Best GFX for $250.00

I am getting tired of my GTX 260 16. I am getting lots of artifacts. The most graphics intensive thing I do now is Battlefield 3 and BC2. The rest of it is used for heavy multitasking and document writing along with web browsing. The maximum I would LIKE to spend is $250.00. The ABSOLUTE MAX I can spend is $260.00. This INCLUDES SHIPPING. I can get anything on amazon prime free shipping. I don't care about the manufacturer. Interestingly enough there is a post in this section talking about issues with Linux and Nvidia. I would like to do more work on ubuntu but don't want to rule out Nvidia because of it. Right now, according to most of the ratings, the GTX 560TI is marked as the best (overall). The 6970 seems to get equal ratings. I don't know much about AMD's GFX cards.

http://graphics-cards-review.toptenreviews.com/

http://community.futuremark.com/hardware/gpu

either one would be great.

If you're comfortable with nvidia then stick with them.

If you do decide on the GTX560 Ti, make sure that it is the 448core version, not the old 384core version. I had the latter, and it, surprisingly, performed pretty well. The 448core versipn would be faster, and when OCed, matches the GTX570. The only downside is, it comes in 1280mb and 2560mb version I believe, woth the latter being quite pricey.

But, if you are willing to try AMD, there are a number of HD7850 2gb which would suit your budget as well, there is a bunch of them here:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...eywords=hd7850
These badboys OC nicely, nearing GTX580 performance at times, best bang for buck card right now. They come in 2gb flavors which would allow you to max out just about every game @1080P, like BF3 SP mode, or Max Payne 3 for example.

IF you are more comfortable with nVidia, the GTX560 Ti 448core's the one to get.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikeysg

If you do decide on the GTX560 Ti, make sure that it is the 448core version, not the old 384core version. I had the latter, and it, surprisingly, performed pretty well. The 448core versipn would be faster, and when OCed, matches the GTX570. The only downside is, it comes in 1280mb and 2560mb version I believe, woth the latter being quite pricey.

But, if you are willing to try AMD, there are a number of HD7850 2gb which would suit your budget as well, there is a bunch of them here:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...eywords=hd7850
These badboys OC nicely, nearing GTX580 performance at times, best bang for buck card right now. They come in 2gb flavors which would allow you to max out just about every game @1080P, like BF3 SP mode, or Max Payne 3 for example.

IF you are more comfortable with nVidia, the GTX560 Ti 448core's the one to get.

---

Well right now, I am not picky. I will take any company. I just want it to perform well without major driver issues or overheating. That's it. I don't care if it's not Nvidia anymore. HOLY COW - that GFX card requires 500W PSU!. Mine is 750 (see sig).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kujoe2002

Well right now, I am not picky. I will take any company. I just want it to perform well without major driver issues or overheating. That's it. I don't care if it's not Nvidia anymore.

---

The thing is, our opinion of any brand is often colored by our experience with them. I have 2x HD7970 3GB in CFX, as well as a HD6950 @HD6970 spec, and I have had no major issue with AMD driver (minor ones every now and then, yes). Same goes with the nV cards I have, like the aforementioned GTX560 Ti + GTX460 768MB (PhysX) which ran just about every game I threw at it....except for one, BulletStorm which simply refused to start since it kept insisting my PhysX driver was outdated, and I had the latest instally at the time. I did not crap about it as I could run the game on my oter rigs.

Now, I think you should be prepared to encounter an issue or two every now and then, it is just part and parcel of dealing with these vid cards, be it nV or AMD. Just like the HD7850, some have had issues with games, other said it ran perfectly with the same games. What works for most, may not work for some.....c'est la vie.:)

Well I have narrowed it down to 4. I have made the exception to bump up my price. Out of the 4 listed below, which one would you get? Mind you that I only have a 750W PSU.

MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

XFX Double Df HD-695X-CDFC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express

GIGABYTE GV-R785OC-2GD Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDC

MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16

Now I will be getting a new mobo:
Biostar TZ68K+ Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 1333

with new CPU, etc. I think there is one video card with 2.1 x16. Will that be a problem?

Here is a comparison link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709&IsNodeId=1&bop=An d&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=48|14-127-565^14-127-565-TS%2C14-125-419^14-125-419-TS%2C14-127-562^14-127-562-TS%2C14-150-549^14-150-549-TS

i would go for the 560ti... radeon's 6XXX series tend to have a slight power usage advantage over their nvidia 5XX counterparts. the nvidia 6XX series completely dominate the radeon 7XXX series in pretty much every aspect except price (which is why i went with a radeon 7950)

i like the geforce cards simply because of native FXAA support in their drivers, it makes a huge difference if you care at all for FSAA

You can get a Zotac GTX 580 (refurbished) with a 60 day warranty from SabrePC for $279.99.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZOTAC-AMP-ZT...ht_2307wt_1139

There is NOTHING that will come close to that in that price range. Can find some used GTX 580s in that price range also, if you'd prefer buying from another enthusiast.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OpStar

You can get a Zotac GTX 580 (refurbished) with a 60 day warranty from SabrePC for $279.99.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZOTAC-AMP-ZT...ht_2307wt_1139

There is NOTHING that will come close to that in that price range. Can find some used GTX 580s in that price range also, if you'd prefer buying from another enthusiast.

---

i got my radeon 7950 brand new for ~$300 and its pretty much on par or slightly faster than your $280 gtx580.... all while using anywhere from 30-100 less watts of power.

dont get me wrong, i would much rather have say a gtx660 if it ever comes out but the 78XX/79XX series is better than all of nvidias last gen stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kpxgq

i got my radeon 7950 brand new for ~$300 and its pretty much on par or slightly faster than your $280 gtx580.... all while using anywhere from 30-100 less watts of power.

dont get me wrong, i would much rather have say a gtx660 if it ever comes out but the 78XX/79XX series is better than all of nvidias last gen stuff.

