Graphics Card Suggestion-Should I wait?

[mfessler]

I just built a computer last week, and got everything but a graphics card. With the next line of GPUs right around the corner, would it be worth waiting for them, or just buy one now...thinking that the prices of the current GTX cards might drop with a new release coming? Was looking at getting a NVIDIA GPU, something in the GTX series. Looking to spend between 200-250 dollars, was thinking about getting this(URL below), was wondering what everyone thought/if you had any better suggestions for that price range?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-14130604-L03D

My Current Build:
~SSD 120G|OCZ VTX3-25SAT3-120G
~Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
~ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z LGA 1155 Intel Z68
~Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower
~CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX850
~G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

 

[mattdallastx]

What games will you be playing? What size monitor?

 

[mfessler]

I am using a 22" monitor, along side a 23" monitor, but use the 22" as my main as its better overall. I have resolution set at 1650X1050 right now, but wouldn't mind bumping it up. I am going to be playing Diablo III, which I know isn't that graphics intensive from what I have read, and at some point I will probably start to play Skyrim.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

My opinion is this is not a great time to buy. Prices have remained steady because no real price pressure. Wait a bit until the new cards debut then watch the rebates/sales start flying on previous gen cards.

Skyrim doesn't require high end card. Anything in the price range you are looking at will play high/ultra settings at that resolution.

If you can't wait newegg has a nice ZOTAC GeForce GTX 560 Ti for like $200.- Seems like a fair match to your system.

 

[RussianSensation]

Well HD7950 and 7970 are not going to cost $200-250, so no point in waiting for those. HD7870 won't launch until February 20th or so, which means 2 months of waiting!

Secondly, based on the specs of HD7870, it doesn't appear to be much better than HD6970.

That brings us to Diablo 3 - unknown performance, but none of Blizzard's games need anything more than an HD6850.

That brings us to SKYRIM.

Again, looks like HD6850 will give you > 60 fps in either resolution maxed out.

Unless you plan on doing mods, you don't need to spend $200-250 to get a good gaming experience for the 2 games you described.

IF you want a little headroom over 6850, the HD6870 is only $140. Or you can buy this Sapphire HD6870 for $149.99 with coupon code Santa for $10 OFF = $139.99 (after MIR). This card comes with a free Deus Ex game.

If in 2 years you move on to something that requires a faster GPU, next generation 28nm cards will be much cheaper. If you are playing more demanding games, then I'd recommend something like GTX560 Ti or HD6950 2GB *unlocked*.

But even then, HD6950 and GTX560 Ti are only 13-15% faster than an HD6870, for 50% higher price.

If you were playing BF3, Crysis 2, Metro 2033, Shogun 2, then it would be different. Based on your needs, HD6870 is a great card. Save your $ and upgrade later for a 50-75% performance increase!