GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

Bryan Evans77 said:EVGA GeForce GTX 460 OC Ultra series 👍

Can I ask why, though? From what I can gather—and I might be wrong here—the core clock looks lower, whatever that actually implies... and honestly, I have zero intention of overclocking anything just to squeeze out a bit more speed.

If my memory serves me right, the Radeon 6850 actually pulled ahead in those benchmarks when it comes to actual gaming performance, but then again, I'm probably a total amateur when it comes to this kind of technical stuff.

It’s got two fans that run super quiet and cool. Honestly, core clock speeds don't even matter here because ATI and Nvidia use totally different architectures—you can't just compare them directly. Take the GTX 280, for example; it clocks in at 675, but it’s still an absolute beast even if it is getting older 🙂. From what I can see, the GTX 460 is only trailing the 6850 by a single frame in most tests, but it has those CUDA cores which are huge if you're doing any video transcoding or processing. Meanwhile, the 6850 just gives you EyeFinity—and unless you're planning on hooking up three monitors, what's the point?

I’d still go with the GTX 460... but look, the truth is you really can't go wrong either way 👍

p.s. I'm not an Nvidia fanboy (I actually use an ATI card), so don't think I'm just biased toward Nvidia...

Bryan Evans77 said:I've got two fans that run dead silent and provide some seriously decent cooling—honestly, they're doing a much better job than I expected.

Look, this is actually pretty significant—even I noticed it, and I'm practically a total novice at this.

Bryan Evans77 said:Core clock speeds don't really matter all that much in this specific scenario—mostly because ATI and Nvidia are built on completely different architectures, I guess.

So, I've come to realize—and I guess it’s one of those things you only figure out after staring at benchmarks long enough—that the core clock speed isn't actually the deciding factor. It turns out that specific metric doesn't matter nearly as much as everyone seems to think it does.

Bryan Evans77 said:From what I can gather looking at these benchmarks—and I guess it’s just my observation here—the GTX 460 seems to be performing worse than the HD 6850 by about a single frame across the board. It's a pretty marginal difference, really, but still... it's there.

So, I guess we’re finally admitting it—is the 6850 actually the better bet for gaming after all?

Bryan Evans77 said:But look—you've got those CUDA cores, which actually help out whenever you're dealing with video transcoding or any kind of media processing... whereas that 6850 only gives you Eyefinity. And honestly, if I recall correctly, you aren't even planning on running a triple-monitor setup, are you? Or maybe I'm just misremembering your build plans.

Look, I'm certainly not going to be running a three-monitor setup—that seems like overkill to me—but then again, I don't have any intention of doing heavy video editing or anything of that nature, either. 🙂

Bryan Evans77 said:P.S.—just so we’re clear—I’m not exactly an Nvidia devotee (I actually run an AMD card myself), so please don't go thinking I'm just out here playing cheerleader for Nvidia...

Look, man, I don't see the issue—it’s all good with me.

So, look... let me get this straight—if you're strictly, exclusively buying a card just to play games, would you still pull the trigger on this GTX 460 regardless of what all these benchmark tests are saying?

Look, if you’re actually planning on pulling the trigger on that, then I suppose I am too—but you better think long and hard about it. I mean, seriously, don't go making a mess of this and leave me hanging. 😁

Core clock speeds matter, sure, but if you're just comparing ATI to ATI or Nvidia to Nvidia... there’s really no point in pitting them against each other right now.

As for what you should actually pick... look...
Just read through this... or don't, whatever, but at least scan the performance charts for the games you actually plan on playing.
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...ing-study.html

Once you see which one fits your needs, grab it... let me know once you've looked it over.

If you're strictly gaming? Yeah, the 6850 is the better call.🙂

But I'm telling you... do your homework first, then buy.👍 Don't go buying something only to end up kicking yourself later.

Bryan Evans77 said:Core clock speeds certainly matter—they really do—but I feel like we’re missing the forest for the trees here. If you're just sitting there comparing ATI to ATI, or Nvidia to Nvidia, then fine, sure, the numbers tell a story. But if you start trying to pit ATI against Nvidia in that specific way? It honestly feels a bit pointless. I guess it's just an apples-to-oranges comparison that doesn't lead anywhere useful.

Well, I suppose that’s one way to look at it. Maybe.

