Which Graphics card to buy in Y2026

[nipp0n]

Assuming (i am just giving an example, i am sure it is definitely not true), a OC 7870 non reference card is just slightly slower than a non reference 7970 without OC, but the 7870 is much cheaper, are there any drawbacks using a highly factory OC card?

Sorry if im asking so many questions. These cards are really expensive and i wanna know more before making my decisions. Thanks nippon for your answers!

If I'm not wrong, an OC non-reference gpu is able to match the next level reference card speed or performance. For example, an OC 7850 PCS is at least able to match 7870 reference speed or performance.

Overclocking will consumes more power and produce more heat. This is the reason why non reference card is recommended for overclocking as they come with after market cooler to cool the graphic card better than reference card.

I agree that these high end cards are expensive and need to do more homework before you buy them. I personally prefer non reference card as they have a better cooling system and relatively quieter. Of course, all these comes with a higher price.

 

[alpha_helix]

If I dont wanna OC, then the vortex2 would be a nice buy for me since it has been highly OC? Based on what I read around, it performs somewhere between reference 7950 and 7870 or in some cases, same as a 7950.

Cause I have a friend who bought one and is looking for an upgrade again. But i have no idea how much is it in Singapore since its not a very common card. He is looking to sell it at around 325 which is about 50 cheaper than powercolor 7950 (tradepec $380) and same price as the powercolor PCS+ (slower than vortex2). This is a hard decision for me to make. Is the vortex2 really worth it for me to buy. Feel like not caring and just buy something expensive but heart pain haha..

Of course he tells me it has no problems. but i would like to find out from others too

 

[nipp0n]

If I dont wanna OC, then the vortex2 would be a nice buy for me since it has been highly OC? Based on what I read around, it performs somewhere between reference 7950 and 7870 or in some cases, same as a 7950.

Cause I have a friend who bought one and is looking for an upgrade again. But i have no idea how much is it in Singapore since its not a very common card. He is looking to sell it at around 325 which is about 50 cheaper than powercolor 7950 (tradepec $380) and same price as the powercolor PCS+ (slower than vortex2). This is a hard decision for me to make. Is the vortex2 really worth it for me to buy. Feel like not caring and just buy something expensive but heart pain haha..

Of course he tells me it has no problems. but i would like to find out from others too

What is the warranty period left? Maybe you can go down to sls to check if they sell vortez 2 version.

 

[alpha_helix]

I dont know how many years left but he used it for about 2-3 months only.

 

[ginseng1]

I got a club3d 7750 for 109 for my HTPC.

Planning to get a 7850 for my itx rig. Wanted a 7770 but when I read in reviews that 7850 replaces the 6950, I thought worth spending about $70 more to top up. Actually, all I wanted was the dual mini display port for dual monitor setup.

 

[mickey18588]

I was looking thru some cards and I really like the MSI ones with twin frozr. I narrowed down to N660, r7850 power ed, r7870, and r7870 hawk. The prob is, I m a tech noob. Friends have told me those are good gaming cards and the r7870 hawk is the best among all. But I don't really play high graphic games. Mostly play sports games, maybe just one or two high graphic games, and I don't intend to OC it. I prob jus want something that is relatively cool, and also able to stay relevant for the next couple of years. Prices between the 4 don't defer much actually. Opinions?

 

[nipp0n]

I was looking thru some cards and I really like the MSI ones with twin frozr. I narrowed down to N660, r7850 power ed, r7870, and r7870 hawk. The prob is, I m a tech noob. Friends have told me those are good gaming cards and the r7870 hawk is the best among all. But I don't really play high graphic games. Mostly play sports games, maybe just one or two high graphic games, and I don't intend to OC it. I prob jus want something that is relatively cool, and also able to stay relevant for the next couple of years. Prices between the 4 don't defer much actually. Opinions?

What games do you play?

 

[mickey18588]

What games do you play?

Actually mostly sports games, GTA, have yet to try any high graphic games because my current card prob can't support.

 

[nipp0n]

Actually mostly sports games, GTA, have yet to try any high graphic games because my current card prob can't support.

I think MSI 7870 Twin Frozr will be good enough.

 

[mickey18588]

I think MSI 7870 Twin Frozr will be good enough.

Thanks . I did read somewhere that r7870 don't work really well with the TF III, because of the noise. Does it make a big diff between TF III and TF IV? Also, does those cards with 'OC edition' means that it has already been factory overclocked or that it can be overclocked? Sorry, I m quite confused

 

[nipp0n]

Thanks . I did read somewhere that r7870 don't work really well with the TF III, because of the noise. Does it make a big diff between TF III and TF IV? Also, does those cards with 'OC edition' means that it has already been factory overclocked or that it can be overclocked? Sorry, I m quite confused

If I'm not wrong, Hawk edition allows extreme overclocking which I doubt you will need it for your case.

