New video card ?'s

[TheDrake]

I would normally not be asking this question as I havent played a game on the PC in a few years but with SC2 and FFXIV coming out in the next few weeks/months I have been persuaded to build a new gaming rig.

I currently have a Dell XPS M1530 w/8400M which I dont even think will run SC2 on the lowest settings. Definitely wont run FFXIV. Will be selling that to help fund the new build as well.

Budget is pretty flexible, I was looking at either a 5770 on the budget side or 5850/GTX 470 on the other. The PC will be in the living room so it will need to be fairly quiet at idle, at full load it doesnt matter. My questions: Is there any reason to wait a few months to start building a machine? Should I be looking at any other cards? Should I be looking into SLI/Crossfire?

Any and all advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

[nenforcer]

You've waited long enough! Tomorrow will be a great day to decide between a Geforce GTX 460 and an ATI Radeon HD 5770 in that $200 price range.

The GTX 460 is released tomorrow.

Either of these cards will run not only SC2 but FF:XIV as well.

 

[TheDrake]

I just checked out the reviews on the 460, didnt really think much of it at first but that might just be perfect for my needs and if I need more juice later I can always do SLI.

 

[Sylvanas]

I just checked out the reviews on the 460, didnt really think much of it at first but that might just be perfect for my needs and if I need more juice later I can always do SLI.

A 460 will be more than enough to max SC2. With a decent CPU you will have all you need and it won't cost the earth.

 

[faxon]

given the $200 pricepoint you are looking at, my only real question is if you play on a 1080p or higher resolution monitor. if so you would be better suited spending a bit extra for the 1GB GTX460, otherwise get the 768MB 460 and overclock the balls off whichever one you get. looks like a lot of peoples waiting has paid off, i know i ragged really hard on nvidia ever since the 58xx launch for their fail execution and then at the GF100 launch for their lackluster quality in terms of perf/watt, noise, and heat, but they REALLY nailed where their product needed to be for the 460 launch in both price/performance, as well as in efficiency. will be recommending only these cards until ATI price structure adjusts to reflect price/performance again or they release a filler product

 

[bryanW1995]

what resolution?

 

[Bill Brasky]

what resolution?

this :thumbsup:

 

[TheDrake]

Well I never said I was looking at $200 price range. My price point is pretty flexible, I can do $400 if price/performance is there.

And yes I plan to run at 19x12 as that is the native resolution of my two monitors.

 

[RussianSensation]

Well my best advice is to wait until Starcraft 2 actually comes out on July 27th (as that's the first game on your list). At the very least, that's another 2 weeks to see what ATI does with 5850's pricing and the rest of their lineup. Final Fantasy XIV won't come out until September 30, 2010. Who knows what the graphics card market will be then in terms of pricing.

BTW, even a 5770 will play SC2 @ 1920x1200. If you intend to play newer games, I'd spend extra on the GTX460 1GB though (and overclock it of course!)

If you must upgrade now, I would say GTX460 1GB is the best bang for the buck. Personally, I would wait another 2 weeks to see ATI's move and plus we should see a lot more offerings from NV for 1GB versions of the GTX460.

 

[bryanW1995]

definitely wait until starcraft actually comes out. there will be plenty of people running it on 19x12, that should give you a good idea on the right card for your rig.