GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

Quick question: can the CPU handle the load? Especially since I’m sticking to lower resolutions—I don't see any need to go beyond a Nvidia GeForce GTS 450. If we're talking HD, maybe one of those beefier cards would make sense, but still...

Don't go any lower than 460.

Well, I'm running at 2048*1152—so if it runs, it runs.

There’s definitely a chance I’ll just build an entirely new rig—up to $1000 beyond this current GPU. Honestly, I haven't felt the itch until now, but here we go... if this 6850 really offers better value than the Nvidia GeForce GTS 450, and if it means actually hitting my full performance potential, then yeah, I'd pull the trigger. It’s not like I'm looking to just throw money away, though—this setup has been a total workhorse for me ever since my 4850 bit the dust. My thought process is basically to squeeze a little more life out of what I have before I commit to a whole new configuration and just swap in a beefy graphics card.

You’re gonna need a card with at least 1GB of VRAM for that monitor, and honestly, I wouldn't settle for anything less than a Radeon HD 6850. 🙂
Now, if you’ve got a solid power supply (like that CX400), a decent case, a DVD drive, and an HDD, you’ve already saved yourself a chunk of change. If you flip that current CPU, motherboard, and RAM combo, you should be able to pick up 4GB of DDR3, a halfway decent processor, and a new motherboard for $1000 without breaking the bank.
Personally, if you're looking at the 6850, I'd definitely keep a GTX 460 1GB on your radar too.

Alright, let's look at this from another angle... it’s actually a bit more layered than I first thought.

First off, my main thing on the computer is Photoshop—that's my bread and butter. It's how I fund my life as a student and all that. Now, I know you don't strictly *need* a high-end graphics card for it, but since Photoshop touches almost every aspect of multimedia, you never know when you'll get hit with a sudden 3D render or some heavy video encoding task. I've been around the block enough to know that some newer software really swears by GPU acceleration. So, I might as well be prepared.
On top of that, I like to unwind with a modern game every now and then, so that's part of the equation too.

Here’s the situation: my dad runs a company where computers are passed down through the office hierarchy. The lead designer gets the powerhouse rig, the secretary gets the second-best one, and the guy handling basic tasks—like playing Solitaire or checking emails—gets something from two or three generations ago. Since my current machine is actually the top-tier one, I have this idea to slide my old setup into the hierarchy so the designer can take it over. My current PC has been handling the exact same workload as the designer's for two years now without breaking a sweat. If I do that, I could use the budget $1000 he has set aside for the designer to build myself something new—basically, within that $3,000, everything should be covered except for the graphics card.

So, there you have it—all the pieces of the puzzle. Now, tell me: is the 6850 actually worth it?

If you’re planning on doing any photo editing, video work, or even dipping your toes into 3D rendering down the road, just go with an Nvidia card. They’ve got this CUDA technology that basically acts as a force multiplier for your CPU during those heavy tasks. I won't bore you with the technical jargon, but the results speak for themselves—it makes the workflow way smoother. If you want to nerd out on the details, just Google "CUDA technology."
In that scenario, the GTX 460 1GB is going to blow that 6850 out of the water, and for gaming, you really won't have any issues either.
So yeah, that's my two cents on the graphics card situation.
If you decide to pull the trigger on a full build instead of just a single GPU, start a new thread in this subforum. Just lay it out clearly—say you're looking for a setup centered around the $1000 plus a decent graphics card—and a few of us, myself included, will jump in to help you spec out the best possible rig.

I’ve noticed Nvidia just has such a massive head start with their tech stack—stuff like DirectCompute, CUDA, and DirectX—so they’ve always been my go-to. But man, these reviews keep pulling me toward AMD, which is a real struggle. In the end, though... I think I'm sticking with the GTX 460!

Thanks, everyone! Now I’m off to hunt down the rest of my parts.

Edit: Does anyone know if there's a 1GB version of the GTX 460? How much of a headache is that 768MB limit going to be?

What about this one? http://www.nabava.net/graficke-karti...b-ddr5__816781

The higher the resolution, the bigger the handicap.

stormywolf39 said:basically, the higher the resolution, the bigger the handicap

So, you're saying 1650, 1920, and 2048 all need 1GB?

Look, if you're aiming for Full HD, we're talking about that 1920x1080 threshold. For anything at that resolution or higher, you're going to need 1GB, but if you're staying below that, 768 MB should cut it just fine.

Has anyone here dealt with Protis before? They're based out of Canada... and for $133 they're offering this

casualranger10 said:Has anyone here actually dealt with Protis before? They’re based out of Canada, and I find myself wondering if they're even worth the trouble. $133 They're being stingy with this one.
I happened to stumble upon this listing on Craigslist earlier today for a graphics card that seems to be languishing in some basement somewhere. It’s an Nvidia GeForce 7025 GeForce 630 a, though looking at the specs, I can't help but feel a certain sense of déjà vu regarding how quickly hardware becomes obsolete. It reminds me of back when I was trying to build my first rig in a cramped apartment in Chicago; you think you've found the holy grail of components, only to realize a few months later that the industry has already moved the goalposts. This particular unit is being offered alongside an Athlon ii X3 445, which feels like a relic from a different era entirely. One has to wonder why anyone would still be tinkering with such aging silicon in this day and age. It sits there in the digital void, waiting for someone with far more patience than I possess to give it a second lease on life.