TF IV has larger heat sinks to accelerate heat dissipation and anti dust technology.
OC means it is factory overclocked and you can also overclocked on your own.

 

[Oranger]

Planning to get the MSI HD7870 Hawk as well, changing from a HD5850 crossfire setup..

Recommended? Pairing it with my i5-2500k, MSI P67A-G45-B3.. Mainly playing GW2, BF3 n other misc..

Any inputs welcomed!

 

[mickey18588]

If I'm not wrong, Hawk edition allows extreme overclocking which I doubt you will need it for your case.

TF IV has larger heat sinks to accelerate heat dissipation and anti dust technology.
OC means it is factory overclocked and you can also overclocked on your own.

Ah thanks! I learned a lot. So I guess I will just go for 7870 or 7850 PE. I like the 7850 PE because of the TF IV. Which should would be a better option since it is only 20 bucks diff from SLS?

 

[nipp0n]

Planning to get the MSI HD7870 Hawk as well, changing from a HD5850 crossfire setup..

Recommended? Pairing it with my i5-2500k, MSI P67A-G45-B3.. Mainly playing GW2, BF3 n other misc..

Any inputs welcomed!

I don't think 7870 Hawk is worth it, for that price you can actually top up a bit more, get Powercolor 7950 PCS at $419 is more worth it. OC it and you might be able to reach 7970 performance.

 

[nipp0n]

Ah thanks! I learned a lot. So I guess I will just go for 7870 or 7850 PE. I like the 7850 PE because of the TF IV. Which should would be a better option since it is only 20 bucks diff from SLS?

MSI 7850 PE is priced at $325 which is equivalent to Powercolor 7870 PCS. If you want to go for 7850 PE, I rather you choose Powercolor 7870 PCS, one level higher than 7850 at the same price too.

 

[belmont_a]

MSI 7850 PE is priced at $325 which is equivalent to Powercolor 7870 PCS. If you want to go for 7850 PE, I rather you choose Powercolor 7870 PCS, one level higher than 7850 at the same price too.

I second this. for the same price, better get graphic card with better base chip.
Used powercolor PCS+, quite good.

 

[Oranger]

I don't think 7870 Hawk is worth it, for that price you can actually top up a bit more, get Powercolor 7950 PCS at $419 is more worth it. OC it and you might be able to reach 7970 performance.

Ok, many thanks for input! I should be going for it then.

Hoping there's some promotion for it soon..

 

[mickey18588]

MSI 7850 PE is priced at $325 which is equivalent to Powercolor 7870 PCS. If you want to go for 7850 PE, I rather you choose Powercolor 7870 PCS, one level higher than 7850 at the same price too.

Ah cool! I was quite a noob so I started looking from MSI cards cuz I heard of the TF and I thought if a card has good heat sink means it is good. But I m sure other cards will not lack much when it comes to cooling as compared to TF right?

 

[nipp0n]

Ah cool! I was quite a noob so I started looking from MSI cards cuz I heard of the TF and I thought if a card has good heat sink means it is good. But I m sure other cards will not lack much when it comes to cooling as compared to TF right?

Just to share my opinion (i may be wrong),
Powercolor PCS cooling system is pretty decent, factory OC-ed and can be OC as well. It is one of the quietest in the market and the cheapest as well. It comes with 3 years warranty.

MSI has slightly better cooling system than Powercolor PCS. Performance wise, should be about the same. But it is more expensive. It comes with 3 years warranty.

Sapphire OC edition is also factory OC-ed (iirc) and their custom cooler does a good job as well. Performance wise, better than MSI and Powercolor. Price is set in between MSI and Powercolor. Unfortunately, it comes with only 2 years warranty.

Asus Direct Cu card has one of the best performance, quietest card and has good cooling system as well. Even though their card is really good, it is too overprice. Eg. Asus 7850 Direct Cu is priced at $335. For this price, you could have gotten Powercolor 7870 PCS at $325. It comes with 3 years warranty.

 

[mickey18588]

Just to share my opinion (i may be wrong),
Powercolor PCS cooling system is pretty decent, factory OC-ed and can be OC as well. It is one of the quietest in the market and the cheapest as well. It comes with 3 years warranty.

MSI has slightly better cooling system than Powercolor PCS. Performance wise, should be about the same. But it is more expensive. It comes with 3 years warranty.

Sapphire OC edition is also factory OC-ed (iirc) and their custom cooler does a good job as well. Performance wise, better than MSI and Powercolor. Price is set in between MSI and Powercolor. Unfortunately, it comes with only 2 years warranty.

Asus Direct Cu card has one of the best performance, quietest card and has good cooling system as well. Even though their card is really good, it is too overprice. Eg. Asus 7850 Direct Cu is priced at $335. For this price, you could have gotten Powercolor 7870 PCS at $325. It comes with 3 years warranty.

Wow, thanks for sharing your knowledge man. I have a better direction as to what I wanna get. Thanks for your patience too