Request advice for budget card

[Derix]

My BFG GTX280 is fast becoming scrap (pink screen of death) so I find myself needing a new video card. May try the oven method to fix it, but expecting it to fail so looking for advice on a budget card. Need to keep the price under $150 before taxes, MIR's are just a bonus.

The system I'm running is a Q9550 quad core @2.83Ghz, 8 gigs DDR2, 300GB Barracuda HD. I play games at 1680x1050 and perfectly happy doing so and not expecting that to change anytime in the near future.

I've narrowed it down to the following and would appreciate any input. The first two being OC'd versions of the Radeon 7770, one a Sapphire and the other the XFX model. Not certain which of the two I'm better off with. Warranty favors XFX, but I don't have any experience with either brand. Than the last option being the Asus GTX 650Ti.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814150599

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814102993

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814121669

Just to add this is for gaming. I don't necessarily need to be able to play everything at high settings, just have it look decent with smooth play. Again at 1680x1050 resolution. Not terribly big into action or first person shooter games though I do give them a go on the rare occasion. More into games along the lines of Skyrim, Dragon Age 1+2, Mass Effect, you get the idea.

 

[Jimzz]

$150 BEFORE rebate then look at the 7770
$150 AFTER rebate then look at the 7850

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814102993

 

[0___________0]

The 650 Ti is faster than the 7770, and I'd go with the 650 Ti based on that.

 

[Jimzz]

The 650 Ti is faster than the 7770, and I'd go with the 650 Ti based on that.

The 650ti also cost more.

Dollar to dollar the 7770 is better.

 

[Derix]

Another I've found to add to the list. Asus 2GB version of the Radeon 7770. The GPU and Memory is slower than the OC'd versions, but they only have the 1GB.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121642

 

[Jimzz]

Another I've found to add to the list. Asus 2GB version of the Radeon 7770. The GPU and Memory is slower than the OC'd versions, but they only have the 1GB.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121642

Very few games at most resolutions really use more than 1gb right now, esp on a mid-range card like the 7770. I would either wait for a deal on a 7850 or get a 7770 1gb and save for later.


BUT you link was to newegg.com the last ones are to newegg.ca. You in canada? If so watch out as the .com is usually cheaper than the .ca prices. At the .com there are 7850's in the 160ish range before rebates now and should hit the $150 price range if you wait for a deal.