I assume you are referring to this Protis: If you find yourself needing to navigate the digital landscape of hardware retailers, you might find some utility in checking out the online presence at http://www.protis.com/. It’s one of those sites that serves as a reminder of how much the tech industry has shifted toward centralized e-commerce, though I still occasionally miss the days when you could walk into a local shop and actually speak to someone who knew their way around a motherboard without looking like they were reading from a script. Still, if you need to browse components, it's a functional enough starting point. They aren't based out of Canada; they actually maintain retail locations in both Sišč and ZG.

One of the most budget-friendly retailers in the States. My experiences thus far have been quite positive, and I can only hope they remain that way. 😁

Alex Harris32 said:I think you’re talking about Protis: They aren't from Canada—they actually have stores in Sišč and ZG.

One of the more budget-friendly shops in the US. My experience there has been solid so far, and I'm hoping it stays that way. 😁

Actually, you've got that wrong... it's DinoComp

* Do I need an AGP or a PCI-E card? Honestly, I have no clue...
* What’s your current or future setup and what kind of power supply are you running?
Motherboard: Asrock N68-GS3 UCC with an Nvidia GeForce 7025 GeForce 630 a, M-ATX, 2xDDR3
CPU: Desktop Athlon ii X3 445 (3.1GHz, 1.5MB, 95W) box
Memory: DDR3 1333MHz 2GB Kingmax
PSU: 480W Chicony CHI-HPD4802RWR2, ATX 2.2, 12cm fan, (peak Power 480 w), Black Color
Internal SATA DVD burner: LG GH22NS50/RBBB, bare bulk, black
LifeView LV5T deluxe not only TV USB DVB-T, Digital terrestrial TV Radio reception (DVBT) MPEG4
DVI-I/HDMI/HDCP, GBT Dual Fansink
HDD: SATA II 500 GB WD Caviar Blue 7.200 rpm, 16MB, WD5000AAKS
Case: INTER-TECH IT-AOC-01 Midi Tower, ATX, 7 slots, audio, PSU optional, Black
* What resolution are we talking about? Well, I don't even have the computer yet
* What's the budget? Whatever my absolute maximum is $167
* Which stores are you looking at? Maybe somewhere like Best Buy
* Any other specific needs? Just looking for a graphics card that can actually handle some gaming

With a GPU from $167, you aren't really going to get much action. I’d honestly suggest looking for something used instead; there are plenty of really capable cards out there for that price point. This might be a pretty solid deal if you're interested:

http://www.craigslist.org/listing/graphics-cards-example-link

Hey guys, recently put together this build with some help from you folks on here:

AthlonII x3 445 3,2 GHz
Asrock 880 GXH/usb3
Fortron FSP400 400W
Kingmax ddr3 1333MHz 2Gb x2

Been rocking the integrated graphics for a bit, but finally scraped together enough cash (roughly $267) for a dedicated card.
Currently stuck with a tiny 17-inch CRT, but hoping to grab a 20-22 inch widescreen soon.
Just need something that can handle some newer games without choking, though I'm not exactly a hardcore gamer. Needs to match the rest of the rig too.
Open to anything from Best Buy to Micro Center...
Thanks.

GTS450
Sure, some people might look at that and say, "Hey, it’s *only* 512 MB," but you have to remember we're talking about GDDR5 here—that makes a world of difference. In my book, the GPU itself is easily the most powerful thing you can grab for that kind of money, making it a really solid value. I honestly don't see you running into much trouble with most games, provided you aren't being too aggressive with the high-end settings or cranking up the AA/AF levels too far. 🙂
(It definitely outclasses the only ATI competitor in that price bracket—the 5670 series...)

Definitely go with the GTX 450, but make sure you grab the 1GB version.. http://www.newegg.com/p/NVIDIA-GTX-450-1GB/ This is the cheapest one I could track down. If that's out of reach, $17 then look at the 512MB model—though if you're planning on using a Full HD monitor, I'd strongly suggest sticking with the 1GB version instead.

THIS or THAT

If you're looking at the budget options, the HD575 is your best bet—you can snag the 1GB model for under $8.

EDIT: what kind of timing is this?

boldcanyon14 said:GTX 450 for sure, specifically the 1GB model.. cheapest one I could track down. If you can't swing $17 that, maybe look at the 512MB version, but if you're rocking a full HD monitor, honestly just go for the 1GB...

I'll make it work $17 somehow, but I was looking at the reviews and saw it pulls maybe 130W max... does it take one 6-pin connector or two? Couldn't tell from the photos.. My PSU only has one, so need to know if I'm gonna need an adapter or what..