gaming card on a budget

[grcf450]

Im building my first pc little by little and I wanted to see what video card would u guys recommend i get? Im looking to play pc games like COD black ops and for graphic design programs such as photoshop, illustrator, etc. This is what I have so far, Azza solano 1000r, amd BE x4 955, and asus M4A89GTD Pro/USB3. Even though my mobo has on board video, i dont think it would run COD.....

Thanks in advanced!

 

[MagickMan]

Resolution?

 

[Whipped]

Resolution?

In addition, how much did you want to spend?

 

[RussianSensation]

1. Asus 4850 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121380

10% off w/ promo code VGA061710, ends 6/30
- $20 Mail in Rebate
Total price: $78.99 Free shipping

^^^ About as fast as a GTS250 1GB

2. Asus 4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121376
$139.99 - $20 MIR
Total Price: $119.99 Free shipping

^^^ About as fast as a 5770 1GB or GTX260 216

If you want cheaper, I would consider an 8800GT or 9800GT. Performance wise, there is nothing <$150 that will match a 4870 1GB. 5770 has better power consumption but it isn't faster. The next level up is 5830 for $200 or 4890.

Given the small price differential between 4850 and 4870 and the performance delta, I would get the 4870 1GB: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_465_Twin_Frozr_II/29.html

 

[grcf450]

Im looking to get some good resolution? what would be good enough for a 22'' monitor? My budjet is from 0-$180 for the card...

 

[RussianSensation]

Im looking to get some good resolution? what would be good enough for a 22'' monitor? My budjet is from 0-$180 for the card...

For 1680x1050, on the ATI side you will want a 4870 1GB, 5770 1GB, 4890 1GB, or 5830. On the Nvidia side, you are looking at used GTX260 216, 275, 280.

However, I would not spend $200 for a 5830 since it is about 20&#37; faster than the 4870 1GB. You can save the $80 and upgrade again in 15 months to another $100 card that will be 2x faster.

Currently, there is no better 'new' card for the $ than the 4870 1GB for $120 I linked you. The only other preferable card is the 5770 due to better power consumption. If you can find it for $130-135, then go for that one.

Your other option of course would be to get a used 4890 1GB or the nVidia GTX275. For example, Newegg has a bunch of open box 4890s by Sapphire: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...852R-_-Product --> For $150, there is no better performing graphics card hands down. Search the website and you'll find Vapor-X editions too.

4890 vs. 5770 vs. 5830 vs. GTX260 vs. GTX275: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/xfx-radeon-hd5830_6.html#sect1

My value pick: Asus 4870 1GB for $120
My low power consumption pick with 4870's performance: 5770 1GB for $140
My performance value pick <$200: Open box Sapphire 4890 1GB for $150

 

[grcf450]

For 1680x1050, 4870 1GB, 5770 or 5830 fit the bill.

However, I would not spend $200 for a 5830 since it is 20% faster than the 4870 1GB. You can save the $80 and upgrade again in 15 months to another $100 card that will be 2x faster.

Currently, there is no better 'new' card for the $ than the 4870 1GB for $120 I linked you. The only other preferable card is the 5770 due to better power consumption. If you can find it for $130-135, then go for that one.

Your other option of course would be to get a used 4890 1GB or the nVidia GTX275. For example, Newegg has a bunch of open box 4890s by Sapphire: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...852R-_-Product --> For $150, there is no better performing graphics card hands down. Search the website and you'll find Vapor-X editions too.

4890 vs. 5770 vs. 5830 vs. GTX260 vs. GTX275: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/xfx-radeon-hd5830_6.html#sect1

What do you think about this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-317-_-Product

I have a $10 gift card from when i bought the mobo, so i guess i can get it for 149.99 plus the $10 mail in rebate= $139.99

 

[happy medium]

What do you think about this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-317-_-Product

I have a $10 gift card from when i bought the mobo, so i guess i can get it for 149.99 plus the $10 mail in rebate= $139.99

Thats your best choice.

