Best card for price/performance $100-175

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I'd like to continue with my nvidia 3d setup so if the cards are close then I'm going with nvidia. If AMD has a price/performance monster than I'll definitely consider it. I'm downgrading from a 580 due to limited time to game these days. I don't keep up with it anymore. Thanks for any help in advance.

specs
i7 3.8ghz, 6gb ram,
1920x1080p 120hz monitor
850w antec power supply

 

[lavaheadache]

Picking up a GTX480 for $200 can be done fairly easily. I don't think there is a better deal out there

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Picking up a GTX480 for $200 can be done fairly easily. I don't think there is a better deal out there

Oh really? FS/FT forum?

 

[lavaheadache]

yes, they come and go quite frequently. I've thought about picking one up from time to time

 

[sangyup81]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-performance-radeon-geforce,3018-3.html

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

You'll get linear bang-for-buck at this price range for the most part. The Radeon HD 6870 costs 54% more than the HD 6770, but it's also 55% faster. The HD 6870 costs $170 and is a bit faster both stock than the GTX 560, and costs $15 less. Overclocking headroom is lower, which is something to take into account. The HD 6850/GTX 460 offer less bang-for-buck than the HD 6870, so I wouldn't consider it much.

About your 3D setup: what exactly do you mean? 3D gaming? Nothing in this price range will be enough unless you lower settings to Medium or lower resolution to 1280x720 and go with High instead of Max/Ultra in comparison to your GTX 580. If it's 3D Blu-Ray, then anything from AMD or NVIDIA will do fine.

 

[Grooveriding]

Picking up a GTX480 for $200 can be done fairly easily. I don't think there is a better deal out there

I would recommend this as well. If you can pull off a 130Mhz overclock on it, you'll have a stock 580. At $200, it's an amazing card.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I would recommend this as well. If you can pull off a 130Mhz overclock on it, you'll have a stock 580. At $200, it's an amazing card.

I'm thinking of holding out until BF3 comes out before buying a new card. I'm hoping I can get a new card with bf3 bundled with it. Even though I will pay more than a used card I'll be saving $50 on the game. I'm kinda leaning towards new for now.

Thanks lol-wut. I know this price range is woefully underpowered for 3d gaming. Say I go up in price to low $200's does that give me some more bang for the buck or will it be diminishing returns for the $ spent?

 

[lavaheadache]

Just to add another thing to think about.

I picked up a GTX 280 for $75 a little while back.

I"m pretty sure there is a GTX 285 floating around for $100 in the fs/ft section. My 280 is still plenty for quite a few games.

I can't see recommending anything for more than $100 on a card right now (sans $200 GTX480) especially, since it seems like you are just looking for a stop gap card.

Maybe even try looking for some cheap GTX 260's in SLi. They can be had for $60 -$65 each

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

I'm thinking of holding out until BF3 comes out before buying a new card. I'm hoping I can get a new card with bf3 bundled with it. Even though I will pay more than a used card I'll be saving $50 on the game. I'm kinda leaning towards new for now.

Thanks lol-wut. I know this price range is woefully underpowered for 3d gaming. Say I go up in price to low $200's does that give me some more bang for the buck or will it be diminishing returns for the $ spent?

After the Radeon HD 6870, diminishing returns kick in. The Radeon HD 6950 1GB has around 10% more overclocking headroom, but it costs 27% more and is only 13% faster stock. If you're gonna do overclocking it'll be around 23% faster, though. The GTX 560 Ti compared to the HD 6950 1GB is a pretty bad card considering it's 8% slower and has comparable overclocking headroom, not to mention it costs the same.

At your price range the only ones I'd consider are the Radeon HD 6870, Radeon HD 6950, and GeForce GTX 560, in that order.

For some quick comparisons:
HD 6870: great bang-for-buck and stock performance. Overclocking isn't that great, going from 900MHz to 1000MHz easily.

HD 6950: good bang-for-buck and somewhat higher performance than HD 6870 stock. Great overclocking headroom, going from 800-950MHz easily.

GTX 560: decent bang-for-buck, comparable to the HD 6870 stock but costing $15 more. Great overclocking headroom, going from 820MHz to 950MHz easily.

 

[NIGELG]

Keep the 580 even if you use it occasionally....next gen is coming.Unless you are selling the 580 for financial reasons..No single card will perform at that 580 and no stopgap single card will replace it.You will probably regret downgrading....


Maybe you should take some time to think about it?

 

[skipsneeky2]

Keep the 580 even if you use it occasionally....next gen is coming.Unless you are selling the 580 for financial reasons..No single card will perform at that 580 and no stopgap single card will replace it.You will probably regret downgrading....


Maybe you should take some time to think about it?

I regret selling mine but i sold it to help a buddy of mine get a core 2 duo set up to upgrade his emachines celeron 430 and some cash and plus at the time it was overkill.

Bought it with BF3 in mind but i had a wild crazy idea that it wouldn't be as demanding boy was i wrong.

Gonna go back to another gtx580 in Nov i believe or perhaps a 69702gb .

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Keep the 580 even if you use it occasionally....next gen is coming.Unless you are selling the 580 for financial reasons..No single card will perform at that 580 and no stopgap single card will replace it.You will probably regret downgrading....


