Stuck without graphics card: buy now, or just keep waiting?

[aoya]

Hi all,

I sold off my graphics cards, and now I'm stuck using the on board graphics built into the i5-2500K. I was thinking about buying an EVGA gtx 580 and then using the step-up program when/if Kepler comes out. Of course, I'd want to step-up to a 680, but I don't know/I'm not sure if it will be out within the 90 days.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Should I just keep waiting instead?

 

[MrTeal]

If you're planning on using the step up for a 680, I'd wait. There's no indication that it will be released within the next 3 months.

 

[Crap Daddy]

A faster card than the GTX580 will be out in 90 days. Whether it'll be the fastest NV or only the GK104 AKA 670Ti remains to be seen.

 

[General Kenobi]

I'd wait if you're determined about gettting a 680.

 

[Remobz]

I would wait as well.

 

[Lepton87]

Buying 580 right now is not a good choice. You should just buy 7970 right now and enjoy your games. There's always something better around the corner. If not gaming for half a year doesn't bother you then you're probably not a gamer, so why buy a high-end card at all?

 

[wahdangun]

Buying 580 right now is not a good choice. You should just buy 7970 right now and enjoy your games. There's always something better around the corner. If not gaming for half a year doesn't bother you then you're probably not a gamer, so why buy a high-end card at all?

totally true. why waste on old tech, when there is better one available right now, and waiting for uncertainty is foolish.

 

[aoya]

Buying 580 right now is not a good choice. You should just buy 7970 right now and enjoy your games. There's always something better around the corner. If not gaming for half a year doesn't bother you then you're probably not a gamer, so why buy a high-end card at all?

I'd plunge on a 7970, but I'm trying to stay away from Radeon. I just came from x-fired 6870s and I'm moving to Team Green for this generation.

 

[skipsneeky2]

A pair of 6870s is gonna be hard to beat,you could be waiting a while or just dive into a 7970.

I am sure you could score a deal on a used gtx580 as many people are selling theirs off to trade up to a 7970,check the forums and if you find one for $400 or cheaper,that could be interesting or simply play the waiting game.

Seems almost everyone with a 7970 loves it,i know i would.

 

[Fallengod]

Thats funny, I am kind of in the same spot. I sold my graphics card too and am using the HD-3000 IGP on my 2500k as we speak as well. Fortunately, I can afford to wait really so, I am not sure what I am going to do yet.

I am trying to get a good deal buying someones used 5770 or similar on forums, well see how that goes.

At the very least, newer gen cards should push older cards prices down because vendors will be trying to move old inventory out. I am partly waiting for that.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Thats funny, I am kind of in the same spot. I sold my graphics card too and am using the HD-3000 IGP on my 2500k as we speak as well. Fortunately, I can afford to wait really so, I am not sure what I am going to do yet.

I am trying to get a good deal buying someones used 5770 or similar on forums, well see how that goes.

At the very least, newer gen cards should push older cards prices down because vendors will be trying to move old inventory out. I am partly waiting for that.

LOL i was waiting for the 7970 to be released sitting on intel graphics as well.

Price wise, it was way off so i picked up a gtx560 and like a doofus hoped to get a skyhigh oc and have it hold me over,but i got a locked voltage card giving me little bit better then t.i performance after the final stable clocks,like the Op and you now i want either a gtx580 or 7970 myself.

 

[Nintendesert]

If you're wanting to get on the Nvidia bandwagon I'd tell you you have to wait. I'm waiting to see what next month brings as well but getting a 580 right now is about as bad a buy as anyone could make.

 

[nOOky]

You came from a pair of HD6870's and the built-in graphics are going to be good enough for months of gaming use? What do you play, Farmville and Cityville? Couldn't you have made due with keeping one card so you could keep playing in the interim without knowing when the new nvidia cards will be out?
I'm just busting your chops a bit. I'd either go full out right now, HD7970, or buy a mid range nvidia card GTX560 etc. to keep you going until the nvidia choices become more clear when all the cards have been released.

 

[aoya]

You came from a pair of HD6870's and the built-in graphics are going to be good enough for months of gaming use? What do you play, Farmville and Cityville? Couldn't you have made due with keeping one card so you could keep playing in the interim without knowing when the new nvidia cards will be out?
I'm just busting your chops a bit. I'd either go full out right now, HD7970, or buy a mid range nvidia card GTX560 etc. to keep you going until the nvidia choices become more clear when all the cards have been released.

I didn't say I gamed on the IGP, only that I'm using it. Right now, I'm playing my games either on lowest settings, or not at all.

I sold both cards because crossfirex didn't fill my needs with a multimonitor setup. I wanted to be able to SLI/CrossfireX while in windowed mode, but apparently only SLI is capable of it.

 

[bononos]

You came from a pair of HD6870's and the built-in graphics are going to be good enough for months of gaming use? What do you play, Farmville and Cityville? Couldn't you have made due with keeping one card so you could keep playing in the interim without knowing when the new nvidia cards will be out?
.....

Yeah odd, I woulda thought that the OP and the other poster would have an older card handy to drop in.

 

[aoya]

Yeah odd, I woulda thought that the OP and the other poster would have an older card handy to drop in.

I always sell off my old cards. I figure...no point in keeping old tech around the house...otherwise I might just end up with 10 perfectly fine graphic cards, but nothing to do with them.

 

[lavaheadache]

buy buy buy

 

[bononos]

I always sell off my old cards. I figure...no point in keeping old tech around the house...otherwise I might just end up with 10 perfectly fine graphic cards, but nothing to do with them.

Couldn't you keep something usable instead of not having a single gfx card around, so you keep 1 and sell 9. Even having a spare card for testing in case something goes wrong is useful.

 

[kalrith]

Another option is to buy something like a 4870 for $50 used. Then, sell it for $40 - $50 in a few months when you get the new card.

 

[Absolute0]

If you play the waiting game you will always be waiting. Something better is always coming out.

If you need to play games now, then buy now.

 

[aoya]

Couldn't you keep something usable instead of not having a single gfx card around, so you keep 1 and sell 9. Even having a spare card for testing in case something goes wrong is useful.

I AM NOT A CLEVER MAN.

Others: I will probably just play SC2 on the lowest setting and then allow myself to be blown away when Kepler returns. It seems like EVGA's step-up program isn't fast enough to meet my needs. Thank you all for your replies.

 

[mosox]

I didn't say I gamed on the IGP, only that I'm using it. Right now, I'm playing my games either on lowest settings, or not at all.

I sold both cards because crossfirex didn't fill my needs with a multimonitor setup. I wanted to be able to SLI/CrossfireX while in windowed mode, but apparently only SLI is capable of it.

Multimonitor setup? Buy AMD, of course.

 

[Dark Shroud]

I sold both cards because crossfirex didn't fill my needs with a multimonitor setup. I wanted to be able to SLI/CrossfireX while in windowed mode, but apparently only SLI is capable of it.

You can't even run 3 monitors off an Nvidia card, you have to go SLI.

A single HD 7970 will drive 3 monitors for you with plenty of new features, seriously look into the reviews for multi-monitor on the 7970.

 

[Barfo]

I'd get the 580.

 

[billbobaggins87]

pick of a 6950.. sell it in 2 months for a $50 loss and you can play in the mean time. much stronger than what you have..