Need help making a decision.

[justin4pack]

Ok so long story short, need a new GPU ASAP. GTX 480 @ $210, 6870 @ $205, GTX 560 ti 448 @ $260 or is it worth it to wait for 7850. i really cant wait for the 7850 but if its a very well worth wait then i can see.

 

[myocardia]

xx

 

[Zebo]

I never advise waiting but I'll quote toms this time.

"As a rule, I feel that waiting for “the next big thing” is a fool’s game when it comes to technology. But with two new architectures on the cusp of going head-to-head, weeks apart, this could an exception to that personal policy. "

Then again if you have to have a card right now the 480 is best deal assuming you don't mind noise and have a good high power PSU. I personally would wait for nV to match 7850's which arnt even out yet and let them fight. 480 is just too much ancillary issues for me like no Ocing hardly, loud, hot etc.

 

[Gloomy]

7850 is looking to be the new 6950. imo you should wait for it or pick up a 6950 2gb at the same price point. Performance/$ is identical (source: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/510?vs=549) but the 7850 seems to have a lot more OC headroom. Also keep in mind that prices on the 78xx are going to be inflated for a few weeks after launch as usual, so the 7850 probably wont launch at the $250 MSRP... probably more like 280-290.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

The GTX 480 really isn't a bad choice. Like you said, if you need a card NOW, then the GTX 480 will give you solid performance and at $210 great performance/$. Granted it is warm, if your furmark it, but like many other users of these cards have stated, during gaming it is acceptable.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Try to wait for the 7850, with a decent cooler it will be quieter and use much less power than the 560 ti.

Can you borrow an old card like a 4850 from a friend to tide you over? Prices and choices could change quite a bit over the next month.

 

[justin4pack]

no have no other cards available. what is the rec PS for the 480? i have a 600w

 

[wbynum]

I'd say go for the 480. Use it for a few months while things sort out with the new cards and then sell it if one of the new cards makes more sense. Going to be a while before any comparable card comes close to the $210 price of the 480.

As long as the 600w PS is a decent one it will be fine for a single 480.

 

[kalrith]

Keep this in mind. Unless you're going to get the 480 by Saturday, then you won't have it in your hands until after the 7850 is officially released (Monday). That might be kind of a letdown, although some people would rather have the 480 at $210 than the 7850 at $250.

 

[wbynum]

There is no guarantee that the 7850 will be a street price of $250. In the past some AMD cards have went up in price over time instead of going down. Supply and demand. Also, the benchmarks show the 7850 is at best equal to the 480 in games and worse in some games. Not a lot though. So the extra memory and lower noise/heat may be worth it to some for the higher price. Next week will be interesting.

 

[Blastman]

The 480 uses freaking 157 watts more than a 7850!. The 480 is a power sucking furnace.

Wait a week for the 7850. Besides using substantially less power it has more memory too (2GB vs 1.5).

 

[superjim]

If you're eye-balling the 7850, it's a mere 4 days away from being available. If you can find a 2GB 6950 for $230 or less that would be a no-brainer for me.

Also keep in mind that Newegg did not inflate prices on the 7900 series at launch. They were MSRP across the board.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Ok so long story short, need a new GPU ASAP. GTX 480 @ $210, 6870 @ $205, GTX 560 ti 448 @ $260 or is it worth it to wait for 7850. i really cant wait for the 7850 but if its a very well worth wait then i can see.

Also consider the $249 gtx570.

 

[Zebo]

All the good options a little over $200 are from nV. This 480, the 448s, the 570s and even the OCed 560tis like Zotac's AMP edition for $199. If you need one now pick one of those.

Honestly I'd get the $199 AMP. Its just as fast as 480/570, uses 30W less power, is much quieter, cheaper, and better resale being it's newer tech. Review here
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_560_Ti_Amp_Edition/22.html Like I said before I am biased against super inefficiency the 480 presents though so YMMV.

 

[philipma1957]

Ok so long story short, need a new GPU ASAP. GTX 480 @ $210, 6870 @ $205, GTX 560 ti 448 @ $260 or is it worth it to wait for 7850. i really cant wait for the 7850 but if its a very well worth wait then i can see.

MAYBE I am missing something but this is a lot less cash 150 after rebate for a 6870


http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2232690