GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

http://xfxforce.com/en-gb/products/g...ries/4670.aspx

Look, like I mentioned earlier, it’s not even the best value. Depending on what you actually need, the NVIDIA GTX 460 1GB or the 6870 are much better deals.

stormywolf39 said:To follow up on my previous breakdown regarding graphics cards, I took TechPowerUp’s performance summaries for current cards at 1920x1200 resolution, tracked down their lowest prices currently available in the US, and put together a roundup. This covers price, performance relative to the top-tier 5970, and "bang for buck"—that sweet spot of value versus raw power:

Card Model / Price / Performance / Bang for buck

HD5970 /100%/4100/24.3
GTX 480 /87%/3000/29
HD5870 /75%/1850/40.5
NVIDIA GTX 470 /71%/1850/38.4
HD6870 /71%/1700/41.8
HD5850 /64%/1600/40
HD6850 /61%/1330/45.9
NVIDIA GTX 460 1Gb /59%/1250/47.2
NVIDIA GTX 460 768 Mb/55%/1150/47.8
HD5830 /50%/1400/35.7
HD4870 /45%/950/47.3
HD5770 /44%/1000/44
GTX450 /37%/830/44.8
HD4850 /36%/800/45

Obviously, with the last metric, higher is better. Of course, there are other variables to consider—power draw, noise, thermals, and DX10/DX11 support—but this snapshot shows a few things: the 5870 and 6870 are better values than the GTX 470. The 6850 and the GTX 460 1GB are neck-and-neck in terms of value; the 6850 offers slightly better performance, but the solid overclocking potential of the 460 makes it a tight race. Even at its current low price, the 5850 isn't a great buy; the price would need to drop further to make it worth picking up right now. In the lower tier, the HD4870 still looks surprisingly cost-effective, even if it's pushing the lower limits of acceptable performance for this resolution.

Nice work. Very thorough.

Just tell me one thing: where in the States can I actually find an 5870 for $617? 🙂

Jason Bailey58 said:Nice work!

Just let me know where I can pick up an HD 5870 around here for $617? 🙂

http://www.newegg.com/product_info.php?c...oducts_id=7536

☕ 😉

lol good thing I'm only on the admin panel every other day, otherwise I would have missed this entirely! 😁

Hey everyone! I'm stuck between these two GPUs and can't decide which one to grab. Need some help here.

Check the two posts above; then you'll know.

5850 or 6870? Which one's actually worth the cash?

Just look at the last four posts, then you'll get it.

Here’s what I’m running right now:

CPU
Intel Core i7-13700K @ 2.40GHz 36 °C
Conroe 65nm Technology
RAM
2.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz (5-5-5-18)
Motherboard
ASUS 965P-DS3 (Socket 775)
Graphics
SyncMaster @ 1280x1024
256MB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (Omega 3.8.442) (ASUS)
Power Supply
450 W Chieftec

Looking to grab a new GPU for around $1200.$433, I was eyeing the EVGA GeForce GTX 460. Since I'm pretty clueless when it comes to hardware, quick question: would it make sense to go out and buy 4 GB of new DDR3 RAM, or should I just stick to upgrading what I've already got?

Look, since your motherboard is stuck on DDR2, you might as well grab another 2 GB of RAM. It’ll buy you some breathing room. Honestly, if you’re sticking with your current resolution and this monitor, that GPU is total overkill—especially considering how much your processor is lagging behind. You'd be better off picking up an NVIDIA GTX 450, an ATI Radeon HD 5750, or even a 4870, plus that extra RAM. For that price, you can actually afford to think about hunting down a decent used CPU down the road.

The 460 only makes sense if you're stepping up to a 22"+ screen or hitting 1680x1050+.

Edit: Generally speaking, your best bet is probably just buying everything used. Grab a 4870, maybe a Core 2 duo E7500 or, ideally, an E8400, and throw in 2x1GB of DDR2. If you aren't planning on upgrading the monitor anytime soon, you'll be set for another few years.

ruggedowl6 said:Here’s the setup:

I guess we should probably talk about CPUs.
Intel Core 2 duo E6600 @ 2.40GHz is sitting at 36 °C. I guess that's pretty decent.
The Conroe 65nm technology is finally here. It’s an interesting step forward, I guess.
Maybe we should talk about RAM.
Maybe 2.0GB of Dual-Channel DDR2 running at 399MHz (with 5-5-5-18 timings).
Maybe just a motherboard? I guess we'll see.
ASUS 965P-DS3 (Socket 775)
Graphics.
SyncMaster running at 1280x1024.
256MB Radeon X1950 Pro (Omega 3.8.442) (ASUS)
Power supply.
I guess a 450W Chieftec might do the trick, maybe.

What kind of graphics card should I look for if my budget is around $1,200?$433I was looking at the MSI N460GTX CYC.768D5/OC, but honestly, I’m a bit out of my depth when it comes to hardware. Just one more question: would it be any smarter to go out and buy a new 4 GB stick of DDR3, or should I just try upgrading what I've already got?

I saw an ad online for an Intel Core 2 duo E6600. It looks like a decent little chip if you just need something basic to get by. I guess it might be worth picking up for a budget build, though I'm not entirely sure.

Maybe offer him $550 for that processor.$200

This card:

I saw this listing for a graphics card online. It looks like an interesting find, though I guess it depends on what you're looking to get out of it. Maybe worth a look if you need something specific.

RAM:

I saw this listing for some RAM on Craigslist earlier. It looks like a decent deal, I guess, if you're looking to upgrade an older system. Maybe worth a look if you need the extra memory.

Total: ~$433

😉

Which GPU should I go with? The HD 4670 or the HD 5670? Any advice?

5670 obviously... you've got $170 if I recall correctly, the 512MB version, and then there's probably a $230 1GB version too (though why bother with 1GB unless you're pushing resolutions higher than 1680x920?)..

Any idea why they slashed the prices on the Sapphire 5670 512MB DDR5 over at Best Buy? 🙂

Here’s what I’m looking at:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 paired with a Scythe Mugen 2 Rev B
ASROCK 870 EXTREME3 motherboard
4GB (2X2GB) Corsair DDR RAM @ 1600MHz
1TB Western Digital HDD (1002FAEX SATA 6Gb/s 64MB)
650W Corsair power supply

Should I pull the trigger on this?
EVGA GeForce GTX Series 1GB GDDR5 PCIE
Or maybe
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 1GB GDDR5 256BIT

The rig is basically intended for nothing but digital carnage.

The EVGA GeForce GTX Series ... it’s in a completely different league than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460. How can you even compare the two? 🤷

Hey everyone, looking to grab a new GPU for around 500-$500 maybe something a bit punchier than my current 😁

I'm rocking an Nvidia GT220/1GBD3 right now... if anyone could drop a link for me, I'd really appreciate it xD

ps.
• CPU Dual core 3.0
• RAM 4 GB
• VGA nVIDIA GT220/1GBD3
• Hard disk Western Digital 500 GB SATAII
• DVD-RW Apple

velvetsailor25 said:Hey everyone, I'm looking to pick up a new graphics card for about $500--$500 maybe something slightly better than 😁

Currently running an Nvidia GT220/1GBD3... if anyone could drop a link, I'd really appreciate it. xD

What about the rest of the build? CPU, RAM, PSU?
You need to provide details.
Your budget is a joke. In the corporate world, it works like this: someone is given a set amount, they have to make every cent count, otherwise their next budget gets slashed... and so on. But we can't help you if you don't list your specs.

EDIT: what's the power supply??? and what exact CPU are you using?