Official GTX560 Review Thread (updated with 17 reviews at this time)

[blanketyblank]

interesting that the AT review is showing 6950 1GB consistently higher than 560 at 2560 x 1600 and strangely equal to 6950 2GB as well. Looks like once resolution is lowered though the 560 can beat 6950 at least in games like Hawx. Makes me wonder why since both have same amount of RAM (though RAM doesn't even seem to make any difference at 2560 x 1600 in the games tested).
btw are we sure 6950 1 GB is locked?

 

[evolucion8]

Well, AMD cards are known to be very efficient with their VRAM usage, but at such resolution is kinda odd.

 

[jonks]

In same boat as you. Been waiting for this day but I'm going to take my time and make sure I get the right one. Still reading...

ack. Now the 6870s are available around $200 with MIR and looking at the benchmarks they're more or less even with the 560s. Sure I want the shiny new thing, but $50 (25%) more for a few fps? goddamnit i hate picking a new card.

 

[badb0y]

Dude, you seriously need to take a break and have another look...NOT once did I question performance % hits!, thats was you FW....Check out the 1st and 2nd paragraghs, did I mention anything but playable rates?...

Now I understand that you have a 6950 and IYO, the sun shines out its ass, but please, take a breath, have I once slagged the product?...eh?

Functionally is not about writing off one feature to the other, I am discussing, questioning and stating my opinion as is my prerogative, if you have issues with that?, that is your problem not mine. Now stop acting like your username, join in the discussion and cease being a fanboy or ah heck off!

I switch my graphics card faster than people switch their underwears, so please keep the snarky comments to yourself.

I was actually pointing out your fallacy of writing off eyefinity as something that a single HD 6950 can't handle while you listed the 3D vision as something a single GTX 560 would excel in. You want a discussion? Leave your preference outside of the table and bring the numbers in like I did.

 

[SaoFeng]

i just bought an evga gtx 470...for $280 from Microcenter....

should i get this card instead?

 

[SolMiester]

I switch my graphics card faster than people switch their underwears, so please keep the snarky comments to yourself.

I was actually pointing out your fallacy of writing off eyefinity as something that a single HD 6950 can't handle while you listed the 3D vision as something a single GTX 560 would excel in. You want a discussion? Leave your preference outside of the table and bring the numbers in like I did.

FFS, show where I said the 560 will excel in 3D!, you cant because I never said that...You are the one with the snarky comments boy and you are really starting to pi** me off.

No body here has to leave preferences at the DOOR ( get the metaphor correct DH) I cant believe you have the audacity to comment about preference as it is obvious to all that many here do have such views, and while I shouldn't even be answering your dribble it infuriates me that you should insinuate such nonsense. Stop being over sensitive about your card kid, and for Christ sake, learn to read properly.

Good night!


Say it with me, let's take it slowly at first "Sim...er...dawn...nah"

Now say it faster: Simmer Down NOW!

Moderator Idontcare

 

[GaiaHunter]

i just bought an evga gtx 470...for $280 from Microcenter....

should i get this card instead?

The GTX560 would be a much better overall card than the GTX470. 6950 is also a card to consider.

If you can change it I would go for it.

 

[Jodiuh]

ack. Now the 6870s are available around $200 with MIR and looking at the benchmarks they're more or less even with the 560s.

Yeah, I fell for that too. W/ 6870 and 470 in hand, here's how it played out. The 6870 feels much slower in this game when playing online...much slower.

 

[bryanW1995]

lol well the GTX 570 is still gonna be the best value gfx card out there even after the 560 is out IMO

only if you're at 1920x1200 and max out AA/AF on very demanding games. at lower res gtx 560 ti is better, and at higher res 6970 is better.

 

[bryanW1995]

Because EVGA has a lifetime warranty on these, and they don't care if you fry your card because of overclocking, or if you put on an aftermarket heatsink, etc.

only if you get an AR version. the cheapest evga cards are KR's.

 

[SaoFeng]

The GTX560 would be a much better overall card than the GTX470. 6950 is also a card to consider.

If you can change it I would go for it.

Thanks.

I do photo/video work so I think sticking w/nvidia because of the CUDA technology is best...

 

[SaoFeng]

also, does it matter what brand i get? or is there a preferred brand to get?

thanks all.

 

[Abel007]

Jesus, what a mess a couple of people have turned this thread into. Not really surprised I suppose.

I ordered the MSI GTX 560 TWIN FROZR card from Amazon (Had several gift cards from Christmas) and awaiting it's arrival tomorrow. I only do 1920x1080 gaming and feel this card will suffice for a good while. Will post what it is like to overclock as soon as I get done playing with it.

 

[sticks435]

only if you get an AR version. the cheapest evga cards are KR's.

Which at the moment, the AR are the only 2 versions available. I know the KR are cheaper, but they still carry a 3 year warranty with registration, and you can bump it up to 5 for $15. Even with the 3, the same rules apply. Though this round I think I'll go with one of the 1Gz cards. Seems like it takes Evga a long time to come out with their top models.

 

[Nged72]

Which at the moment, the AR are the only 2 versions available. I know the KR are cheaper, but they still carry a 3 year warranty with registration, and you can bump it up to 5 for $15. Even with the 3, the same rules apply. Though this round I think I'll go with one of the 1Gz cards. Seems like it takes Evga a long time to come out with their top models.

