Video Card for the QX2710

[Z15CAM]

Platform: i7 2700k running 1600/4600 Mhz, Corsair H110 AIO, 16GB Samsung DDR3 at 1866Mhz 9-9-9-24-1T, ASUS P8Z68Pro-V Gen3, Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, 2 x's WD 500's Black in Raid-0, 1 x's 1 TB WD Black, ASUS DVDRW Optic, Hauppage WinTV 1250, Spare Intel NIC Card, Fractal Midi ARC 2 Case, PSU is a modular XFX Pro 850W Black Edition.

I can only run PCIe 2 with the I7 2700k.

Monitor is a South Korean QNIX QX2710 2560x1440 with the Samsung PLS Screen which can run at 120Hz's and presently running an EVGA e-GeForce GTX 280.

I'm looking at these Video cards within my price range:

EVGA GTX 760 w/ACX 2 GB $270 - MIN $

ASUS GTX 680 2GB $370

Sapphire Radeon HD7970 3GB $395

EVGA GTX 670 FTW 4GB for $396

EVGA GTX 770 w/ACX 2 GB $410 - about MAX $

Personally I'm leaning toward the Radeon HD 7970 with that 3GB Vram and 384 Bus width is probably better suited to the Hi-Res of the QX2710 but I've an affection for the brute force of the nVidia GTX X80 Cards; the Kepler 770 concept is integrating - Is it any better then the 7970 or should I buy the GTX 680; but then that GTX 670 4 GB is starring at me - Aside from the EVGA GTX 760 w/ACX 2 GB they are all about the same price right now - Hmm?

I'm primarily into Video Encoding and watching Movies: however, I may get back into some gaming in the future.

I believe I've just talked myself into the Sapphire Radeon HD7970 3GB for $395; but reports are that it's noisy and tends to run hot and I've never cared for AMD Driver Support. SO now what the GTX 680 Vs the GTX 770 - GAD's.

I'd appreciate your advice and recommendations.

Thank you: RON

 

[raghu78]

Sapphire HD 7970 OC with dual x cooler is quite good. AMD driver support for single GPU is on par with Nvidia. for multi GPU Nvidia has a slight edge, though AMD has improved their multi gpu performance with CF frame pacing driver .

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814202008

for 1440p the 3GB VRAM is what you should consider a minimum especially with next gen consoles having massive 8GB RAM. next gen games are going to push past 2GB , especially at 1440p.

if you prefer Nvidia go for EVGA GTX 770 ACX

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814130919

 

[Z15CAM]

Thanks Raghu78:

The QNIX QX2710 2560 x 1440 only has DVI-D (DVI-Dual Link) input so it's strictly a DeskTop Monitor - LapTops and Consoles are out.

Your looking at Newegg.ca prices as I am - They seem to have the best pricing for Video Cards right now in Canada.

I doubt I will game at 1440p but I would not mind watching Movies it that resolution ;o)

So far the Sapphire HD4970 100351SR with 3GB GDDR5 has both our votes: but what about that EVGA GTX 670 FTW with 4GB's of GDDR5 would it not be a contender considering the extra VRam?

 

[raghu78]

Thanks Raghu78:

The QNIX QX2710 2560 x 1440 only has DVI-D (DVI-Dual Link) input so it's strictly a DeskTop Monitor - LapTops and Consoles are out.

Your looking at Newegg.ca prices as I am - They seem to have the best pricing for Video Cards right now in Canada.

I doubt I will game at 2560x1440p but I would not mind watching Movies it that resolution ;o)

So far the Sapphire HD4970 100351SR with 3GB GDDR5 has both our votes: but what about that EVGA GTX 670 FTW with 4GB's of GDDR5 would it be a contender considering the extra VRam?

HD 7970 at 1050 mhz is on par with GTX 770 which at stock clocks to 1150 mhz boost.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...369-nvidia-geforce-gtx-770-2gb-review-13.html
http://techreport.com/review/24996/nvidia-geforce-gtx-760-graphics-card-reviewed/4
http://www.hardware.fr/articles/896-22/recapitulatif-performances.html
http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/grafikkarten/2013/nvidia-geforce-gtx-770-im-test/4/

on average across many games HD 7970(1150 mhz) is on par with GTX 770(1250 mhz). even a golden GTX 670 at 1300 mhz is on average a slower card.

 

[el etro]

Go with a Matrix 7970 or Windforce 7970(Gv-r797to-3gd).

 

[tweakboy]

Get company you have now. Switching CPU brands Ive heard can cause issues.

If your nvidia.. stick to it. If your ATI AMD stick with it..... once you change vendors like that your rig goes bananas....

 

[Z15CAM]

As I say I'm not presently into gaming but would like to leave the option open; however, I would like to run the QX2710 at 1440p between 96 to 120Hz for movies.

I've read review upon review re: Reference and GHz HD7970 offerings and I'm not impressed. 1st - Terrible AMD driver support. 2nd - Weak PCB's. 3rd - Heat, Noise and Coil Wind. Not saying I think the HD7970's 384 Bus/3GB Vram is probably more suited for Higher Resolutions compared to the GTX 770's 286 Bus/2GB Vram but that GTX 770 appears to have great reviews with equal if not better performance at 1080p.

In the mean time, I would not mind running 1080p, sacrificing 1440p Resolution for stability, and if I find I want to move up to 1440p in a year or two buy a 2nd GTX 770 for SLI and have 4 GB's of Vram on tap.

How about the GIGABYTE GTX 770 OC Windforce 3X for $410 from NCIX.CA. Kinda like it as it's a 2 Slot Card. Should not this easily run the QCIX at 120Hz/1080p in the meantime and provide an option to run 120Hz/1440p providing a 4GB Vram in SLI beating a single Titan for less money in the future?

What do you think about this approach?

Now I'm thinking GIGABYTE GV-N770OC-4GD GeForce GTX 770 4GB for $470 but it's getting outta my price range - humm $60 more to get 1440p - Man 8GB Vram in SLI - The Card should be a $100's cheaper next year - Truly a Beast Combination that will Best the Titan for much less money on 4K Displays and somewhat Future Proof - Sish! I haven't seen any Reviews stating that the 286 Bus can not utilize 4GBps of Vram.

 

[VirtualLarry]

As I say I'm not presently into gaming but would like to leave the option open; however, I would like to run the QX2710 at 1440p between 96 to 120Hz for movies.

Nvidia always used to have a "custom resolution" feature in their driver control panel, that could be used with custom refresh rates as well. This would be something to investigate and consider. Possibly ask this question in the home theater forum, either here or on AVSForum.

 

[Z15CAM]

"custom resolution" feature in their driver control panel

Yes I see that nVidia Display Properties with this EVGA e-GeForce GTX 280 I'm presently running.

I'll be purchasing around mid September - So better start saving - But it looks like I need at least 4 GB of VRam to take full advantage of a 2560 x 1440 4k Display at 120Hz.

I see nVidia will be offering a GTX 780 with that big 384-Bit Bus and 5 GB's of VRam shortly but the price will be away outta reach for me. So I'm considering buying one GIGABYTE GV-N770OC-4GD for now then purchasing another later for SLI and 8GB of VRam.

More money then I intended but I'm thinking about future upgrade to SLI with my 1st affordable purchase in September.

I can see where 4 GB VRam cards may hold their Value compared to 2 GB models with the availability of cheap Korean 4K Displays and Gaming Consoles hitting 8 GB's. Of course the Display will require HDMI input for Consoles.