Bryan Evans77 said:Look... I’m telling you—just read up on it. Actually study the specs, dig into the details, and *then* maybe, just maybe, consider pulling the trigger on a purchase. 👍 Don't go buying it just to end up kicking yourself later... I mean, honestly, you really should think it through first—unless, of course, you actually enjoy that specific kind of regret.

I’ll probably be getting pretty old by the time I actually finish reading through all of this—so then I'll make my decision. Thanks again, everyone.

Bryan Evans77 said:if you're strictly gaming, then yeah, the 6850 is the better pick 🙂

but I'm just saying... do some reading, really look into it before you buy 👍 you don't want to make the purchase and then end up kicking yourself later...

+1

😉

I've got a 17" LCD monitor here with a max resolution of 1280x1024.
The build will be:
Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB RAM
ASRock 770 Extreme
500GB HDD
PowerLine 430W

What graphics card would you recommend?

Your power supply is garbage, and besides, you didn't even mention how much cash you've actually got set aside for a GPU?

Nathan Reyes59 said:Your power supply is probably the issue, plus you didn't mention what kind of budget you're working with for a GPU.

actually $200
the PSU is fine http://www.pl-power.eu/data_powerline4302.html

Alright, Alexander Moore67... now tell me why you're so sure about that??

Alexander Moore67 said:to $200

hd5670

Nathan Reyes59 said: hd5670

+1 👍

Exactly, and the power supply is absolute junk.

Nathan Reyes59 said:Exactly, and that power supply is absolute garbage.

In that case, I'll just pick up some Frontier Communications, Microsoft, CodeGen, or LC power.

Alexander Moore67 said:Then I'll just pick up some Frontier Communications, MS, CodeGen, or LC power.

Fine, go ahead and buy it. It’s not like you actually enjoy being treated like garbage anyway.😁>

Frontier Communications, Microsoft, LC Power 🤦

The only Microsoft unit worth a damn is that rebranded Fortron MS FSP400W 60APN... everything else is just junk...
And don't even get me started on Frontier Communications... they're in a league of their own...
LC Power? It's somewhere in the middle. Better than the trash, sure, but still nowhere near the big names like Fortron, Corsair, Seasonic, or Silverstone...
Same goes for CodeGen...

Bryan Evans77 said:Frontier Communications, MS, LC Power🤦

The only MS unit worth buying is the rebranded Fortron FSP400W 60APN... everything else is junk...
Frontier Communications is in a league of its own too...
LC Power sits somewhere in the middle—better than the cheap stuff, but nowhere near the top brands like Fortron, Corsair, Seasonic, or Silverstone...
The same goes for CodeGen...

My Powerline 430 w has been running just fine for 2 years now
Athlon64 X2 5000+
4x512 DDR2
3 HDDs
7800GS AGP
2x12cm fans
DVD-ROM
DVD-RW
Floppy
Let me know if you actually find a test where this thing failed......

I never said it wouldn't boot. It’s about quality, voltage regulation, and how efficient the power delivery actually is.
Microsoft ran fine on mine once, but I ended up frying a few hard drives and stuff like that...

Look, if you aren't planning on swapping out the PSU, fine. Just grab the graphics card we suggested. It pulls about as much juice as an LED bulb, so you probably won't run into issues.
But don't come crying to me if something shorts out and you start yelling about how the power supply is junk.👍

Anyway. An HD5770 with 512MB works, or even a gig if you want. Just go for it.

Alexander Moore67 said:Athlon 64 x2 5000+
4x512 DDR2

I don't see much of an upgrade moving from that to an x2 240 with 2GB of DDR3 RAM. Sure, it's faster, but 🤷

Why not just plug that HD5670 into what you already have to boost the rig? It's cheaper, at least.

Sorry if I'm overstepping or if you've got other plans.

Nathan Reyes59 said:I don't see much of an upgrade moving from this to an x2 240 with 2GB DDR3 RAM. Sure, it’s faster, but 🤷

Why not just pop that HD5670 into what you already have to boost the rig? At least it's cheaper, right?

Sorry if I'm overstepping or if you've got other plans in mind.

Well, now I see that's actually his plan...

Kind of a bad move, if I'm being honest. 🤷

Aside from that extra gig of RAM, everything else feels pretty much the same...