Graphics card with most overclocking potential under $100

[squelchy451]

Hi

I have $100 for upgrading my GPU and I'm planning on overclocking it. Im keeping my i3 540 with the watercooling system. I haven't water cooled my previous GPU (9800 GT) but I'm planning on getting a universal water block.

So my question is, what graphics card can be overclocked the most under $100? I prefer AMD cards over nVidia. I have a GT430 for my HTPC and the driver's been crashing every other day.

Thanks!

 

[RavenSEAL]

Save up another $50 and get an hd 6870 which would be twice as fast as the 9800gt. Otherwise you'd just be sidegrading at that price range.

 

[Phynaz]

Do you want the most performance available or the best overclocker?

They aren't the same thing.

 

[squelchy451]

@RavenSEAL I don't need the best graphics ATM, as I mostly play MW2 and Bad Company 2

@Phynaz Give me both. I'll read reviews and see which one might be better.

 

[squelchy451]

System Specifications:

I. Processor/CPU: i3 540. Currently running at stock, but will overclock as necessary.


II. Current Graphics Card: 9800 GT


III. Display Resolution: 1440 x 900


IV. Power Supply Unit Specification (Brand, Wattage, Ampage, Age). If possible, please provide a link to a website containing the power supply specifications: Antec TruePower TP 550W


V. Case Specifications(N/A, Model, Length, Low Profile, Cooling, HTPC, Water, Silent): CoolerMaster Elite 343. Length's not a problem. Will be water-cooled.


Purchase Details:

I. Budget? Please be sure to include currency (If not USD), retailer preferences & specify whether rebates are a viable option. $100


II. Any particular preferences (Manufacturer[nV or AMD], Brand[XFX, Sapphire, EVGA, etc], Cooling Solutions)? AMD preferred. Don't know enough about brands.


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? Not really


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? Games. MW2 and Battlefield 2. As high detail while keeping >50 FPS.


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

 

[RavenSEAL]

Again, anything around $100 would be a sidegrade.

 

[Termie]

Do you want the highest overclock or the most performance at $100? Highest performance will almost certainly be the 6770: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102940

Note that the new cheaper 6770s listed on Newegg have been down-spec'd (core/memory clocks) and don't have a crossfire bridge. Skip them. They won't overclock. And no, a standard 6770 is not a sidegrade from an 8800gt. It should be about 40-50% faster.

Now, if you're willing to spend up and want huge overclock potential, you could get the 7770 for $130 (current sale price): http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=A271-7770

Here's a test of the pre-OC'd version of that card, but the standard edition should come close in headroom: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/xfx_sapphire_hd7770/6.htm

 

[RavenSEAL]

Do you want the highest overclock or the most performance at $100? Highest performance will almost certainly be the 6770: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102940

Note that the new cheaper 6770s listed on Newegg have been down-spec'd (core/memory clocks) don't have a crossfire bridge. Skip them. They won't overclock. And no, a standard 6770 is not a sidegrade from an 8800gt. It should be about 40-50% faster.

Now, if you're willing to spend up and want huge overclock potential, you could get the 7770 for $130 (current sale price): http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=A271-7770

Here's a test of the pre-OC'd version of that card, but the standard edition should come close in headroom: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/xfx_sapphire_hd7770/6.htm

He said he has a 9800gt...

 

[Carmen813]

The new Radeon 7750 should be around that price range.

Here you go:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969

Comes with Dirt 3 too.

 

[MrK6]

The new Radeon 7750 should be around that price range.

Here you go:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102969

Comes with Dirt 3 too.

Yep. 28 nm would be the way to go for overclocking potential.

 

[Termie]

He said he has a 9800gt...

Same card. Come on Raven, you know the game!

As for 7750, that is too close to a 9800gt, and significantly slower than the much cheaper 6770.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Same card. Come on Raven, you know the game!

As for 7750, that is too close to a 9800gt, and significantly slower than the much cheaper 6770.

Haha, I've been out of it for too long.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Op,just grab a 768mb gtx460.

I was just using a nvidia card,a 2gb gtx560 with no driver issues with BC2 or any other game with 285.62.

BC2 even fully maxed out won't touch 768mb of vram at 1080p i know,i still play it every day online and it would be plenty of gpu,but the 6850 or 6870 if you must have ati is gonna be the best option or worthy upgrade.