PSUs, I agree yours isn't great, but I'm not sure you'll actually blow anything up with your low-power system and a new low-power GPU. No need to replace it just to run a GT240/5670, but if you want a higher-quality unit, Corsair has a new 430 watt model for around $50 that looks good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139017. It seems like their old 400w model (which I have) is EOL.

As for the VGA, basically, more memory is only helpful if you're pushing high resolutions or higher quality effects. It doesn't on its own speed things up. Faster memory, on the other hand, can be advantageous regardless of resolution/effects levels. On a slower VGA, there isn't usually a situation where more memory is necessary because the GPU itself can't push the higher effects that you'd be using the memory for.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Money is hopefully coming in tonight

Bumping thread to open recommendations of any card under 120 or even 150. Heck, if you can find one better than these two, i'll consider it. Only thing is that my PSU is cheap and only 400W, so nothing with 75w 6-Pin PCIe


Thank you

I'm also looking to get a 1080P LCD Monitor with HDMI, suggestions are also welcomed for that topic.

 

[Termie]

Money is hopefully coming in tonight

Bumping thread to open recommendations of any card under 120 or even 150. Heck, if you can find one better than these two, i'll consider it. Only thing is that my PSU is cheap and only 400W, so nothing with 75w 6-Pin PCIe


Thank you

I'm also looking to get a 1080P LCD Monitor with HDMI, suggestions are also welcomed for that topic.

Anything more powerful than a 5670 needs a PCIe power cable. So with your power supply, the best card you can get is the 5670.

But note that the EVGA GT240 has dropped to $40FS/AR, and at that price, it's a lot more bang for the buck than a 5670.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Anything more powerful than a 5670 needs a PCIe power cable. So with your power supply, the best card you can get is the 5670.

But note that the EVGA GT240 has dropped to $40FS/AR, and at that price, it's a lot more bang for the buck than a 5670.

What are your thoughts on this GPU? It just came up apparently!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130531


Looks sweet as hell!

Or should i still go with the regular one for 40 AR?

 

[badboyeee]

What are your thoughts on this GPU? It just came up apparently!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130531


Looks sweet as hell!

Or should i still go with the regular one for 40 AR?

the $40 AR one.. then just mildly OC it..

did u say what games you play?

 

[Phynaz]

New power supply plus a Radeon 5750 is within your $150 budget. Pretty darn good gaming at 12x10.

Edit: Oops, maybe not. I didn't know the 5750 was still $130.

 

[RavenSEAL]

the $40 AR one.. then just mildly OC it..

did u say what games you play?

MW2, some MMOs, BF2, couple of steam games, F.E.A.R, Mass Effect.

 

[Termie]

MW2, some MMOs, BF2, couple of steam games, F.E.A.R, Mass Effect.

You'll be great with that $40 GT240. The superclocked version just has slightly faster memory, nothing else. You can do that yourself, or just play at stock speeds and be happy.

 

[nenforcer]

Can you wait 2 more weeks? In late August nVidia is suppose to announce the mid and low range Fermi based GTX 455? and GTS 450? cards which are then suppose to be available in early September.

The GT240 supports DX 10.1 while the ATI 5670 does support DX11.

Things will get much more competive when these cards are announced.

I believe this is the reason GT 240 cards have been price reduced with rebates.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Can you wait 2 more weeks? In late August nVidia is suppose to announce the mid and low range Fermi based GTX 455? and GTS 450? cards which are then suppose to be available in early September.

The GT240 supports DX 10.1 while the ATI 5670 does support DX11.

Things will get much more competive when these cards are announced.

I believe this is the reason GT 240 cards have been price reduced with rebates.

Any idea what the pricing might be on those? I can wait if its only like 2 weeks.

 

[Termie]

Any idea what the pricing might be on those? I can wait if its only like 2 weeks.

I'm not sure anyone has a good grasp on upcoming pricing, but these cards will likely compete with the 5750/5770, and so will almost definitely be above $100 and probably closer to $150. Not even close to the class of cards you're looking at. For your purposes, a $40 GT240 is awesome. We're talking about a huge jump in price to the next level of nVidia or ATI card, so you'll have to decide if you need to make that jump. These graphs should help you decide: http://www.anandtech.com/show/2917/5. The new nVidia cards will likely provide about double the power of the GT240 (i.e. 5770-level) for 3-4 times the price.

 

[Phynaz]

Any idea what the pricing might be on those? I can wait if its only like 2 weeks.

It's rumored to be announced in two weeks.

Bet you that you will not actually be able to buy one at list price in two weeks.