gpu rec for 1200p gaming?

[fpliii]

Hey guys,

I just bit on the microcenter deal yesterday and picked up a 2600k and a z68 asrock extreme4 gen3 on sale.

I just sold my last GPU's (2x8800 GTS G92) a few days ago, and am looking to buy a new GPU for a 24" monitor in 1200p (I actually have a dual monitor setup, but I'd rather play on one screen for now). I want to play some games (BF3, M2033, maybe skyrim) as high as possible. So, I'm asking you guys for a rec. Here are a few other details:

• I don't really care about nVidia vs. AMD
• Please state the VRAM you're recommending (ex: 1.5GB vs 3GB gtx580)
• When are the next gen chips coming out for each company? If the next nVidia cards are coming out within 90 days, then I'll probably go EVGA for the step-up program
• I have a custom loop from my cpu, so I may cool the GPU(s) on H2O if I can find good waterblocks for cheap

Thanks in advance!

 

[tviceman]

if you want to play metro or bf3 at the highest settings possible and have the best frame rates, then you are looking at an hd6990 or gtx590. If those cost too much for you, then the answer is the gtx580 1.5gb. If you still don't want to spend that much, then the next step down would be either an hd6970 or gtx570.

No new high end cards are coming soon.

 

[fpliii]

if you want to play metro or bf3 at the highest settings possible and have the best frame rates, then you are looking at an hd6990 or gtx590. If those cost too much for you, then the answer is the gtx580 1.5gb. If you still don't want to spend that much, then the next step down would be either an hd6970 or gtx570.

No new high end cards are coming soon.

Is the 580 3gb worth it for me, or will I not need the extra vram in that resolution (one can be had bnib for 460, but I won't get a warranty)?

 

[Qbah]

Is the 580 3gb worth it for me, or will I not need the extra vram in that resolution (one can be had bnib for 460, but I won't get a warranty)?

If you decide to go with the GTX580, 1.5GB VRAM is more than enough for 1920x1200. So no, IMO 3GB on a GTX580 is not worth the extra cost.

 

[Stuka87]

I would say go SLI/CF with a cheaper card. Dual 2GB 6950's or dual 570's. I am sure BF3 release will run a bit better, but as of the beta, thats pretty much what you need to get solid FPS at ultra settings.

nVidia is a ways out for next gen cards. Rumor is AMD releases on December 6th.

 

[fpliii]

thanks so far for the advice, any other opinions?

 

[lehtv]

If you want to play at the highest settings, I'd recommend 6950 2GB Crossfire or GTX 570 SLI. Much better bang for buck than GTX 580... and before anyone says it, yes I'm aware that dual-GPU setups may not always work perfectly, but the fact is that Metro and BF3 won't run on ultra settings perfectly on any single GPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125384
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150549

 

[videopho]

either SLI or CF or nothing else.
A pair of 560ti's would kill a single 580.
even my pair of 460's beats or ties a single 580.

 

[toyota]

at 1920x1200, 1gb is not enough vram for some games on max settings. I would just get a regular gtx580 instead of fooling with multi gpu. 6950 2gb would be good for the money though if multi gpu does not matter.

 

[PrayForDeath]

at 1920x1200, 1gb is not enough vram for some games on max settings. I would just get a regular gtx580 instead of fooling with multi gpu. 6950 2gb would be good for the money though if multi gpu does not matter.

Going with a gtx580 is less hassle than a multi gpu setup, but it will be much slower. However, I've been hearing about micro-stuttering being an issue with some multi-gpu setups, so beware.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

at 1920x1200, 1gb is not enough vram for some games on max settings. I would just get a regular gtx580 instead of fooling with multi gpu. 6950 2gb would be good for the money though if multi gpu does not matter.

Stop spreading misinformation; that is patently false. The only recent game where it makes a difference is Metro 2033, and even then it's at 2560x1600 with 4xAA. At 1920x1200 with 4xAA there's zero difference. Zero, zilch, nada.

OP: Depending on your budget the best choice will range from the Radeon HD 6870, to the Radeon HD 6950 1GB, to the GeForce GTX 570.

 

[toyota]

http://media.bestofmicro.com/Z/4/309712/original/image005.png

http://media.bestofmicro.com/Z/7/309715/original/image008.png

http://media.bestofmicro.com/Z/A/309718/original/image011.png

http://media.bestofmicro.com/Z/D/309721/original/image014.png

http://media.bestofmicro.com/Z/G/309724/original/image017.png
http://media.bestofmicro.com/Z/I/309726/original/image019.png

http://media.bestofmicro.com/Z/J/309727/original/image020.png

Stop spreading misinformation; that is patently false. The only recent game where it makes a difference is Metro 2033, and even then it's at 2560x1600 with 4xAA. At 1920x1200 with 4xAA there's zero difference. Zero, zilch, nada.

OP: Depending on your budget the best choice will range from the Radeon HD 6870, to the Radeon HD 6950 1GB, to the GeForce GTX 570.

nice try but I have a gtx570 and most certainly see some games get close or even go over 1gb of vram at just 1920x1080. and I hate to burst your bubble, there can be hitching that does not always show up in benchmark. I know damn well because I even ran out of vram in some games with my gtx260 and where they were hitching at show vram being maxed out which certainly contributed. its only when you are well over the limit does the fps actually plummet.