New GPU?

[jfindon]

I have $100 in gift cards at Newegg. I was going to go for a GTX570 and then I saw this GTX580 with a rebate and promotional code...

So, here is the 570 I was looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130622

And here is the 580, though it's from a company I've never heard of:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814134124

Bottom line, I'll be getting the 570 for $250 and free Batman game or a 580 for $300... What should I do, and is it worth going this "high" if I don't feel like upgrading the rest of my system for a bit yet?

Rest of specs:

X3350@3.6GHZ
4GB of RAM
SSD
Abit IP35 motherboard
PC Power&Cooling 610w PSU (49A 12v rail)
8800GTS OC 512MB

 

[lehtv]

Gigabyte 570 $315 AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125384

Much quieter and cooler than EVGA SC. Factory OC at 780, will probably OC well beyond that given the great cooler. 3 yr warranty. + Free batman ofc.

Also might I suggest Sapphire 6950 2GB $245 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102945. Unlock + OC to 6970. It's already at least twice as fast as 8800GTS for $145 after the gift cards. GTX 570 would be one average ~15% faster than 6950 2GB for $215, or 50% more.

Also, monitor resolution is? What games do you play?

I think your CPU is still good :thumbsup:

 

[jfindon]

Gigabyte 570 $315 AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125384

Much quieter and cooler than EVGA SC. Factory OC at 780, will probably OC well beyond that given the great cooler. 3 yr warranty. + Free batman ofc.

Also might I suggest Sapphire 6950 2GB $245 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102945. Unlock + OC to 6970. It's already at least twice as fast as 8800GTS for $145 after the gift cards. GTX 570 would be one average ~15% faster than 6950 2GB for $215, or 50% more.

Also, monitor resolution is? What games do you play?

I think your CPU is still good :thumbsup:

I'm playing on a 24" 1920x1200 monitor. As for games, not many right now, but I do plan on playing the new Batman game, I play sports games, I'll pick up Skyrim, mess around with Crysis etc.

Not sure about the 6950, I'd have to look at how they compare again.

Any opinions on the GTX 580 that I can get for $300?

 

[lehtv]

Definitely not worth getting a 580, the reference cooler will be noticeably louder than either of the 6950 and 570 I linked, and it doesn't look like you need the extra speed. And the Gigabyte 570 would probably OC to 580 stock speeds or near there. Tbh, given the gift cards and that you're upgrading from a 8800GTS, I don't think the 570 is a good deal either. The 6950 2GB is what I'd go with.

 

[aphelion02]

I'm more of a fan of this 6950: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127588. Better cooler and a free game for just $10 more.

 

[lehtv]

But no dual-BIOS switch for trying to unlock it on a system with no secondary GPU to fall back on in case it fails (not a problem for the OP). Other than that I agree, MSI is better. $10 more though.

 

[cmdrdredd]

If you would consider a 6950 the Sapphire Dirt 3 and Toxic ones apparently all unlock with the switch. Mine will be here this week and I'll know for myself if it works.

The only thing I would say against that is the 570 is a bit faster at stock settings in BF3 which seems to be the hot reason to upgrade GPUs these days.

 

[RussianSensation]

If you are going to buy a GTX580, spend an extra $10 over the ECS version and get the Galaxy one for $430 with an Accelero Xtreme aftermarket cooler. Still, I am having a hard time recommending a GTX580 at $430 at this point:

1) You can almost get 2x HD6950 2GB in Cross Fire or 2x GTX560 Ti in SLI.
2) If you are willing to drop $430 on a GPU, this late in the 40nm generation, and with 28nm GPUs to launch really soon (prob 3-4 months tops), I'd wait.
3) If SLI/CF is not yout thing, an overclocked GTX570 presents better value for your resolution.

Personally, I'd rather save $140 and get a Galaxy GTX570 instead.