HD 7770 Vs Secondhand HD 6870?

[slovenlyjimmy]

Hi guys,

Still planning my budget gaming rig and have been looking at second hand Graphics cards. It looks like I can pick up a second hand Radeon HD 6870 for roughly the same price s a new 7770 (which does have a free copy of Far Cry 3 to sweeten he deal!)

Anyway just wondering what your thoughts were on which would be the best option for a budget gaming rig. It's going to be paired with an 3.0Ghz Intel G860 and Asus P8B75-M LE which I picked up for £25 quid second hand.

Would love your thoughts on the best way to go?

Cheers

 

[Feronix]

7770 imo, uses newer technologies and uses less power. More than capable of running games in 1080p combined with that CPU (search YouTube for "Steambox" to watch a build and some "benchmarks" at the end. Video is by Jackfrags)

+ You get a free copy of FC3 which is like 30 quid on itself

 

[seumasbeathan]

Tough one but I would say 6870, having had one myself I know it to be a cracking little card and I have seen them a lot cheaper than 7770's

Benchmarks - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/540?vs=536

As you can see it is better my a good amount in most games

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

Thanks guys,

Interesting to see those benchmark scores. It does seem that the 6870 gives better results, just a bit unsure of buying secondhand?

I've also just seen on Aria their own branded Arianet 7770 with Sleeping Dogs and Far Cry 3 both thrown in, which is very tempting.

I'm assuming the Arianet cards are just stock AMD cards with Aria branding, so should be just as good as the more well known brands?

Cheers

 

[iBeInspire]

At the end of the day, a 6870 is faster

 

[Devo234]

yh the 6870 is faster but surely the 7770 being newer architecture will run cooler quieter and draw less power. plus with it being brand new you'll have warranty on it.

for me that far outweighs having a few less frames in gameplay

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

At the end of the day, a 6870 is faster

I know, but I just feel a bit uneasy buying such an expensive item secondhand? Really worried it might just give out a few months after I purchase it!

 

[seumasbeathan]

yh the 6870 is faster but surely the 7770 being newer architecture will run cooler quieter and draw less power. plus with it being brand new you'll have warranty on it.

for me that far outweighs having a few less frames in gameplay

I have owned a 6870, and I am telling you, the thing ran very cool and very quiet

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

for me that far outweighs having a few less frames in gameplay

That's really where I'm leaning at the moment. I'm only going to be playing at 720p most of theme anyway as it's going to be plugged into our second tv. I guess at that resolution the 7770 is going to be able to play almost anything on high and good FPS, so the extra speed from the 6870 won't be that beneficial anyway!

 

[iBeInspire]

That's really where I'm leaning at the moment. I'm only going to be playing at 720p most of theme anyway as it's going to be plugged into our second tv. I guess at that resolution the 7770 is going to be able to play almost anything on high and good FPS, so the extra speed from the 6870 won't be that beneficial anyway!

You're right, at 720p you're probably going to be CPU bottlenecked to some degree before either card has a chance to stretch it's legs...
I'd still lean towards the 6870 though, because if you do upgrade to 1080p, you'll be thanking the heavens you did P

 

[Devo234]

if it was me ide go for the 7770 but thats mainly just fro the warranty etc.

end of the day its your money and you've gotta live with it mate

 

[Lystfiskern]

Just wanted to let u know im well pleased with mine. For an entry-level card they do perform well.

 

[slovenlyjimmy]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Think I am probably going to go with the 7770, mainly due to the concerns over secondhand reliability, plus the free games offer makes it a seriously good deal at the moment.

Appreciate all the feedback.