---

Yeah, but can you still get the 7950 for 300? If not, then it is irrelevent what you got yours for. I see a few for 320 after a mail in rebate, but I wouldn't hassle with those. If you really want to stretch the dollar, you can sell the steam codes for the 3 games that are bundled with the card for around 30-40 dollars total to mitigate the cost. That 280 580 deal is a steal for the performance. I would get that any day over the other options listed in this thread.

I tend to lean to nvidia these days. I've owned tons of both brands and have had an easier time with nvidia. I like their driver package much more than catalyst.

Well, I have used cards from both, but my preference has always been for the red team. If it is 280 for the 2.5-3gb version of the GTX580, hell ya! But if it is for the 1.5gb version, I would consider the HD7950 3gb simply because the GTX580 1.5GB cannot do certain games at max setting because of lack of VRAM, unless you can live with framerate spikes. MP3 @1080P at max setting chews up more than 1.5gb of VRAM, and I believe more and more games will require hefty VRAM.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Timman_24

Yeah, but can you still get the 7950 for 300?

---

you can get them used for $300-320 easy... opstars's deal was a refurbished so its the same thing IMHO

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kpxgq

you can get them used for $300-320 easy... opstars's deal was a refurbished so its the same thing IMHO

---

I've purchased used equipment before, but I wouldn't give my recommendation to do so. I know going in that there could be difficulties. For myself, I'm okay with it, but I would never recommend to another person to go used just because I have a way for myself of filtering what I believe to be good used items and bad used items. I know when I recommend a new item, that it will have a warranty and will be in good condition. I feel more comfortable recommending refurbs as well since they typically come with a warranty and have been professionally inspected.

I say with absolute certainty that the OP has a much better chance of having a smooth experience sticking to the new route.

Its too bad nvidia hasn't released the 660 yet, as it is hard to recommend anything in the 200-300 dollar price range. You either get power hungry, fast last gen gear or slow, newer stuff.

It makes me glad I jumped in the deep end and bought a 680. I don't have to worry about anything for well over a year. I just upgraded to 2560x1440 and it still chews through games maxed. I fired up sky rim today and had it absolutely maxed, every slider to the right, and never dropped below 60fps that vsync locked the frames at. It looked incredible on the new monitor :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikeysg

But if it is for the 1.5gb version, I would consider the HD7950 3gb simply because the GTX580 1.5GB cannot do certain games at max setting because of lack of VRAM, unless you can live with framerate spikes

---

C'mon Mikey that is absolutely false. Not even Max Payne 3 runs out of vram on a 1.5 gig 580. I can't believe you'd fabricate stuff like that :( While games like BF3 will use up any vram that is available that isn't the same as saying you'd run out of vram. Not to mention single card/single monitor you'd run out of GPU power before you'd run out of vram.

Personally at 2560x1440 with all settings maxed (Except MSAA, which is at MSAAx4) and Windows 7 aero disabled, highest I have seen is 1.8GB, as you can see 2GB is plenty even at 2560x1440.

From a mod over at OCN. So basically you'd have to run settings a 580 wouldn't be fast enough to run to use more vram than the 580 has.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kpxgq

you can get them used for $300-320 easy... opstars's deal was a refurbished so its the same thing IMHO

---

It's from SabrePC with a 60 day warranty. That isn't the same thing as used at all.

Go to Steam, there are threads on it. If you have MP3, try adjusting the ingame setting and it will show you the amount of VRAM required....if your card does not have the required VRAM, I hear it will dynamically adjust so that even if you had set it to use more VRAM than you have, it will run at a lower setting within the limit of your VRAM. Others have said higher ingame options were not avaiable to them due to their cards.....or VRAM perhaps. I would suggest you install MP3 and see it for yourself before you accuse me of lying about something.....I actually have the game and have tinkered with ingame setting. At very high res, 2560x1600 or EF mode, even 3gb may not be enough.

I am insulted that you actually think I would resort to such an underhanded means to make a point.:( If you believe I am spreading falsehood, let me know and show me the error of my way, besides, do you think that after all these years, I would deliberately spread lies?! Bah, I am done with this thread anyway.....to the OP, I hope you will be happy with whatever card you choose, be it nV or AMD, and have fun gaming with it. :)

Edit - Gonna take a break from here for a period of time. I really do not need to be called a liar from someone I had considered a friend....farewell and adieu, guys!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OpStar

It's from SabrePC with a 60 day warranty. That isn't the same thing as used at all.

---

i have seen multiple used 7950's with warranty intact (some lifetime) under $320... i was actually selling my xfx 7950 with lifetime warranty for $310 shipped at hard ocp... so yes its not the same thing.. with due diligence, the radeon is still the better deal

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikeysg

I would suggest you install MP3 and see it for yourself before you accuse me of lying about something.

---

I have Max Payne 3 and I've read tons of articles about it as well. The VRAM issue with Max Payne 3 is completely overstated.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?...ght=680+owners

Also I didn't call you a liar, I just implied that your statement about the vram issues of the 1.5gb 580 was more fabrication than truth - but I never said you'd maliciously lead someone astray. You're not the first person I've heard talk about Max Payne 3 and vram either. In fact there are discussions about it everywhere. The simple fact is the 580 gpu itself would be too slow for a game at certain settings before you'd run out of vram.