Pick my GPU please

Sohaltang

Senior member
Apr 13, 2013
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I. Processor/CPU:3770k@4.5ghz on coolermaster air. Windows 8


II. Current Graphics Card: 5770 @975 MHz


III. Display Resolution:1920x1080 and 60 inch high end Plasma. Will eventually get a higher res TV and maybe monitor when prices come down.


IV. Power Supply Unit Specification (Brand, Wattage, Ampage, Age). If possible, please provide a link to a website containing the power supply specifications:

Antec 650ea.
Older version with ONE 6+2 pci-e. Figure ill have use a 2 molex-1 six pin adaptor to run new card

V. Case Specifications(N/A, Model, Length, Low Profile, Cooling, HTPC, Water, Silent):
Dunno, some big Antec case I bought 3 years ago. Couple extra fans. 4 1tb 7200 rpm drives and 128gb SSD.


Purchase Details:

I. Budget? Please be sure to include currency (If not USD), retailer preferences & specify whether rebates are a viable option.
250-400ish. I would like to feel like I'm getting a deal vs full retail


II. Any particular preferences (Manufacturer[nV or AMD], Brand[XFX, Sapphire, EVGA, etc], Cooling Solutions)? None


III. Do you plan to have any Multi-GPU solutions such as Crossfire or SLI?
Maybe in future, for now no. Trying to avoid a power supply upgrade


IV. Have you previously looked at a product(s) which you feel would fit your needs? 7970 or 7950. Possibly ghz editions


V. What are your needs for this GPU? Which games(If any)do you intend to play? If you have this information at hand, what are the desired detail levels?
Not a big gamer. I do console game but once I beat a game I'm done with it. Some wow and the new final fantasy when its released. Cs6, Lightroom, 3d and hd movies, some folding.


VI. Do you plan on overclocking the card you intend to purchase? Yes! Something I can beat up on.


Additional Notes
Have always used radions but this 5770 has started to tear and giving me artifacts since hooked up HD TV. Seems its a common problem but really irritated that 2 gens later the driver has not been fixed. Tempted to go Nvidia just because of driver support. I like to build my pcs to be future proof for a 3 years. Only rebuilding now because kid spilled on my 965be and fried MB.

And thanks in advance!
 

hokies83

Senior member
Oct 3, 2010
837
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a 7950 offers great price per performance.. if u catch a rebate and sell the games.

I paid 190$ each for my 7950s.
 

Sohaltang

Senior member
Apr 13, 2013
854
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a 7950 offers great price per performance.. if u catch a rebate and sell the games.

I paid 190$ each for my 7950s.


Yeah I have seen some decent deals. I'm kinda ore looks for a model suggestion. Many have bad reviews, or are out of production for one reason or another. XFX and powercolor seem to be total garbage from reviews. I also don't want that voltage locked or has a crappy cooler. Then the higher end models seem to be out of stock or 2x8 pin.
 

Headfoot

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2008
4,444
641
126
Well since you're not gaming a ton, the Radeon HD 7850 is pretty inexpensive and overclocks like none other. If you enjoy overclocking that one would be a fast and cheap card. Has a few games bundled with it too.

7950 is also a good choice if you need the power
 

bluesquare07

Member
Mar 10, 2013
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If you want to play blizzard games, NV is far better in this. Especially when you really need the fps in crowded areas, the difference is huge.

Problem is that you have a wide budget, there is a big difference between 240 to 400.

Personally, if i were you, i would look into 660SLI for ~400. This would get you the absolute best performance for $400. A lot better performance than a 7970 or 680, especially at 1080p.

If you wanted to avoid multi gpu, go for a 7950 or 670. Whatever you are more comfortable spending money on.
 

Sohaltang

Senior member
Apr 13, 2013
854
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I should have added I don't play wow. My kid does. He is not that good and happy with it now ;). The games Dad (me) really cares about will be single player console type games. I enjoyed offline TR, crysis etc. Going to pick up new sim city eventually. Most stuff is on ps3 but its life cycle is almost over. Considering a move to PC gaming only. Not sure how well sports games translate though.

Money or power consumption is not a huge deal. I just like to have something nice. At first I thought about something about 200$ but then I noticed for another 60$ you can get into a 7950 w free games. Once I'm close to 300 for another 100$ I can have the "best". Torn lol
 

Sohaltang

Senior member
Apr 13, 2013
854
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A multicard setup will add 100$ to the gpu price because my power supply won't support it. That puts a 660 sli setup at or over 500$.
 

Sohaltang

Senior member
Apr 13, 2013
854
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Aren't Blizzard games basically all CPU bound?

That's what I heard. At least a large part of it. I don't play but I checked his fps a few times and seen 30-50fps on the panda one (most intensive). My 5770 is at least 3 years old.
 

3DVagabond

Lifer
Aug 10, 2009
11,951
204
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I should have added I don't play wow. My kid does. He is not that good and happy with it now ;). The games Dad (me) really cares about will be single player console type games. I enjoyed offline TR, crysis etc. Going to pick up new sim city eventually. Most stuff is on ps3 but its life cycle is almost over. Considering a move to PC gaming only. Not sure how well sports games translate though.

Money or power consumption is not a huge deal. I just like to have something nice. At first I thought about something about 200$ but then I noticed for another 60$ you can get into a 7950 w free games. Once I'm close to 300 for another 100$ I can have the "best". Torn lol

There really is little benefit to the 7970 over the 7950, unless you aren't going to O/C. There are 7970's with higher stock clocks than the 7950.
 

zaydq

Senior member
Jul 8, 2012
782
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Amd camp:7950. Nvidia camp: 670. Those are the gems. The 7850 or the 650ti will cater to your needs if you aren't going to be playing with intensive graphical settings, and since you're coming from a console, i'd imagine its not extremely high on the priority list.
 

Gikaseixas

Platinum Member
Jul 1, 2004
2,836
218
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GTX 660ti or HD 7870 seem to be a great compromises, will play games at your resolution very well and not cost that much.
 

badb0y

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2010
4,015
30
91
I would suggest the 7950, especially one of the Sapphire ones with the unlocked voltage.
 

bystander36

Diamond Member
Apr 1, 2013
5,154
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If you are serious about SLI or CF in the future, then Nvidia gives much better support atm. Maybe AMD will fix CF, but until they do Nvidia has a distinct advantage there.

If you will just replace your cards next upgrade, then AMD has some good value for the price.
 

Sohaltang

Senior member
Apr 13, 2013
854
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0
Could not pass up the 7970 Sapphire OC on new egg today. 379$ AR with free games. Ill keep bioshock and prob sell Crysis. Then again I might just keep it just for eye candy. Did not care for the ps3 version of the game.

Thanks for the help guys! Damn did I just drop 400$ on a video card.. Ouch lol