[TechSpot] Best Graphics Card Values

[Termie]

Link: http://www.techspot.com/review/550-best-gaming-graphics-cards/
Techspot has benched the 8 cards currently in full production between $180-$500, in 16 different games at both 1920x1200 and 2560x1600. The cards include the HD6870, 560Ti, HD7850, HD7870, HD7950, HD7970, GTX670, and GTX680.

Not surprisingly, the GTX670 comes out looking pretty good, but you may be surprised to see what their recommendation is at 1920x1200.

Also, TechSpot doesn't say it, but the HD6870 is the hands-down value leader, especially when you consider that it sells for far less than the $180 retail price they use in their calculations.

As an aside, I find it surprising that TechSpot chose to use the 12.7 beta performance drivers on the AMD side, but not the 304.79 beta performance drivers on the nVidia side.

 

[DrBoss]

Nice read.
I always enjoy dollar per fps figures.

 

[lehtv]

Also, TechSpot doesn't say it, but the HD6870 is the hands-down value leader, especially when you consider that it sells for far less than the $180 retail price they use in their calculations.

Actually, it does retail for $180 on average. Newegg: $160 is the cheapest card, one card sits at $170, the rest are between $175 and $210. MIR not factored in, of course.

I think it's important to realize that overclockability will seriously skew these results. 7850 is already the best frames per dollar card in the >$200 category, and after overclocking it'd be far ahead of any other card, providing better playability than a stock 7950.

 

[Ferzerp]

Nice read.
I always enjoy dollar per fps figures.

So do I. My $0.50 1fps card always measures so favorably in that metric.

 

[Silverforce11]

In terms of value you can't touch a 7850 or 7950 purely because of the often >40% OC headroom they have, compared to other cards with 10-20% OCs.

 

[Termie]

In terms of value you can't touch a 7850 or 7950 purely because of the often >40% OC headroom they have, compared to other cards with 10-20% OCs.

The thing about basing a value analysis on a theoretical OC is that every card varies. From what I've read, the 7950 in particular varies widely. Saying >40% is setting a lot of people up for disappointment. And the same goes for the GTX670, by the way, with cards ranging from 10%-25% OC headroom over stock.

That being said, if you read the conclusion, you'll see TechSpot names the 7950 the best value card at 1920x1200.

 

[kalrith]

Actually, it does retail for $180 on average. Newegg: $160 is the cheapest card, one card sits at $170, the rest are between $175 and $210. MIR not factored in, of course.

I think Termie is referring to the fact that the 6870 goes on sale for $130 AR every few weeks.

If one puts in the lowest current/frequent prices ($370 for 670, $410 for 7970, $320 for 7950, $210 for 7850, $130 for 6870), the following would be the result for 1920x1200 resolution:

6870: $3.33/frame
7850: $4.47/frame
670: $5.21/frame
7950: $5.33/frame
7970: $5.94/frame

The 6870 is the clear leader in value, but the 7850 is no slouch, especially since it overclocks so well. But even without taking overclocking into account, it's still a good value.

The 7950 vs. 670 comparison could be largely changed by overclocking as well. Another advantage of the 7950 is that the $320 buys the MSI Twin Frozr card compared to the reference 670. Of course, power consumption would be an advantage for the 670.

 

[Binky]

Let's not forget that you can mine bitcoins on an AMD card for a profit of something slightly larger than $0 per week. With the OC ability of the 7850/7950 plus the (tiny) profit from bitcoins, it seems like an easy choice.

 

[Rvenger]

Good read. The MSI Twinfrozr 7870 that was on Newegg for $280 would be a great deal according to those charts.

 

[thilanliyan]

Let's not forget that you can mine bitcoins on an AMD card for a profit of something slightly larger than $0 per week. With the OC ability of the 7850/7950 plus the (tiny) profit from bitcoins, it seems like an easy choice.

Haven't you heard? Compute doesn't matter anymore

I myself have more than paid for one of my 6950s with mining...and should have the 2nd one paid for within a couple of months.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Haven't you heard? Compute doesn't matter anymore

I myself have more than paid for one of my 6950s with mining...and should have the 2nd one paid for within a couple of months.

It doesn't when you're talking about game performance only.


I just want to know how they are getting over 60fps in Metro 2033 when it's maxed out.

 

[lehtv]

It doesn't when you're talking about game performance only.


I just want to know how they are getting over 60fps in Metro 2033 when it's maxed out.

FXAA

 

[SirPauly]

Nice article and good to read price/performance once again.