i5-3570K HD4000 vs dedicated graphics card?

[jfls45]

i5-3570K HD4000 upgrade to PCI graphics card?

I just built a new computer with the following:

Cooler Master Gladiator 600 case
i5-3570K CPU Intel HD 4000 Integrated graphics
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H
Corsair H60 Liquid Cooler
Corsair CX600M PSU
Samsung 120GB 840 Series SSD
Crucial DDR3 8Gb Ram

I am using the onboard graphics with dual monitors. I want to add a GPU. I am a light gamer and would like to play occasional BF3 on good graphics settings.

What is the best card that will allow me to hook up two monitors, (1 DVI, & 1 HDMI connection) for under $125.00?

I am lost trying to figuring out the Radeon and Nvidia model numbers and how one card is better or worse than the other.

Do I stick to a 1GB GDDR5 card or better to go with a 2GB GDDR3 card?

Jfls45

 

[vampirr]

1Gb GDDR5 is better, can you push for another 25$ and buy a Radeon HD 7790? It beats 650ti and you can play Battlefield 3 at 1080 at 45-60fps with settings set to High-Ultra... Depending on the map...

Radeon HD 7790 is now the best low-mid range card.

 

[24601]

GTX 560 Ti for $90-120 on ebay is also a pretty good deal if you don't care at all about power draw.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/nvidia-Gefo...555?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item232955ddcb

It beats 7850 stock in Battlefield 3 and has far more memory bandwidth than the 7790.

 

[kingkung]

Too bad I didn't still have my gtx570 that I sold for 125$

 

[evident]

my HTPC has an i3-3225 w/ HD4000 graphics. I can't even play sonic on it that well at 1080p. just get a Radeon HD 7770 for cheap if you can.

 

[yhelothar]

HD4000 should have PS3/xbox360 level of graphics power now, if I remember correctly.

 

[Yuriman]

7850's are a bit above your budget but they come with a voucher for some "free" games which you can sell on eBay for around $70. If you're willing to do that you can probably swing a 2GB model.

 

[Pohemi]

...would like to play occasional BF3 on good graphics settings...

I can't even play sonic on it that well at 1080p. just get a Radeon HD 7770 for cheap if you can.

A 7770 is not going to be able to push BF3 at much more than low settings, especially on MP maps.
If it's one or the other, you are better off going with the 1GB of GDDR5 than 2GB of DDR/GDDR3. More VRAM doesn't mean squat if it's being choked with the lower bandwidth memory bus.

I'd recommend a 560ti, 650, or the HD 7790. You'll have to look at comparisons to make your own decision, but if you can find a card with 192 or 256bit memory, aim for that. Worry about the amount of RAM after that IMHO.