Time to replace my 8500GT. Advice needed

[bruno0920]

Hi everyone,

I'm just new here and I would like to get some advice from you. I already surveyed all the shops here in my area. I'm living in the

Philippines and stocks are limited, so I'm going to list my PC specs and the available GPU in their shops w/ the cheapest price. I

only have the model of the GPU, since it doesn't really matters who's the "2ndary" manufacturer.

I'm going to use this mainly for gaming and play games such as Crysis 2, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Starcraft 2. Preferably,

play them in their max settings on a 1440 x 900 pixels (though resolution and settings doesn't count that much). Also to be

used to view movies (not really as a home theater), and doing some video/photo editing. I already made some research and my

choice would be HD 6850, but I'm not confident on my choice. My budget is only 8000Php (Philippines peso) roughly around

$200, and can be stretch and cannot exceed more than 10,000Php ($250). I'm just going to add here the GPU that's not w/in my

budget for comparison purposes.


PC specs:
Motherboard: P5GC-MX/1333
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7200 @ 2.53GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2048MB RAM Apacer UNB pc2-5300 CL5 1x2GB
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
OS: Microsoft XP SP3
PSU: 600W - Zeno Power
Monitor: ViewSonic 21" 1440 x 900 native resolution


GPUs on competition: (I'm going to use Philippine Peso price here. For rough estimated converted price to $ [Php/40 = $])
9400GT -2,900
9500GT -2,250
GT210 -2,100
GT220 -2,650
GT240 -3,000
GT430 -3,300
GT520 -2,500
GTS250 -4,990
GTS450 -5,400
GTX460 -18,000 (2GB)
GTX550 -6,500
GTX560 -14,000 (N560GTX)
GTX570 -19,000
HD3650 -2,435
HD4350 -2,950
HD4650 -2,500
HD4670 -3,500
HD5450 -2,275
HD5570 -3,200
HD5670 -4,650
HD5770 -7,500
HD6770 -6,350
HD6850 -8,990



So w/c do you think is the best GPU should I buy w/ my PC spec. Note, I'm not planning to change any PC spec.

Thanks for the feedback


UPDATE:

Please vote now for the Top5 only:
GTS450, GTX550, HD6770, HD6850, HD5850

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Hi everyone,

I'm just new here and I would like to get some advice from you. I already surveyed all the shops here in my area. I'm living in the

Philippines and stocks are limited, so I'm going to list my PC specs and the available GPU in their shops w/ the cheapest price. I

only have the model of the GPU, since it doesn't really matters who's the "2ndary" manufacturer.

I'm going to use this mainly for gaming and play games such as Crysis 2, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Starcraft 2. Preferably,

play them in their max settings on a 1440 x 900 pixels (though resolution and settings doesn't count that much). Also to be

used to view movies (not really as a home theater), and doing some video/photo editing. I already made some research and my

choice would be HD 6850, but I'm not confident on my choice. My budget is only 8000Php (Philippines peso) roughly around

$200, and can be stretch and cannot exceed more than 10,000Php ($250). I'm just going to add here the GPU that's not w/in my

budget for comparison purposes.


PC specs:
Motherboard: P4V8X-MX
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7200 @ 2.53GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2048MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
OS: Microsoft XP SP3
PSU: 600W (a generic one)
Monitor: ViewSonic 21" 1440 x 900 native resolution

I'd recommend the Radeon HD 6770. Anything after that and because of your CPU you'll have a big bottleneck. It'll run all games at max or high settings at 1440x900 except poorly coded ones like Crysis and Metro 2033. With the money you've saved I highly recommend you get 2GB of additional RAM because 4GB total will give you a very good performance increase.

Oh, and welcome to the forums.

 

[-Slacker-]

You won't be able to run crysis 2 at maximum settings on that cpu with any of those video cards. The 6850 will probably even be bottlenecked by your cpu in most of the new releases, unless, maybe, you overclock it (the cpu)

If your budget allows only for a video card, then get the hd 5770, otherwise I'd recommend getting some new hardware (phenomIIx4 with new mobo and ram and a video card - then the 6850 is going to be a reasonable choice)

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

You won't be able to run crysis 2 at maximum settings on that cpu with any of those video cards. The 6850 will probably even be bottlenecked by your cpu in most of the new releases, unless, maybe, you overclock it (the cpu)

If your budget allows only for a video card, then get the hd 5770, otherwise I'd recommend getting some new hardware (phenomIIx4 with new mobo and ram and a video card - then the 6850 is going to be a reasonable choice)

The part about not being able to play it at max settings is true, but why would he get the 5770 when the 6770 is cheaper?

OP, you'll have to settle for lower quality settings on Crysis 2.