I agree. Im just debating between the ASUS, FrozrII, and SOC. Leaning toward the MSI.

 

[bryanW1995]

But the difference is it cost 75$ more, so it should slaughter it correct? Another difference is the 1000 core gtx560 is garaunteed just like the gtx570 stock core. And both cards will still overclock futher.

I still think it depends on resolution. at 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 a stock gtx 560ti would be my first choice. at 1920x1200 I'd get a 2gb 6950 and unlock it, and at 2560x1600 I'd get a gtx 580 or perhaps a dual card setup.

 

[drizek]

interesting that the AT review is showing 6950 1GB consistently higher than 560 at 2560 x 1600 and strangely equal to 6950 2GB as well. Looks like once resolution is lowered though the 560 can beat 6950 at least in games like Hawx. Makes me wonder why since both have same amount of RAM (though RAM doesn't even seem to make any difference at 2560 x 1600 in the games tested).
btw are we sure 6950 1 GB is locked?

HAWX has high tesselation, which gives nvidia the advantage.

 

[jonks]

So I've got an i5 760, GTX 260c216, and 22" 1680x1050 lcd which I don't think I'll be upgrading in the near future. Even with my 2 year old card I've been able to max out all but a handful of games (crysis, just cause 2, metro2033, etc) but don't have dx11, and I would like to max out in pretty much all games, which at my native rez is quite doable with an upgrade.

Pretty much any $220-250 card will double (or more) my fps. I'm leaning heavily towards the base Gigabyte 560 which comes clocked @ 900mhz for $250. I don't see any particular reason to wait for a review of this specific card and I've seen the benchs of the base models and the 1ghz card so I can guestigauge the performance.

I'm essentially ready to hit the purchase button. Anyone see any glaring flaws in this plan or any reason to wait?

 

[busydude]

Anyone see any glaring flaws in this plan or any reason to wait?

Nop, I think you will be happy with your purchase.

 

[Idontcare]

So I've got an i5 760, GTX 260c216, and 22" 1680x1050 lcd which I don't think I'll be upgrading in the near future. Even with my 2 year old card I've been able to max out all but a handful of games (crysis, just cause 2, metro2033, etc) but don't have dx11, and I would like to max out in pretty much all games, which at my native rez is quite doable with an upgrade.

Pretty much any $220-250 card will double (or more) my fps. I'm leaning heavily towards the base Gigabyte 560 which comes clocked @ 900mhz for $250. I don't see any particular reason to wait for a review of this specific card and I've seen the benchs of the base models and the 1ghz card so I can guestigauge the performance.

I'm essentially ready to hit the purchase button. Anyone see any glaring flaws in this plan or any reason to wait?

It is a good upgrade IMO for your situation. These $200-$250 upgrades are the cherry spot for the bulk of us I suspect.

Another $200-$250 upgrade to consider is getting your OS onto an SSD. I did that before upgrading my 8600GT to a GTX460, loved it.

As to whether or not you should upgrade to a 560 specifically, or consider a 6950 1GB...I 110% endorse Ryan's position that it depends on which secondary feature-set you currently are invested in or are more likely to invest in while owning the card (CUDA vs. Eyefinity). If "neither" is the answer then go with whatever floats your boat.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

HAWX has high tesselation, which gives nvidia the advantage.

Hawx, both 1 and 2, favor Nvidia over AMD even without tessellation.

 

[Moonzi]

With no interest in OC'n, never playing the higher res then 1920X1200, NVidia drivers being better, the length of the cards (I think I read GTX 560's are predominately around 9 inches?) and looking in the 200-250 market I think I'm going to finally switch over to NVidia. The XFire 5770's were great, but I don't think they ever reached their full potential on my board with the second PCIE slot only going at X4. If there was a fix for that it's my own fault.

Thanks for the forum, it's been a great read and very helpful even with all the valid back and forth points.

 

[jonks]

It is a good upgrade IMO for your situation. These $200-$250 upgrades are the cherry spot for the bulk of us I suspect.

Another $200-$250 upgrade to consider is getting your OS onto an SSD. I did that before upgrading my 8600GT to a GTX460, loved it.

As to whether or not you should upgrade to a 560 specifically, or consider a 6950 1GB...I 110% endorse Ryan's position that it depends on which secondary feature-set you currently are invested in or are more likely to invest in while owning the card (CUDA vs. Eyefinity). If "neither" is the answer then go with whatever floats your boat.

Thanks, I pulled the trigger on it. No use for Eyefinity and those cuda effects on the water in JC2 were nifty. Onboard physx is nice too. SSD is def my next step.

 

[GaiaHunter]

also, does it matter what brand i get? or is there a preferred brand to get?

thanks all.

EVGA generally has a longer warranty.

Asus, MSI and Gigabyte are always solid brands.

Also seems that Galaxy is a decent brand trying to get a name as an enthusiast brand.

 

[Castiel]

also, does it matter what brand i get? or is there a preferred brand to get?

thanks all.

Asus DirectCU II and MSI Twin Frozr II are the ones you want if you overclock. They're also both 249.99