Looking for vid card recommendations, followed format. =)

[NINaudio]

Purchase Details:

1.Budget(Be sure to include currency if not USD):

$200-350

2.Do you consider rebates?

Would prefer not to rely on them to stay in my price range

3.Any particular preferences(Manufacturer[nV or AMD], Brand[XFX, Sapp, EVGA, etc], non reference cooler)?

At least a 3 year warranty, I usually buy Nvidia cards. If I could use my current 9800gt as a physx card that would make me lean towards sticking with Nvidia.

4. Crossfire/SLI?

No

5.Have you previously looked at a product which you feel would fill your needs?

GTX460, GTX470, GTX560, GTX570, Radeon 6950

6.Which games (If any)do you plan to play and @ which desired detail levels?

Guild Wars 2, Battlefield: BC 2, Mass Effect 2. All at 1920 x 1200 with max quality.

7. Are there any other uses(Folding, Photoshop, Video editing or watching Blu-Ray) or features (DX11, CUDA, OpenGL, 3D, Eyefinity) you are looking for besides gaming?

DX11, watching blu-rays

8. Is the performance added by overclocking something you would take into consideration?

yes

System Specs:

specs in sig

2.Monitor Resolution:

1920 x 1200

 

[DaveSimmons]

GTX 560 since you want 19x12 max quality and prefer nvidia.

Since you care about warranty you might spend an extra $10 for the EVGA 850 MHz model with lifetime warranty ($259 at newegg). EVGA also is using a "true" 560 PCB and cooler, not a GTX 460 design with just the chip replaced.

 

[dpodblood]

GTX 560 ~$250
GTX 470 ~$350
HD 6950 ~$300

For those games and that resolution the 560 is probably the best bet. I believe XFX and Evga have the best warranties, but Galaxy, Gigabyte, and MSI have some nice pre-overclocked models with non-reference coolers.

 

[NINaudio]

Thanks both. Dpod, why not the gtx 570 for $350?

 

[dpodblood]

Thanks both. Dpod, why not the gtx 570 for $350?

Hey if you've got the cash totally go for the 570. But; If you wanna save a bit of cash you will get good results from the 560 at those resolutions as well.

 

[NINaudio]

Then I guess my next question comes down to: 470 vs 560. Similar prices, similar performance, is there a reason to pick one over the other?

 

[dpodblood]

Then I guess my next question comes down to: 470 vs 560. Similar prices, similar performance, is there a reason to pick one over the other?

Yes; and actually this just came up in the official 560 thread. Both are the same price, but the 560 performs better, and has lower power consumption. So unless you can find a 470 for an insanely low price it's not even worth considering.

 

[SolMiester]

Then I guess my next question comes down to: 470 vs 560. Similar prices, similar performance, is there a reason to pick one over the other?

I believe the 560 has better power and noise ratios...it also clocks like a demon and is quicker at stock

 

[-Slacker-]

The 560 eats less watts and is much cooler an quieter.

For 19x12 and max settings I'd recommend to try your luck with unlocking a reference 6950 into a 6970. The success rate should be well over 90% (I only know one guy an the forum who tried it and failed.)

edit: I wouldn't count on the 9800gt as a vary good phsx accelerator though. Since a gtx 560 is almost 3 times faster, you should be getting about the same frame rates with or without the phisx accelerator (the 9800gt will start being a bottleneck for anything faster than a ~gtx460-ish card)

 

[happy medium]

Is the performance added by overclocking something you would take into consideration?

They have a gigabyte gtx560 at newegg @ 900 core for 249$. It should reach 1gz core easy. Anything over 1gz core is matching a gtx570 and 6970 for 249$.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Any card in that price range will do what you are asking. It really just comes down to exactly how much you want to spend. A 560 vs. 570... it really just depends on what you want to spend. You could get a 460 and overclock it to 560 speeds. You could get a 560 and overclock it to 570 speeds. You could get a 570 and overclock it... you get the point.

 

[dpodblood]

They have a gigabyte gtx560 at newegg @ 900 core for 249$. It should reach 1gz core easy. Anything over 1gz core is matching a gtx570 and 6970 for 249$.

Agreed. I would go for the Gigabyte OC, or the MSI.

 

[Bearach]

They have a gigabyte gtx560 at newegg @ 900 core for 249$. It *could* reach 1gz core. Anything over 1gz core is matching a gtx570 and 6970 for 249$.

I too think the GTX560 is probably the best choice for your budget and resolution, but 1Ghz is not guaranteed at all, so please don't base your purchase on that.