 

[zebrax2]

If you are anywhere near Manila you should check out this shop
http://www.tipidpc.com/useritems.php?username=PCHub

If you could go to the shop linked (and if its available) go for the 5850 for not much more or if its not available or you can't go to the said shop fall back to a 6770

 

[toyota]

generic 600 watt psu? I wonder just how bad it really is?

with your res, cpu and sketchy sounding psu I would think the 6750 or 6770 would be the fastest cards to consider. anything more is basically a complete waste for your cpu and res. the 8500gt does not even meet the minimum requirements for most new games so even just a 6670 would be a massive upgrade. heck the 8500gt was pretty awful even when it was released over FOUR years ago.

 

[AtenRa]

GTX550 or HD6770

Try OC that CPU, it should be able to reach 3-3,3GHz

 

[toyota]

GTX550 or HD6770

Try OC that CPU, it should be able to reach 3-3,3GHz

a gtx550 uses quite a bit more power than the 6770 though.

 

[hooflung]

6770 or 5770 will do you right. Anything else is pointless without a upgrade. I'd also settle for a 512mb ram edition.

 

[cubeless]

6770, but 1gb version... that way you can reuse the card in xfire when you upgrade the rest of the box... any other card is overkill in that box at that res, unless you are looking to the future when you upgrade...

 

[cusideabelincoln]

GTS 450, HD 6770, GTX 550, and HD 6850 are your best options. Everything else is going to be too slow or too expensive.

The 450, 6770, and 550 should be enough Assassin's Creed and Starcraft, since your processor is a limitation for these games. For Crysis 2 you could use the extra power of the 6850 if you plan run in DX11.

 

[toyota]

GTS 450, HD 6770, GTX 550, and HD 6850 are your best options. Everything else is going to be too slow or too expensive.

The 450, 6770, and 550 should be enough Assassin's Creed and Starcraft, since your processor is a limitation for these games. For Crysis 2 you could use the extra power of the 6850 if you plan run in DX11.

his slower dual core cpu would noticeably limit Crysis 2 also. I do not think he would see even 1 more fps with a 6850 over a 6770 at just 1440x900 with his cpu. even at 1920x1080 with just a gtx260, my E8500@3.8 was pegged at basically 100% the whole time just walking around in the demo. he would be running not much more than half the res with a faster card and using a much slower cpu.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

DX11 is more GPU intensive than the demo, which was multiplayer only.

 

[toyota]

DX11 is more GPU intensive than the demo, which was multiplayer only.

that still does not change the other facts though. my E8500@ 3.8 would easily be 50% faster and he would only be using 60% of the res. even a 6770 is barely slower than my gtx260 so I think he would be massively cpu limited at 1440x900. in fact all the system recommendations even go up when wanting to run Crysys 2 in DX11.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

His processor can run 100% and still see an increase in performance from a 6770 to a 6850.

 

[toyota]

His processor can run 100% and still see an increase in performance from a 6770 to a 6850.

well we will just have to disagree then. at 1920x1080 I would mostly agree with you but not at 1440x900.

 

[bruno0920]

generic 600 watt psu? I wonder just how bad it really is?

Well, the manufacturer itself is not searchable in the internet. It's Zero Power 600W PSU. Additionally, I don't think 8500GT is that bad since I was able to play AC1 and 2 and NBA2k11 w/ 90% at max settings. Though all Crisis games are just playable at low settings.

And oh, btw, I just corrected my Motherboard, it's actually P5GC-MX/1333.

So basically to sum it up, 6850 would the the PERFECT choice if my OS would be upgraded as well as my PSU. So I'm better off w/ 6770 since I'm not planning to change other parts (I'm actually changing it right now since it's finally defective after 2yrs of service) especially no plans of changing OS.

OP, you'll have to settle for lower quality settings on Crysis 2.

One quick question though, what do you mean by "OP"?

 

[toyota]

Well, the manufacturer itself is not searchable in the internet. It's Zero Power 600W PSU. Additionally, I don't think 8500GT is that bad since I was able to play AC1 and 2 and NBA2k11 w/ 90% at max settings. Though all Crisis games are just playable at low settings.

And oh, btw, I just corrected my Motherboard, it's actually P5GC-MX/1333.

So basically to sum it up, 6850 would the the PERFECT choice if my OS would be upgraded as well as my PSU. So I'm better off w/ 6770 since I'm not planning to change other parts (I'm actually changing it right now since it's finally defective after 2yrs of service) especially no plans of changing OS.



One quick question though, what do you mean by "OP"?

sorry but I do not see how you played AC1 and AC2 on nearly max with that card. maybe at 800x600 but thats about it. my 8600gt is nearly twice as fast as an 8500gt and even its a joke for most modern games above 1024x768. I might have to go check out AC 1 with the 8600gt later though. and btw the 8600gt is just a backup card in case you were wondering why I would be using it with an otherwise decent pc.

and no the 6850 would not be the perfect choice for your resolution and cpu and going to Windows 7 would not change that. the 6770 makes much more sense no matter what unless you get a bigger monitor. 2gb of system ram would also make a few games hitch since it would not be enough for gaming on Windows 7. it should be okay for gaming on XP though.

OP refers to Original Poster which means the thread starter.


