GPU advice sought

[marlinman]

Friends -

I'm having trouble deciding on a gaming GPU with which to replace my ancient 9600GT. Tom's latest 'Best Graphics Cards For The Money' article has been my main guide, but as I live in New Zealand, I'm not sure how well it 'translates' to local conditions. My only real concern is price vs performance, and to this end I've determined the lowest local prices at which select GPUs on each level of Tom's 'Graphics Cards Hierarchy Chart' can be found. My results (in order of chart level):

GTX590/HD6990: unavailable
GTX580: $741
GTX570: $510
GTX560Ti [1Gb]/HD6950 [2Gb]: $381/$438
HD6870: $312
HD6850: $241

Does anything stand out on this list as a more- or less-attractive option? I'm quite prepared to SLI/CF if need be as I'm in need of a new M/B as well (farewell P965DS3!!!), and am also in the market for a TFT, so gruntiness @2560x1600 may be required.

Appreciate any thoughts...

Edit: this card will form part of a new rig I'm putting together; the antiquity of my current hardware is a non-issue!

 

[AnandThenMan]

It really depends on what kind of games you like to play. Need more info on what your expectations and needs are, but at your resolution you are probably going to need at least a 6950.

 

[RussianSensation]

What CPU do you have?

Assuming you are not using a dual-core and your P965 DS3 was powering at least a 65nm quad such as the Q6600/Q6700 (and hopefully you overclocked that processor to 3.2-3.4ghz ), I would say based on those listed prices and your desire to game at 2560x1600, the HD6950 2GB looks pretty good (esp. if you unlock the shaders into a 6970). It will be within a hair of the 570 at that resolution.

HD7000 series may launch this fall. So if you are willing to wait 2-3 months, we may see the new generation of cards. HD6900 series is barely 10-15% faster than the HD5870 (a card which came out in September of 2009). If you are going to drop $400+ on a card, the 28nm generation may bring a huge performance increase.

Of course, I don't know how long it takes for NZ to get new cards vs. US launches.

 

[bryanW1995]

Yes, games/cpu info/monitor resolution are all quite important if we're going to help you.

 

[marlinman]

Thanks guys. You both mention the 6950, which I must admit was appealing greatly to me earlier today. (That THG article lists a pair of the 2Gb 6950s in CrossFire as its priciest recommendation, which might explain its subconscious appeal to me! I could live with one now, and grab another just before they go the way of the dodo.)

@AnandThenMan: I'm after a card that's up to displaying Rage and Skyrim at their best! Currently playing Witcher 2 on the 9600GT which ain't pretty...

@RussianSensation: alas, I have an e4300 1.8GHz! But I run it of course at 2.88Ghz. I'm essentially slowly building a new rig tho' so this CPU too will ultimately be consigned to (my) history. There's a lot of 'may's attached to what you say about the HD7ks - I'm not sure I can wait that long anyway =)

Edit: @bryanW1995: thanks to you too! Hope I've said enough...

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The 6850 strikes me as the best deal with your current setup and at its current price. It's way cheaper than anything else, so for price/performance alone it is the best option.

When you happen to get a new processor then you can add another 6850. Or better yet, try to upgrade your processor now. The E4300 is ancient. If you're getting a new motherboard you should really consider just going to a new platform, which would mean a new processor and maybe new RAM at the same time, because, at least here in the US, Core 2 Quads and LGA 775 are overpriced and dwindling on supply, so I'm betting it's even worse in NZ. You're better off getting a new platform with plenty of options and support instead of wasting money on LGA 775.

 

[timma]

buy 6850 OC+1

 

[RussianSensation]

@RussianSensation: alas, I have an e4300 1.8GHz! But I run it of course at 2.88Ghz.

Ok with that CPU, you are better off with grabbing an HD6850 + OCing / 6870 and waiting until a full platform upgrade before jumping to faster cards.

 

[marlinman]

Is an OCd 6850 (or even two of 'em) likely to cope with Rage/Skyrim? I really don't mind being cpu-bound by the e4300 for a while as I upgrade platform. Better than two GPU upgrades within the space of a few months!

 

[cusideabelincoln]

A single 6850 should definitely cope with those games. Two of them will probably max them out. The other cards are expensive compared to the 6850. Two 6850s should net you performance better than a 570 and 6950 and if you buy right now they end up cheaper than the 570 and close to the price of a single 6950. If money isn't a terrible concern you can step up to a 6870, 560 Ti, or 6950. I probably wouldn't recommend higher than that as the other cards get way more expensive.

 

[toyota]

Is an OCd 6850 (or even two of 'em) likely to cope with Rage/Skyrim? I really don't mind being cpu-bound by the e4300 for a while as I upgrade platform. Better than two GPU upgrades within the space of a few months!

I do not think Rage is going to be a gpu killer. have you watched any of the videos? what looked decent 3 years ago looks mediocre today if scrutinized. for a game that talked about textures so much it has some horrible looking ones in obvious spots.

a 6850 is already going to be severally held back for the months it takes you to get a new cpu. and you think you do not mind but once you try running games at settings a 6850 can handle you may not like the results in more cpu intensive games.

 

[marlinman]

Thanks to all - I've plumped for a single 2Gb HD6950 (Sapphire) and will throw in another if I need to once other parts upgraded.