Whats the best low powered card (150watt)?

[MustangSVT]

Currently using HD6850 oced and its great for 1080p.

I am currently using TFX psu and want to move to 2560 x 1440 on 27".

is HD7850 my only choice?

 

[bononos]

What about 6xx Nvidia cards? They take abit less power than Radeons for comparable cards.

 

[chimaxi83]

Currently using HD6850 oced and its great for 1080p.

I am currently using TFX psu and want to move to 2560 x 1440 on 27".

is HD7850 my only choice?

What's your budget, and what's a TFX psu?

 

[Smoblikat]

7850/70
660Ti? (might be more than 150w)

 

[tviceman]

The 660 ti and hd7870 consume pretty much the exact same amount of power when both cards are running at stock. Both are slightly under 150watts under load. The gtx660ti is slightly faster but the hd7870 is cheaper.

 

[BD231]

GTX 670 reference pulls 153 watts max @ 900mhz, a great deal faster than a 78xx or 660 as well.

 

[jacktesterson]

7850/7870

660 ti / 670

 

[blastingcap]

660 Ti because it's smoother.

*ducks tomatoes*

 

[Termie]

What's the wattage and 12v rail on your PSU?

The 7850 honestly isn't a worthwhile upgrade from a 6850. What games are you looking to run at 1440p?

 

[Arkaign]

If you're running an OC'd 6850, you can run a 7870 or 670 no problem. 670 is probably the strongest card you can get at that resolution and power limit. 7950 is a better deal imho, even as a happy 670 owner, but it would be in another league of power use from the 6850OC/670 levels.

 

[Phynaz]

Are you limited to a six pin power connector?

 

[MustangSVT]

Are you limited to a six pin power connector?

yeah.

 

[KompuKare]

Actually 7950 without overclocking doesn't really use more than 150W in games. 3dCenter.org list the average from Hardware.fr , Heise , HT4U , PC Games Hardware  und TechPowerUp):

http://www.3dcenter.org/artikel/eine-performance-einordnung-der-radeon-hd-7950-boost-edition
Translated

But so does the 670. Without overclocking the 670 is a slight bit (at 1600P) faster on average too but it does cost more:

Of course, AMD don't power throttle enough so no running Furmark!

 

[Termie]

yeah.

Again, what are the specs on the psu? If over 400w, I'd consider an efficient GPU with a bit more power, like a 660ti or 7950 if it will fit in your case.

The jump from 1080p to 1440p will drop frame rates by about 45%. A stock 7850 is about 30% faster than a 6850, and maybe 45% when both are overclocked. So you're looking at holding your framerates steady at best with that upgrade if you max the OC on the 7850.

 

[3DVagabond]

We need to know which PSU. There's often a reason a manufacturer only uses 1x 6pin connector. Is budget a consideration?