Video card recommendations

[guy120]

System Specifications:

I. Processor/CPU:

Intel i5 2500 @ stock

II. Current Graphics Card:

Gigabyte HD 6770 (defective)

III. Display Resolution:

23" Asus monitor @ 1920x1080

IV. Power Supply Unit Specification (Brand, Wattage, Ampage, Age). If possible, please provide a link to a website containing the power supply specifications:

Corsair 550W, less than a year old

V. Case Specifications(N/A, Model, Length, Low Profile, Cooling, HTPC, Water, Silent):

N/A, some crummy small case

Purchase Details:

I. Budget? Please be sure to include currency (If not USD), retailer preferences & specify whether rebates are a viable option.

~100-150 dollars CAD/USD


II. Any particular preferences (Manufacturer[nV or AMD], Brand[XFX, Sapphire, EVGA, etc], Cooling Solutions)?

Preferably nVidia,or AMD if it's comparable to the nVidia card no other preferences.

III. Do you plan to have any Multi-GPU solutions such as Crossfire or SLI?

No.

IV. Have you previously looked at a product(s) which you feel would fit your needs?

Perhaps the 6850/6870, or newer version, but I'd like to see some suggestions.

V. What are your needs for this GPU? Which games(If any)do you intend to play? If you have this information at hand, what are the desired detail levels?

Games: League of Legends, TES V: Skyrim, Left4Dead 2, Portal 2, mainly skyrim though.


VI. Do you plan on overclocking the card you intend to purchase?

Yes, if possible.

 

[Tweak155]

6870 is my recommendation given the budget. It hits $140 frequently at this point.

The 560gtx dips too if you really want Nvidia. It is slightly faster but also costs just a tad bit more.

EDIT:

I replaced my 5770 only because it died. I tried to get a 6850 but had an issue with it, so just went with 6870 after i returned because it was on sale.

The 6850 is a good choice too and is slightly better bang for the buck.

EDIT EDIT:

Also if you want to max Skyrim at smooth frames, you'll need to up your budget . The 6870 will play it at really good settings, but you'll likely dip here and there.

 

[Upgrade_Itch]

Welcome to Anandtech forums, one noob to another.


For $150 or less I'd say the Radeon HD6870

For $200= Nvidia Geforce GTX560

For $250 (if u can stretch the cash to here = win)----> Radeon HD7850

 

[blastingcap]

might be able to get a gtx 560 for sub-$150 used

 

[Fallengod]

Ive seen 6870's lately for $130-$140 so...thats pretty good bang 4 buck.

Honestly, just so you know, almost every game on that list isnt very demanding so.... I run a 5770 myself with LoL and Skyrim just fine. However I do play everything at low resolutions and details so...


I am not very big on AMD drivers so, personally if I was getting a new card, id get a Nvidia one....

 

[Dark Shroud]

I am not very big on AMD drivers so, personally if I was getting a new card, id get a Nvidia one....

The 6870 uses VLIW5 thus having very good mature drivers. So nothing to worry about there.

 

[guy120]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions, and now I'm thinking of getting either a 6870/7870 or a GTX 460/560.

Would buying these cards used be a bad idea? I'm used to buying new parts.

 

[Fallengod]

Theres a 6870 on sale right now on Newegg for $130...fyi.

 

[Jaydip]

If u have the budget the 7870 would be a no brainer but its sibling 7850 is a better buy.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Get 7850 for $250 provided you have a SB or ivy