EDIT: yeah I just tried AC1 on the 8600gt with highest settings except sampling was on lowest and all I could average with anything going on was in the upper teens at 1024x768. just standing around was the only way to get in the 20s. http://postimage.org/image/2s1ydb7ok/

so again you probably did not actually play AC1 or 2 maxed on an 8500gt unless you consider 15-20fps at 800x600 playable because thats about what it would be like. you probably played on medium which nearly triples the framerate while still looking pretty good.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

sorry but I do not see how you played AC1 and AC2 on nearly max with that card. maybe at 800x600 but thats about it. my 8600gt is nearly twice as fast as an 8500gt and even its a joke for most modern games above 1024x768. I might have to go check out AC 1 with the 8600gt later though. and btw the 8600gt is just a backup card in case you were wondering why I would be using it with an otherwise decent pc.

and no the 6850 would not be the perfect choice for your resolution and cpu and going to Windows 7 would not change that. the 6770 makes much more sense no matter what unless you get a bigger monitor. 2gb of system ram would also make a few games hitch since it would not be enough for gaming on Windows 7. it should be okay for gaming on XP though.

OP refers to Original Poster which means the thread starter.

I agree. He should get one more stick of 2GB RAM to go along with the 6770 so he can also have 4GB total.

 

[bruno0920]

Oops, forgot to mention the resolution. Yeah everything is mostly at max (if setting is not max, they're either off or low), but the resolution is 800 x 600.

Can't give you the exact settings now though since I don't have my ACs anymore, already deleted that and gave away the installers since I've completed the game. Though, if you'd like to I can display the settings for my NBA2k11.

About the RAM, my mobo recommends 3GB, but also implying that both RAM on both slots must have the same memory size. So I'm confuse whether to buy additional 1GB or 2GB?

To simply put 6850 would be recommended if I change/upgrade my OS, PSU, CPU and adding extra RAM. Since these upgrades aren't gonna happen even the distant future, 6850 is a waste.

Just wondering, just in case I would be able to find 5850, is that better w/ regards to my spec? Since 6770 < 6850 < 5850 ???

Thanks for all the feedback, I'm learning a lot!

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Oops, forgot to mention the resolution. Yeah everything is mostly at max (if setting is not max, they're either off or low), but the resolution is 800 x 600.

Can't give you the exact settings now though since I don't have my ACs anymore, already deleted that and gave away the installers since I've completed the game. Though, if you'd like to I can display the settings for my NBA2k11.

About the RAM, my mobo recommends 3GB, but also implying that both RAM on both slots must have the same memory size. So I'm confuse whether to buy additional 1GB or 2GB?

To simply put 6850 would be recommended if I change/upgrade my OS, PSU, CPU and adding extra RAM. Since these upgrades aren't gonna happen even the distant future, 6850 is a waste.

Just wondering, just in case I would be able to find 5850, is that better w/ regards to my spec? Since 6770 < 6850 < 5850 ???

Thanks for all the feedback, I'm learning a lot!

800x600? You sure? Most newer monitors are 1280x720/1366x768, 1600x900, 1680x1050, or 1920x1080...

But at that resolution you're gonna be completely CPU bound and getting a faster GPU than a 6770 is absolutely wasteful. Even with your current CPU, at 800x600 you could run anything on max or high, probably for three or more years. It's an extremely low resolution, though, and I don't think it'd make for a pleasurable gaming experience.

 

[toyota]

5850 is certainly faster but with your setup I think the 6770 is the better card for you. for the most part it will give you about all the gpu power your cpu can handle. its also a quiet and cool running card that uses very little power. a 6770 is literally about 10 times faster than your 8500gt. that means you will be able to run high to very settings in games at 1440x900 that would have barely been playable on low settings at 1024x768. heck an 8500gt cannot even play Metro 2033 smoothly even low settings at 800x600. I think you will be blown away using a 6770 after using that 8500gt.

 

[toyota]

800x600? You sure? Most newer monitors are 1280x720/1366x768, 1600x900, 1680x1050, or 1920x1080...

But at that resolution you're gonna be completely CPU bound and getting a faster GPU than a 6770 is absolutely wasteful. Even with your current CPU, at 800x600 you could run anything on max or high, probably for three or more years. It's an extremely low resolution, though, and I don't think it'd make for a pleasurable gaming experience.

his monitor does 1440x900 but he was playing some games at 800x600 because the 8500gt is too weak to handle much more for some games.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

his monitor does 1440x900 but he was playing some games at 800x600 because the 8500gt is too weak to handle much more for some games.

Oh.

Well, still, the 6770 is the best choice. If he gets anything faster he'll be even more CPU bound. The CPU is the bottleneck here.

At least now he'll be able to play at 1440x900, which is MUCH better than 800x600, and at decent settings.

 

[-Slacker-]

The part about not being able to play it at max settings is true, but why would he get the 5770 when the 6770 is cheaper?

OP, you'll have to settle for lower quality settings on Crysis 2.

The 6770 is cheaper now? I honestly didn't know that.