GTX 660 or AMD Offering?

ctsoth

Member
Feb 6, 2011
148
0
0
System Specifications:

1. CPU: AMD A8-3870k @ 3.6ghz
2. Current GPU: llano IGP.
3. Display Resolution: 1080p, 42in HDTV
4. Antec Neo Eco 400w power supply. It has 1x 6 pin power connector.
5. Fractal Design Arc Midi

Budget: ~200-230 usd

Brand Preferences: None

Intentions of SLI/Crossfire: Possibly. I may build an intel haswell rig late this year. If so the llano rig will function as an HTPC and I will likely transfer the gpu to the new rig.

Products Under Consideration: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000626

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102999

Needs of GPU: Skyrim, Dota 2, World of Tanks, possibly Planetside 2

Additional Considerations: nVidia has a new promotion offering $50 in game currency for 3 games, one of which is world of tanks, a game I do play, and another is planetside 2, which a friend of mine has been trying to get me to play. I have no interest in the AMD game bundles.

Also, does the gtx 660 or the hd7850 produce a higher quality image? Does physx really matter? Does using a molex to 6 pin adapter work?
 
Last edited:

Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
2,375
0
76
The 7850 will definitely provide a better image, especially after an overclock (because you can turn up settings higher). If you overclock, it can basically perform as well as a $300 card. It also comes with 2 AAA games rather than credit.

Physx can look better, but I don't notice the difference.
 

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,209
50
91
The 7850 will definitely provide a better image, especially after an overclock (because you can turn up settings higher). If you overclock, it can basically perform as well as a $300 card. It also comes with 2 AAA games rather than credit.

Physx can look better, but I don't notice the difference.

Wut? Will provide a better image?
A GTX660 performs in between a GTX570 and GTX580 which is right where a 7870 performs. A 7850 would be slower.

OP, I have just purchased the eVGA GTX660 SC (superclocked and performs similarly to a GTX580) card for 209.00 on sale. You can even do better now. I'm seeing similar cards for 189.99 AMIR. ( I hate rebates and don't even acknowledge them when I buy) but you might, so I'm mentioning it.
 

daveybrat

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jan 31, 2000
5,725
943
126
I personally bought this model just 2 months ago and couldn't be happier.

Not as long as most 660's and the Twin Frozer III heatsink is so quiet and cool running.

It's factory overclocked but unfortunately out of stock right now at Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127699

MSI N660 TF 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
I would go for the GTX660 Gigabyte or Asus DirectCUII 660. Reference designed GTX600 cards like the EVGA GTX660 you linked have crappy coolers. You'll be CPU bottlenecked in many cases even with a GTX660. If you are going to get a Haswell CPU later, then grab the 660 for now. Just keep this in mind.

World%20of%20Tanks%20processors.png

ps2%20proz%202.png
 
Last edited:

Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
2,375
0
76
Hmmm... Actually, looking at your games, I suppose you could get the 660 and enjoy the bonus package. The 660 performs better out of the box, but the 7850 will overclock higher (and you'll get a new game, if you want it). They cost about the same, so it's up to you to weigh each side.
 

Rvenger

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator <br> Video Cards
Apr 6, 2004
6,283
5
81
I have a GTX 660 with a 4ghz A8-5600k and its bottlenecking pretty bad. I'm getting about 50-60% GPU usage in BF3. It might work better on the old Llano stars cores though but I thought I'd share anyhow.
 

LOL_Wut_Axel

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2011
4,310
8
81
Get the HD 7870 or HD 7870 Tahiti LE (PowerColor Myst/Sapphire XT) instead. They are all better options at that price range.
 

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
11,567
2,626
136
I have a GTX 660 with a 4ghz A8-5600k and its bottlenecking pretty bad. I'm getting about 50-60% GPU usage in BF3. It might work better on the old Llano stars cores though but I thought I'd share anyhow.

Your CPU should be right on par with his.
 

Rvenger

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator <br> Video Cards
Apr 6, 2004
6,283
5
81
I would go with the nvidia offering. OP if you want me to run some benches let me know.

7870xt will suck down too much juice for his PSU.
 
Last edited:

Red Hawk

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2011
3,266
169
106
A 7870 XT will physically not work with his PSU. It only has one PCI-e power connector. Same with an ordinary 7870. Tahiti LE takes up more power than Tahiti "Pro" (7950), so I wouldn't trust it on that power supply anyways.
 
Last edited:

Rikard

Senior member
Apr 25, 2012
428
0
0
If you are in to modding Skyrim you need as much memory as you can get. I top my usage at about 2850 MB, and there is no way the game would look as good if I did not have 3 GB on the card. However, with your weak PSU and the fact that you actually will have use of the F2P offering I think 660 is the better choice for you unless you are willing to spend more.
 

shady28

Platinum Member
Apr 11, 2004
2,520
397
126
System Specifications:

1. CPU: AMD A8-3870k @ 3.6ghz
2. Current GPU: llano IGP.
3. Display Resolution: 1080p, 42in HDTV
4. Antec Neo Eco 400w power supply. It has 1x 6 pin power connector.
5. Fractal Design Arc Midi

Budget: ~200-230 usd

You're going to be CPU limited with llano on any high end GPU.

IMO you would be better off getting a 2GB 650TI and spending the saved money on an SSD or something along those lines. 400W is going to be kind of pushing it on higher end cards, but should be fine with a 650 TI.
 

Midwayman

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
5,723
325
126
The power supply is killing you. AMD has better hardware at that price. The 660 wants a 450 watt supply according to spec. You're really pushing it with it. If you're planning on building a new rig soon anyways you might want to spring for a new power supply now as that will open your options in GPUs considerably. If you buy a GPU to suit your PS now you'll just handicap yourself when you upgrade your cpu.
 

LOL_Wut_Axel

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2011
4,310
8
81
A 7870 XT will physically not work with his PSU. It only has one PCI-e power connector. Same with an ordinary 7870. Tahiti LE takes up more power than Tahiti "Pro" (7950), so I wouldn't trust it on that power supply anyways.

Uh, yes... and? That's why molex-to-PCIe adapters exist.
 

ctsoth

Member
Feb 6, 2011
148
0
0
Though I haven't placed the order yet, I have decided I will likely buy a 7950 + a new PSU, put those into my current system, and then transfer them out when I build my Haswell rig. Thank you for the suggestions. I agree with a comment made, that buying a graphics card with my current PSU in mind would be kinda silly.
 

LOL_Wut_Axel

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2011
4,310
8
81
...oh. That's why. :oops:

Of course. :awe:

Though I haven't placed the order yet, I have decided I will likely buy a 7950 + a new PSU, put those into my current system, and then transfer them out when I build my Haswell rig. Thank you for the suggestions. I agree with a comment made, that buying a graphics card with my current PSU in mind would be kinda silly.

Getting a new PSU along with an HD 7950 sounds like an even better idea. There's no better high-end graphics card for the money.