Vid Card Q - Budget card for gaming & media

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've been to this board, but I've always got great feedback here in the past. I've been out of the hardware loop for a while and I've got a quick video card question for those who have been keeping up on the state of affairs.

I'm currently running a machine from a few years ago that needs a new GPU. Here are the basics: E6600, 2GB DDR2800, a new Antec NEO 620W PSU, and an old 7900GS.

I'm looking to get a new video card now that I've got a better PSU in there to help support it. I'm only looking to spend in the $100-$150 range, but want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for the buck.

I'm interesting in playing older games that I never tried due to the weak 7900GS, like the Witcher, Crysis, Dragon Age, while also being decently prepped for running upcoming games with at least medium quality.

I've also got my 7900GS connected to a 21" monitor and a 46" HDTV with a VGA input. I have basic cable, so the TV is used for a lot of Hulu and other internet streaming.

I've always used nVidia chips in the past, but have heard ATI has some benefits in the HD/HDMI output area.

Does anyone have some suggestions for a video card make/model that would be a good fit for me?

I'm seeing a lot of GTX 460s & HD 5770s in that price range on Newegg. And a couple HD 6850s as well. How do those stack up?

And are EVGA and XFX still some of the best in quality for their respective chipsets?

Thanks for all replies. Cheers,

It sounds to me like you've already got it narrowed down pretty well. At the $150 price point the GTX 460 768mb is hard to beat. It's significantly quicker than the AMD 5770, but slightly slower than the GTX 460 1GB or the AMD 6850.

If you're talking strictly bang per buck:

My opinion:

5770 ($120) - It's a very cheap solution but its DX11 capabilities and future proof doesn't bode very well.

GTX 460 768mb ($150) - Is your resolution 1680x1050? If so, this will be a VERY nice choice.

HD 6850 ($180) - Didn't you say your budget was $150? But, if your resolution is 1920x1080, I would recommend getting this.

GTX 460 1GB ($190) - See above. This is just as good.

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've been to this board, but I've always got great feedback here in the past. I've been out of the hardware loop for a while and I've got a quick video card question for those who have been keeping up on the state of affairs.

I'm currently running a machine from a few years ago that needs a new GPU. Here are the basics: E6600, 2GB DDR2800, a new Antec NEO 620W PSU, and an old 7900GS.

I'm looking to get a new video card now that I've got a better PSU in there to help support it. I'm only looking to spend in the $100-$150 range, but want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for the buck.

I'm interesting in playing older games that I never tried due to the weak 7900GS, like the Witcher, Crysis, Dragon Age, while also being decently prepped for running upcoming games with at least medium quality.

I've also got my 7900GS connected to a 21" monitor and a 46" HDTV with a VGA input. I have basic cable, so the TV is used for a lot of Hulu and other internet streaming.

I've always used nVidia chips in the past, but have heard ATI has some benefits in the HD/HDMI output area.

Does anyone have some suggestions for a video card make/model that would be a good fit for me?

I'm seeing a lot of GTX 460s & HD 5770s in that price range on Newegg. And a couple HD 6850s as well. How do those stack up?

And are EVGA and XFX still some of the best in quality for their respective chipsets?

Thanks for all replies. Cheers,

Fignewton50

okay i have SOMEE news you wont like and some you will and a different card to table.. if your willing to at least level with me

the good news evga and xfx are still good brands yes.. the bad some AiB's have moved or left us.. nvidia's BFG was closed and then sucked up by diamond multimedia an AMD AiB (AiB = card maker)

XFX has now gone AMD only

anyway.. back to topic i recommend an hd 5750 or gts 450.. then putting the spare dough towards 4gb ram... there just isnt an excuse to have 3+ gb ram and more and more games are asking for it (shattered horizons, total war: shogun 2, crysis 2, etc.) if your playing odler games like you mentioned 2gb will still be good but 4 will DRAMATICALLY improve preformance.

okay i have SOMEE news you wont like and some you will and a different card to table.. if your willing to at least level with me

the good news evga and xfx are still good brands yes.. the bad some AiB's have moved or left us.. nvidia's BFG was closed and then sucked up by diamond multimedia an AMD AiB (AiB = card maker)

XFX has now gone AMD only

anyway.. back to topic i recommend an hd 5750 or gts 450.. then putting the spare dough towards 4gb ram... there just isnt an excuse to have 3+ gb ram and more and more games are asking for it (shattered horizons, total war: shogun 2, crysis 2, etc.) if your playing odler games like you mentioned 2gb will still be good but 4 will DRAMATICALLY improve preformance.

ionusX

Not a bad idea. He could afford the 5770 and another 2gb of RAM for about $150 though. That might be the best option, provided he has a free slot or 2 for more RAM.

Thanks for the quick replies.

Yes, I am running at 1650x1080.

