Need to buy a new GPU exclusively for BF3 & Skyrim

[cmdrdredd]

If you cared so much for MSAA in deferred rendering games where its ineffective at reducing jagged edges and cause texture blurring.. then you may have a point.

The engine you're talking about and refuse to name is Frostbite 2 am I right? The engine was designed so that MSAA offers a softer image.

It's not the only game where the AMD cards have trouble with MSAA either. There's other methods of AA you could use though for sure. The other issue is tessellation. Apparently so far Nvidia hardware is doing faster Tessellation.

 

[bryanW1995]

Are you looking for a card too? If so, i would suggest holding out for a couple weeks for the holiday deals to show up. The new gf110 Nvidia GPU should be interesting. o would imagine it would be the best bang for the buck. Regardless, all prices will be good.

If you cant wait there are some GTX480 for 220-250. My friend got one for $235 from a surplus store. I can get the link, but i believe you can find them on google -shopping search.

I never payed the 480 much mind but he has really got me pretty interested myself. Its a lot more powerful than my 460 and its impressive

No need to wait, that gtx 480 for $182 AR was the best deal I've seen in a long time.

 

[Concillian]

A 5770 would get crushed by that resolution in either game, especially BF3.

Interesting.

Don't tell my computer that, because I run the BF3 beta just fine at 1920x1200 with an OCed 5770.

At max settings? No, of course not.
But it still looks WAY better than a console and is smooth to play. when I got to whatever 28nm I decide on, then I'll get a nice bump in graphical features.

 

[Concillian]

28nm will be a huge jump, but it looks like high-end 28nm cards won't be here until Q1 2012 at the earliest and likely Q2 2012 for NV.

He's looking at something like a 6950-6970... the midrange cards of 7 series generation, according to the specs Tom's got ahold of, are going to be around this level of performance, priced like a midrange card, and will consume power like a 5770. I'm sure nVidia's offerings will be similar.

This will put significant downward pricing pressure on the current gen if you like current gen cards.

This is lame duck season on video cards. Given how stagnant the landscape has been over the last almost 2 years, it's quite possibly the worst 3 months ever to buy a video card.

 

[RussianSensation]

This is lame duck season on video cards. Given how stagnant the landscape has been over the last almost 2 years, it's quite possibly the worst 3 months ever to buy a video card.

Not sure about ever, but it's not the greatest time to spend $250 on a 40nm GPU.

I generally agree on this, unless you can find a killer deal like a $175-200 GTX480/570/6970, etc. or say a GTX580 for $250 (Ya just made that # up).

HD6950s have been widely available for $230-240 in February 2011. I have no idea why so many people are still buying these cards at their current $230-250 prices. Why didn't they just buy them 8 months ago? This close to a new generation, I probably wouldn't spend $250 or more on a 40nm GPU unless it was a GTX580.

 

[bryanW1995]

People are buying the cards now b/c they need them to play bf3, and skyrim/diablo are on the way soon. Back in feb there wasn't much reason to upgrade.

 

[RussianSensation]

People are buying the cards now b/c they need them to play bf3, and skyrim/diablo are on the way soon. Back in feb there wasn't much reason to upgrade.

It's just unfortunate for many people now upgrading for BF3 that neither camp was able to get their 28nm GPUs out in time. If AMD release HD7950 for $270-300 within the next 3 months, the current HD6950 $240 or a GTX570 for $280 may suddenly feel like a wasted investment.

 

[Silverforce11]

"BF3 is responsible for billions of $$ in hardware upgrades" - Analyst i can't be arsed to find the URL.

Big AAA titles, especially MP game of the year has a huge drive factor for the entire industry. It's good that BF3 is demanding on hardware. Imagine if CoD Black Ops was actually not a console port, lots of ppl would have upgraded earlier.

 

[cmdrdredd]

It's just unfortunate for many people now upgrading for BF3 that neither camp was able to get their 28nm GPUs out in time. If AMD release HD7950 for $270-300 within the next 3 months, the current HD6950 $240 or a GTX570 for $280 may suddenly feel like a wasted investment.

Yeah that's kind of the problem right now for me. I don't have a DX11 card at all and was thinking of what to get. I jumped on a Sapphire HD6950 just yesterday. Be here in the middle of next week. Supposedly they unlock with the BIOS switch. Anyway I just hope I don't regret it or that suddenly the card looks like junk lol.

It would at least match my GTX 295 mostly and that's alright to me. I really just wanted a DX11 card for the extra eye candy.

 

[slayernine]

Ok guys, I pulled the trigger based on the feedback.

Bought this:
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-DL-DV...9830824&sr=8-1

Will be delivered today $244 after rebate. Not a bad price Thanks everyone!

Nice looking card, now I want one. My XFX 5870 is jealous :{

 

[slayernine]

"BF3 is responsible for billions of $$ in hardware upgrades" - Analyst i can't be arsed to find the URL.

Big AAA titles, especially MP game of the year has a huge drive factor for the entire industry. It's good that BF3 is demanding on hardware. Imagine if CoD Black Ops was actually not a console port, lots of ppl would have upgraded earlier.

Other games coming out that you may want to upgrade for in November include:

1. Skyrim

2. CODMW3

3. MINECRAFT

That last one can really be quite demanding you know. Might need to SLI four 6950's to keep the frame rate smooth.

 

[Crap Daddy]

MW3? It works flawlesly on an ATI 3870.

 

[slayernine]

MW3? It works flawlesly on an ATI 3870.

Yes... and my friend tells me he runs BF3 on ultra settings on his 5670. Depends on your definition of flawlessly.

 

[Rhezuss]

If it's at least 9" long it's good.