It's too early to know just how far is the basic overclock for a 560, it could be that some/most reach 1Ghz, while some don't even go 25Mhz past stock, it's all down to luck.

IDontCare has been met with this, regardless of people believing the GTX460 is able to easily get to 900Mhz, and all of them can get to 850 without even a bit of voltage. His couldn't.

Perhaps this one being the best deal for you? EVGA are a good manufacturer and you've obviously had good experience with their cards?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-610-_-Product

 

[happy medium]

Agreed. I would go for the Gigabyte OC, or the MSI.

If he needs or wants more power there is a gtx570 for 315$ AR with free Just cause 2 game. That a great deal for the money.
Thats 6970 performance for 50$ less, overclocked it should = a 500$ gtx580.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-070-_-Product

This card and the gtx560 @ 900 core for 249$ are the best deals out there.

 

[NINaudio]

Bearach, I've had a number of cards die on me and EVGA's lifetime warranty has definitely come in handy for me at least a few times over the years, one time even netting me a better card. I remember having a 256mb 7900gt that died on me, and they sent me back a 512mb 7900 gto. Though I hardly ever have a card for more than 3 years, so I don't think a 3 year warranty from another reputable manufacturer should be a problem in that regard.

 

[Bearach]

Bearach, I've had a number of cards die on me and EVGA's lifetime warranty has definitely come in handy for me at least a few times over the years, one time even netting me a better card. I remember having a 256mb 7900gt that died on me, and they sent me back a 512mb 7900 gto. Though I hardly ever have a card for more than 3 years, so I don't think a 3 year warranty from another reputable manufacturer should be a problem in that regard.

Then I'd recommend this Gigabyte one: (Out of the MSI and Gigabyte whom are very close in quality, and also have good warranties from what I know.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125363

You get a little more for your money clockwise, is only reason I'd pick this one over the MSI.

You couldn't go wrong with either though.

 

[NINaudio]

Is the SOC version available anywhere? I can't seem to find in stock anywhere...

 

[bryanW1995]

The 560 eats less watts and is much cooler an quieter.

For 19x12 and max settings I'd recommend to try your luck with unlocking a reference 6950 into a 6970. The success rate should be well over 90% (I only know one guy an the forum who tried it and failed.)

edit: I wouldn't count on the 9800gt as a vary good phsx accelerator though. Since a gtx 560 is almost 3 times faster, you should be getting about the same frame rates with or without the phisx accelerator (the 9800gt will start being a bottleneck for anything faster than a ~gtx460-ish card)

at that high of a resolution and all the eye candy I'd steer clear of a 560. 570 is a great choice, but I agree that 6950 2gb unlocked to 6970 is better b/c it will give you ~ 95% + of a 570 and even before rebates is $50 cheaper (dropping closer to $270 AR now). just make sure you get the 2gb card b/c it has a manual dual bios, leading to risk-free flashing.

edit: happy medium's link for $315 for a 570 is probably an equivalent deal to the 6950, with your stated nvidia preference I'd probably go for this one instead.

 

[Bearach]

Is the SOC version available anywhere? I can't seem to find in stock anywhere...

The EVGA and Gigabyte are both in stock on NewEgg, according to their site. Also in stock at TigerDirect too.

 

[NINaudio]

So I have put in an order for the 1000mhz core clocked SOC gigabyte card at TigerDirect. Let's see if they actually ship it in 7-10 days like their website says. =) Thanks for all the advice!

 

[supastar1568]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. I also have an e8400 at 3.8, and am looking at 6950 and gtx570, and surprised no one has mentioned a potential "bottleneck" because of the CPU.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Dont know if anyone asked this but whats your monitors native resolution?

Oh sorry there it is 1900x1200

GTX 460 all the way

 

[Vette73]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. I also have an e8400 at 3.8, and am looking at 6950 and gtx570, and surprised no one has mentioned a potential "bottleneck" because of the CPU.

The board (P35 chipset) uses a PCIe 1.1 so the board will limit the Video card a little as well. So if you tested it would look like the CPU is the limit but could also be a board issue.

The P43/P45 chipset gave PCIe 2.0.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. I also have an e8400 at 3.8, and am looking at 6950 and gtx570, and surprised no one has mentioned a potential "bottleneck" because of the CPU.

1900x1200 --->E8400 @ 3.8 (425*9) @ 1.34v

What bottleneck

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

The board (P35 chipset) uses a PCIe 1.1 so the board will limit the Video card a little as well. So if you tested it would look like the CPU is the limit but could also be a board issue.

The P43/P45 chipset gave PCIe 2.0.

you sure?