Maybe you should take some time to think about it?

I'm not a real pc gamer. I've been living a lie. :/

When I did pc game it was probably 2-3 hours a week, then it went to about 1 hour one day a week, and now it's about once every two weeks for a hour or two.
I was kinda like the guy that restores a classic car then only drives it to car shows. A 6870 or 560 will be plenty to satisfy my need to pc game whenever I get the urge.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

I'm not a real pc gamer. I've been living a lie. :/

When I did pc game it was probably 2-3 hours a week, then it went to about 1 hour one day a week, and now it's about once every two weeks for a hour or two.
I was kinda like the guy that restores a classic car then only drives it to car shows. A 6870 or 560 will be plenty to satisfy my need to pc game whenever I get the urge.

In that case, I'd just go for whichever is the cheapest. In modern games, the HD 6870 and GTX 560 are essentially tied, and the 6870 costs $15 less and consumes less power overall. You probably won't be overclocking, so performance differences between both will be a wash.

 

[RussianSensation]

$163 (after $30 MIR) - $10 coupon code: draper10 at checkout = $153

$159 (after $20 MIR) - $10 coupon code: draper10 at checkout = $149

Both AMD cards come with Free DeusEx game (awesome game that you can for sure sell for $30)

$175 (after $20 MIR) - $10 coupon code: draper10 at checkout = $165

 

[pandemonium]

I just upgraded to an XFX 6870 and was thoroughly disappointed. It was so loud and hot it felt like the nuclear fall-out games I was playing were coming true. I RMA returned those for a pair of MSi's Twin Frozr II, which have dramatically impressed me. It seems like whatever card you get I'd highly recommend a dual fan configuration since a single fan doesn't seem to be able to efficiently keep up with the heat generated from today's cards. A GTX460 would probably be plenty for the occasional gaming as well, and is a highly accredited card and only $150 AR.

I see the Hawk is back up for retail sale again...I missed my opportunity and already got the Twin Frozrs; argh! >.<

Since you're not planning on gaming that much, you may want to just wait until the 7xxx series releases and then pick up a 6xxx when their prices drop.

 

[happy medium]

Since you want 3d I'd go with the cheapest gtx560ti you can find. You can find them for under 180$AR if you catch a sale. When overclocked it should give you the best bang for the buck.

example:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2185513

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Well I went with a GTX 260 for the time being. lol
Seriously it's not bad. Playing BF2 in 3D at 30+ fps medium settings at 1080p. I cranked up the clocks to 650 and I'll see how that goes. Not bad for $60 IMO.

Edit. Did some more gaming and it seems the gtx 260 is way underpowered. I was getting 30+ in some maps but the last few have been slideshows. Oh well. Gonna wait on a good deal and get rid of the 260 eventually.

 

[7earitup]

Well I went with a GTX 260 for the time being. lol
Seriously it's not bad. Playing BF2 in 3D at 30+ fps medium settings at 1080p. I cranked up the clocks to 650 and I'll see how that goes. Not bad for $60 IMO.

Edit. Did some more gaming and it seems the gtx 260 is way underpowered. I was getting 30+ in some maps but the last few have been slideshows. Oh well. Gonna wait on a good deal and get rid of the 260 eventually.

How much did you sell your 580 for? I am looking to replace my 260 with a newer card for BF3. Lol

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

How much did you sell your 580 for? I am looking to replace my 260 with a newer card for BF3. Lol

$385. It was a asus dc2 though. I've seen 580's for sale for less. I'm waiting for bf3 to release then hope nvidia bundles bf3 with a card.

 

[Jamsan]

Doh - I have a 6870 and was planning on upgrading to a 570 soon, but would've taken this opportunity to upgrade to a 580 with a swap deal. Ah well.

 

[lavaheadache]

A GTX 260 is a fine gaming card still. I assume you are still trying to run pretty much maxed settings and is why you are seeing 30fps. Try switching a setting or 2 lower and your 260 will scream most of the time. I still run my HD 4870 in a box and it'll do most anything just fine with a couple settings a tick lower.


Also, I know this may sound weird but I noticed something strange regarding the monitor we both have. 40 fps seems choppier @ 120hz than 60. Dunno if it is jus tme or if there is actually some truth to it.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I guess I was just spoiled by that 580. Next new series release I'll stick with a mid range. I really can't complain though. $60 isn't a lot for some battlefield fragging sessions. I still have fun which is the important part.

I haven't noticed any noticeable choppy stuff but I stay at 120hz at all time. As far as settings go I'm at medium. I just think multiplayer kills gpu's. I'll have to hold off 3D for a little while.

 

[7earitup]

A GTX 260 is a fine gaming card still. I assume you are still trying to run pretty much maxed settings and is why you are seeing 30fps. Try switching a setting or 2 lower and your 260 will scream most of the time. I still run my HD 4870 in a box and it'll do most anything just fine with a couple settings a tick lower.


Also, I know this may sound weird but I noticed something strange regarding the monitor we both have. 40 fps seems choppier @ 120hz than 60. Dunno if it is jus tme or if there is actually some truth to it.

While the 260 runs BF3 on low @ 1920x1200, it is most of the time a less than enjoyable experience when there is a lot of action on screen.