I believe my new PSU only has a single 6-pin available, and it looks like the 460SE requires 2 of them. I'm trying to find out with the ATI units require. It looks like the 5770 just requires one.

And yes, I do have two extra slots for another 2GB of RAM. I'll probably include that too with my upgrade.

I do have flexibility to go over $150 if it's worth it.

[QUOTE="Fignewton50"]

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've been to this board, but I've always got great feedback here in the past. I've been out of the hardware loop for a while and I've got a quick video card question for those who have been keeping up on the state of affairs.

I'm currently running a machine from a few years ago that needs a new GPU. Here are the basics: E6600, 2GB DDR2800, a new Antec NEO 620W PSU, and an old 7900GS.

I'm looking to get a new video card now that I've got a better PSU in there to help support it. I'm only looking to spend in the $100-$150 range, but want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for the buck.

I'm interesting in playing older games that I never tried due to the weak 7900GS, like the Witcher, Crysis, Dragon Age, while also being decently prepped for running upcoming games with at least medium quality.

I've also got my 7900GS connected to a 21" monitor and a 46" HDTV with a VGA input. I have basic cable, so the TV is used for a lot of Hulu and other internet streaming.

I've always used nVidia chips in the past, but have heard ATI has some benefits in the HD/HDMI output area.

Does anyone have some suggestions for a video card make/model that would be a good fit for me?

I'm seeing a lot of GTX 460s & HD 5770s in that price range on Newegg. And a couple HD 6850s as well. How do those stack up?

And are EVGA and XFX still some of the best in quality for their respective chipsets?

Thanks for all replies. Cheers,

ionusX

okay i have SOMEE news you wont like and some you will and a different card to table.. if your willing to at least level with me

the good news evga and xfx are still good brands yes.. the bad some AiB's have moved or left us.. nvidia's BFG was closed and then sucked up by diamond multimedia an AMD AiB (AiB = card maker)

XFX has now gone AMD only

anyway.. back to topic i recommend an hd 5750 or gts 450.. then putting the spare dough towards 4gb ram... there just isnt an excuse to have 3+ gb ram and more and more games are asking for it (shattered horizons, total war: shogun 2, crysis 2, etc.) if your playing odler games like you mentioned 2gb will still be good but 4 will DRAMATICALLY improve preformance.

[QUOTE="ionusX"]

[QUOTE="Fignewton50"]

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've been to this board, but I've always got great feedback here in the past. I've been out of the hardware loop for a while and I've got a quick video card question for those who have been keeping up on the state of affairs.

I'm currently running a machine from a few years ago that needs a new GPU. Here are the basics: E6600, 2GB DDR2800, a new Antec NEO 620W PSU, and an old 7900GS.

I'm looking to get a new video card now that I've got a better PSU in there to help support it. I'm only looking to spend in the $100-$150 range, but want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for the buck.

I'm interesting in playing older games that I never tried due to the weak 7900GS, like the Witcher, Crysis, Dragon Age, while also being decently prepped for running upcoming games with at least medium quality.

I've also got my 7900GS connected to a 21" monitor and a 46" HDTV with a VGA input. I have basic cable, so the TV is used for a lot of Hulu and other internet streaming.

I've always used nVidia chips in the past, but have heard ATI has some benefits in the HD/HDMI output area.

Does anyone have some suggestions for a video card make/model that would be a good fit for me?

I'm seeing a lot of GTX 460s & HD 5770s in that price range on Newegg. And a couple HD 6850s as well. How do those stack up?

And are EVGA and XFX still some of the best in quality for their respective chipsets?

Thanks for all replies. Cheers,

adamosmaki

okay i have SOMEE news you wont like and some you will and a different card to table.. if your willing to at least level with me

the good news evga and xfx are still good brands yes.. the bad some AiB's have moved or left us.. nvidia's BFG was closed and then sucked up by diamond multimedia an AMD AiB (AiB = card maker)

XFX has now gone AMD only

anyway.. back to topic i recommend an hd 5750 or gts 450.. then putting the spare dough towards 4gb ram... there just isnt an excuse to have 3+ gb ram and more and more games are asking for it (shattered horizons, total war: shogun 2, crysis 2, etc.) if your playing odler games like you mentioned 2gb will still be good but 4 will DRAMATICALLY improve preformance.

If the TC can drop a few extra bucks on the extra RAM, I totally agree. GTX 460 768mb and another 2GB of RAM will be a big upgrade.

If your PSU only has one connector I'd recommend getting the 6850. It also only uses one.

Awesome, thanks again everyone.

I'm heading in the 6850/5770 direction right now due to the GTX460 768 needing two 6-pins. There is a XFX 6850 for $160 with MIR on Newegg, but I also want to get 2GB of RAM, which may mean I'll snag the 5770 for $110 with MIR.