Midrange GPU

[monkey7]

So, it's been three years since I built my rig. A few might remember, I reviewed every single piece of it ^_^. Lately I've been in and out of the scene, returning bit by bit

Now I'm looking for a new GPU to keep the settings and framerate high enough with modern games. I've been sorting through reviews and price comparisons, but I can't really come to a decision. I myself am considering the GTX560Ti (twin frozzr), but the local computer shop recommended the GT630. Huh? Yes, the GT630, he was adamant that was the best decision considering the rest of the setup.

What GPU would you recommend? Budget is €150 to 230.

Core specs are as follows:
i7 920 (the very first) @ 3.20 gHz
Gigabyte X58-UD5 (pci-e 2.0!)
6x2GB ddr3-1333 running at 1240.
Screen resolution 1920*1200 (gaming screen) + 1680 * 1050
(Intended) games: the standard games + skyrim with highres textures.

 

[PetrolHead247]

LOL GT630 :yelrotflmao:

For your budget you could have a 7850 or a GTX 570. A 7870 would probably be just out of your budget so i'd go with a 570 as it's faster than a 7850

EDIT: Looks like the 570 might just be out of budget too so the 7850 might be the best pick

 

[ChrisGlobe]

Your local computer shop guy is clearly an idiot, the 560Ti will be much better than a 630, which isn't designed for any sort of gaming at all!

 

[Master&Puppet]

Yea 7850 is the one for you I think. It might be worth holding on for the release of the gtx660 which isn't far away. It might be out of your budget on release but will probably crash the price of the 7870.

 

[seumasbeathan]

The 7870 is £200 so in euros that is about 250, and chance you could stretch the budget a little? If not then a 7850 would be fine

 

[Josh Weston]

7850's a great card - my friend has nothing but good words about it. Stays cool, quiet, and performs great for its price.

 

[yassarikhan786]

As above I have a friend who has a 7850 as well and he is very impressed with it.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Or you can get the 7850 and over-clock it (if you need to - it's pretty powerful). It will beat a 7870 at stock then.

 

[WYP]

i would suggest you wait for the 660 ti's release, it may cause price changes to amd's mid-range cards and the 500 series or be a low price itself. i hear its as powerful as a 580, or in other words a small step below the 670.

 

[WillSK]

it pains me that a guy working in a computer shop advised you to buy such a pointless card. Def go with something the others have said 7850/560ti etc.

 

[monkey7]

Phew, quite a bit of replies, thanks

This confirms what I've managed to find out on my own so far -- comforting to know I can still ignore the marketing terms About the computer shop owner... Well. I'm speechless. That's about it. I stopped reading the GT630's specs after the '128 bit memory bus' part.

Waiting for the 6xx Ti series has crossed my mind, but to be honest I'm growing a bit impatient. I know I shouldn't, but Skyrim at barely 30 FPS hurts, especially when I haven't even started editing textures and view distances.

Allright, after some more filtering at websites I've got it down to the following:
- GTX560Ti Twin Frozzr Hawk
- XFX HD7850, non OC but with nonreference cooler
Both around the €220,- pricepoint.

Currently I'm favoring the HD7850 because of its larger vram, which is not exactly useless when you're running 3600*1200px.

 

[WillSK]

I can vouch for the Hawk being a great card, have overclocked mine to 1Ghz with a very miniscule bump in voltage which i'm not even sure i needed. It is however quite a noisy card.

That said as you have mentioned i believe the 7850 has more VRAM which skyrim completely abuses, especially with mods so that might be your better bet as i know some of the others have said that it too overclocks very well

 

[Master&Puppet]

Yea I'd take the 7850 too. The vram is worth it and a good point but there are other things like power efficiency (and therefore noise) and over-clocking potential (the 600 and 7000 series are crazy for this).

 

[monkey7]

Went for the 7850 Happily processing skyrim with high res textures at full hd, even without an overclock on the good ol' i7

Thanks for the advice Haven't tried overclocking yet, will do that when the performance drops too much.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Good news! Enjoy!