Help with getting the right GTX 560ti or 6950

[CasaDeOrellana]

I was originally planning on getting the Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti but decided against it since my case can barely hold (size) an 8800GT. So I’m back at square one, only this time I’m taking the lazier route and asking the community for feedback on a good card under $300.


I'm mainly interested in playing Portal 2 & Mass Effect 2.




OS: Microsoft Windows XP SP3

CPU: AMD Athlon(tm) II X3 445
3.10 GHz
RAM: 3.25GB of RAM
MOB: NF750-G55
PSU: OCZ GXS 700

 

[Red Hawk]

Just Portal 2 & Mass Effect 2? You'd probably only want something like a Geforce 550/Radeon HD 6850 if that's what you're concerned about, no more than $150 really. Unless you plan on playing on some uber monitor running at 2560x1440 or other.

 

[CasaDeOrellana]

What about Battlefield 3?

 

[Red Hawk]

Battlefield 3 is a whole other ball of wax, and its maxed out settings will be much more demanding than Mass Effect 2 or Portal 2. For BF3 you'll definitely want to spend around $300 so you can turn everything up. But I'm not as familiar with cards in that price range as I am with lower-end cards.

 

[Blitz KriegeR]

Depends on the prices of what is available to you. Some 6950s can be had for under $250 with rebates; $230 if you are ok with the 1GB version. Likewise, if you can get a GTX460 1GB for $140 after rebate, it will perform 80% of a 560Ti. Also, don't discount a 560-vanila if you can get it for around $180-190.

EDIT: Found this GTX560 Ti for $180 after rebate, a fucking steal! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...130634&cm_re=gtx560_ti-_-14-130-634-_-Product

Or this one with a custom cooler for $190 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

 

[Elixer]

Hmm, I would think a 6950 would be too much for your CPU, unless you play at some very high resolutions ?

 

[CasaDeOrellana]

Sweet finds. I was just looking at the same card the benchmarks don’t look that bad compared to the 6950.

EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

 

[toyota]

Hmm, I would think a 6950 would be too much for your CPU, unless you play at some very high resolutions ?

I was thinking the same thing. I would not even consider the 6950 or gtx560 ti at all unless playing at 1920x1080/1200.

 

[toyota]

Sweet finds. I was just looking at the same card the benchmarks don’t look that bad compared to the 6950.

EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB.
[FONT=&quot]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604[/FONT]

what res are you going to play at???

 

[CasaDeOrellana]

Excellent question, currently with the 8800GT the resolution compatible with the monitor is 1360x768 once I purchase a full 1080p monitor I’d like to move towards a 1920x1080 resolution. I just want to purchase a card that will last me another 3-4 years like the 8800GT has. [FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

 

[toyota]

well if you dont plan on getting a 1080 monitor very soon then dont buy a card like that right now. even at 1080 your cpu is not going to give all the performance a 6950 or gtx560 ti can give. no point in wasting half the cards performance at just 1360x768 for several months because when you get the monitor there will be faster cards for cheaper.

 

[CasaDeOrellana]

well if you don't plan on getting a 1080 monitor very soon then don't buy a card like that right now. even at 1080 your CPU is not going to give all the performance a 6950 or gtx560 ti can give. no point in wasting half the cards performance at just 1360x768 for several months because when you get the monitor there will be faster cards for cheaper.

Originally I was planning on getting a GTX 460. It wasn’t until the GTX 560 Ti came out that I decided against it.

1st Option:
MSI Cyclone GeForce GTX 460 1gb.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127510

 

[Blitz KriegeR]

MSI Cyclone GeForce GTX 460 1gb.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127510

Helllllzzzz NO!!

Either this and OC yourself: $110 stock GTX460
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-591-_-Product

Or this superclocked 460 $150 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-596-_-Product

 

[CasaDeOrellana]

Helllllzzzz NO!!

Either this and OC yourself: $110 stock GTX460
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-591-_-Product

Or this superclocked 460 $150 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-596-_-Product

Awesome recommendations, I seriously appreciate it. It’ll definitely save me a lot of cash, although I’m still doing a bit more research on the GTX 560Ti.

 

[3DVagabond]

Helllllzzzz NO!!

Either this and OC yourself: $110 stock GTX460
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-591-_-Product

Or this superclocked 460 $150 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-596-_-Product

The first one listed is an a 460SE. I wouldn't get one. There's a reason why they're cheaper. They are a slower further castrated chip. The superclocked is a good card though.

I would still opt for the 560ti/6950 though, if it's not too much money.

 

[toyota]

I would just get the cheapest 460 I could find. there is no point in spending 100-125 bucks more on a gtx560 or 6950 to play at 1360x768. he would never see the difference with his cpu at that res. plus if he decides to get a monitor way down the road then he can just sell the card for only a small loss and pick up a better card at that time. we will probably be looking at gtx660 and 7950 gpus for the same money as gtx560 by that time.

 

[CasaDeOrellana]

I would just get the cheapest 460 I could find. there is no point in spending 100-125 bucks more on a gtx560 or 6950 to play at 1360x768. he would never see the difference with his cpu at that res. plus if he decides to get a monitor way down the road then he can just sell the card for only a small loss and pick up a better card at that time. we will probably be looking at gtx660 and 7950 gpus for the same money as gtx560 by that time.

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. Even though I’ll be bottle-necking the card with my current setup, I’m leaning towards getting the GTX 560Ti regardless. Since this card will be a gift and cost absolutely zero dollars, I can’t pass it up. I’ll probably invest in a full 1080p monitor later this week.

Thanks again for the advice and take care.