 

[RussianSensation]

What do you think about this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-317-_-Product

I have a $10 gift card from when i bought the mobo, so i guess i can get it for 149.99 plus the $10 mail in rebate= $139.99

5770s are good cards. If you are looking at HIS, I'd rather get one with the fan exhausting the air out of your case like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-338-_-Product
^^^ This particular card also supports up to 3 displays as it is "w/Eyefinity version"

Alternatively, consider XFX for their lifetime warranty: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-447-_-Product

 

[Rifter]

that 5770 would be great

 

[borisvodofsky]

PLEASE realize, that these cards perform BEST with Aftermarket cooling..

If you're ambient temp is 75 f +, You'd have to run your fan at 80&#37; constantly for safety. LOUDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

4870 is HOT AS BALLLLLLZ, 4850 is even worse because it uses a TINY cooler.

Look for used thermalright HR03-GT

Good luck.

 

[blanketyblank]

No aftermarket cooling needed for a 5770, but 4870 can get quite loud and hot from what I hear. Heat and sound are side benefits to lower power consumption. I'd go for either that 4850 for $80 or a 5770 preferrably for $140 ($130 after your GC) the few bucks are worth it over a 4870.

 

[konakona]

Get a cheap accelero S1 rev2 from ewiz, slap on a 120mm fan on it. Problem solved

Too bad this deal is dead (OOS)

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=870363&t=2091918

 

[SlowSpyder]

Newegg has a number of 5770's that are $125 - $130 after rebate. In your budget that's really the best choice in my opinion.

 

[jaqie]

No aftermarket cooling needed for a 5770, but 4870 can get quite loud and hot from what I hear. Heat and sound are side benefits to lower power consumption. I'd go for either that 4850 for $80 or a 5770 preferrably for $140 ($130 after your GC) the few bucks are worth it over a 4870.

I was actually going to post this exact suggestion... beat me to it.

I have had a 4850 and loved it, then it took a tumble down the stairs thanks to a friend... killed the vidcard. So I went for another, I was almost ready to buy a 5770 when I decided to jump on a bfg GTS250... I regret my decision. Take it from someone that has had a HD4850, 9800GT, and GTS250... the 4850 or 5770 are your best bets by far.

 

[Will Robinson]

Another vote for the HD5770,it's fast and runs cool and quiet.

 

[tweakboy]

What is your price range ?

You can get a nVidia Geforce 260 GTX 216 core 896mb ,, You can get it for under 200. I would say from 150 to 200 , Try Fry's also they have rebate ones so your price wont go to two hundred... This is the best bang for the buck nvidia card.

 

[Celstar]

in terms of performance, would it be better to get 2x $100 cards, or 1x $200 card?

 

[Celstar]

edit

 

[RussianSensation]

in terms of performance, would it be better to get 2x $100 cards, or 1x $200 card?

In the games that scale well, 2 $100 cards will slightly outperform a single $200 card right now.

For example, 2 GTS250 1GBs are faster than a single GTX285: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gf-gts250-sli_8.html#sect1

Similarly, 2 4850s 1GB are faster than a single 4890/5830, etc. However, with a single card you get lower power consumption and noise. Plus if you get a single 5830 right now, for a example, down the line you can probably add another 5830 for $100 when prices fall. Don't forget that there have already been deals for $250 5850s. A single 5850 will be faster than 2 $100 graphics cards, especially when overclocked to 5870's speeds.

 

[heat901]

I have a 4870 and my bro just got the 5770.... get the 5770 it makes things purty!!!

 

[zatch]

At 169.00 for the XFX HD5770, would it be pratical to 2-way Crossfire these? Or would you wait for the price to drop a bit more?

Also, if the price was to drop, would it be worthwhile to 3-way Crossfire these on my x58a-ud5?

 

[RussianSensation]

3-way crossfire - noisy. Scaling efficiency drops off significantly.

2-way 5770 CF = 5870 roughly. Personally, I would choose a single card solution over 5770 in CF setup if they are priced similarly. I would pick a $300 GTX470 or $350 5870 over $340 5770s. If you can get the 5770s for $260-280, then it's the better setup.