GPU Recommendations

[Bluepoison]

Hello all,

My old graphic card (HD 6950) recently died on me and even though it is still under warranty, I am currently considering buying a new graphic card since it has been 2 years. (I will just RMA and keep the old one as a spare)

I am looking for a high end single GPU card and am going to use it mostly for gaming on a single 24" screen. I would like to have a card capable of maxing out the most gruelling games now and to be released within the next year at preferably 50-60fps. (think BF3/4, Crysis, Metro, Witcher etc.)

Performance wise, I am targeting for a card that is within the range of a reference GTX 680 (+/- 10%). I do not want to get a GTX 680 per se because I do not think it offers a great value (same goes for a GTX 780). Currently, I have narrowed down to a few options:

1) non-reference, overclocked HD7970 (with manufacturers cooling)
2) non-reference, overclocked GTX670 (with manufactures cooling)
3) upcoming to be released GTX 760ti/GTX 770

I am also looking into overclocking my card in the near future to squeeze out a little more performance (nothing too extreme) and hence I think some of the manufactures cooling technology might be useful than a reference fan.

Besides that, I may also consider SLI/X-fire in the future and have heard that the HD7970 is particularly bad for X-fire as compared to 670s in SLI. This decision might change depending on the next generation of card coming out on new architecture when I am in line for an upgrade. (I may most probably stick to single GPU to avoid complications of SLI/X-fire)

I would like to seek some recommendations from the more knowledgeable people in hardwarezone for advice as to which card I should be getting, which specific manufacturer model I should go for. (A quick search shows that there are at least 7-10 different models for the 7970 and 670 and it would help to narrow down my choices) The other question I have is also whether I should be waiting another week or 2 for the 770? Budget wise, I think all the available options should be within SGD 600-750. And as for power supply, I think I am sufficiently covered at the moment for a single GPU set up (750w).

Thanks once again for any of your valuable recommendations.

 

[bhtan83]

ur 6950 is still great. no point upgrading now cos end of this yr HD9000 series gpu will be coming out.

 

[shawntyq]

for me ill find all non-reference card for ati or nvi.

then take the top 3 or 5 cheapest card and do a narrow down.For example powercolor 7970 etc etc.

some manufacturers can mark up by 100-200 for a same card, so even u got the budget, you shldnt be overspending for the very same card.

Take the cheapest card as a gauge.

 

[Bluepoison]

ur 6950 is still great. no point upgrading now cos end of this yr HD9000 series gpu will be coming out.

Thanks for the feedback. The general thought process I have now is that my 6950 is defective. Given that I am no RMA expert, I would assume it would take upwards of 3 weeks to 1 month for the exchange to come, given that my card is probably very old/out of stock/out of production, and that they would have to take some time to source it.

Given that I have some free time now before I start work, I do not mind going for an upgrade now to be able to play some games during my free time that is why I am seeking for some feedback.

As for the HD8000 series coming out this year, that is still pretty much unconfirmed and I am often more comfortable waiting a few months for the cards to be stable, prices to be adjusted and non-reference manufacturers to pick up on them. Hence this will make the time frame probably 1 year from now and I am perfectly comfortable with getting an upgrade now while waiting a year to decide on the next upgrade.

 

[Bluepoison]

for me ill find all non-reference card for ati or nvi.

then take the top 3 or 5 cheapest card and do a narrow down.For example powercolor 7970 etc etc.

some manufacturers can mark up by 100-200 for a same card, so even u got the budget, you shldnt be overspending for the very same card.

Take the cheapest card as a gauge.

Thanks for the advice, that seems like perfectly reasonable.

However, besides that are there any specific factors or reasons for the overcharge. Would there be a difference in say build quality, cooling technology, ease of overclocking or rate of defects between the cheapest non-reference and the more expensive ones. Also would this impact their performance otherwise?

Another question I have is would non-reference 7970s be better than non-reference 790s, or would they perform similarly?

 

[bhtan83]

Thanks for the feedback. The general thought process I have now is that my 6950 is defective. Given that I am no RMA expert, I would assume it would take upwards of 3 weeks to 1 month for the exchange to come, given that my card is probably very old/out of stock/out of production, and that they would have to take some time to source it.

Given that I have some free time now before I start work, I do not mind going for an upgrade now to be able to play some games during my free time that is why I am seeking for some feedback.

As for the HD8000 series coming out this year, that is still pretty much unconfirmed and I am often more comfortable waiting a few months for the cards to be stable, prices to be adjusted and non-reference manufacturers to pick up on them. Hence this will make the time frame probably 1 year from now and I am perfectly comfortable with getting an upgrade now while waiting a year to decide on the next upgrade.

when u RMA u only need to bring ur gpu and receipt and they will do a 1 to 1 exchange immediately. HD8000 is for OEM only. HD9000 is coming out for DIY. so y buy a HD7000 card that is gonna obsolete soon? unless u r willing to get a GTX780, otherwise i dun see much improvement to spend the $ and get HD7950/7950 over ur 6950...

 

[Bluepoison]

when u RMA u only need to bring ur gpu and receipt and they will do a 1 to 1 exchange immediately. HD8000 is for OEM only. HD9000 is coming out for DIY. so y buy a HD7000 card that is gonna obsolete soon? unless u r willing to get a GTX780, otherwise i dun see much improvement to spend the $ and get HD7950/7950 over ur 6950...

My HD6950 belong to MSI and is under Corbell's warranty. According to their warranty policy only first year is 1 to 1. That means I will have to wait for them to send it to the HQ and back. Their rough estimate for that is 6 to 8 weeks and I don't have the luxury to wait that long.

As for the second issue, every piece of tech becomes outdated at some point in time. I don't mind it being outdated. Think of it this way, what is the point of buying an expensive technology when no games can utilise it at full potential. Conversely, buying the technology near the end of its life-cycle has benefits of driver developments, stability, ironing of bugs and reduction in price. What's more those technology can be actively utilised in the games that are currently in the market as well as games to come within the year and hence it doesn't bother me that much.

Anyway, this topic has gotten sidetracked too much. I would like to stay on topic for recommendations for solid cards for the GTX 670 and ATI HD7970. Alternatively, advice on whether I should wait a while for GTX770 will also be appreciated. Thanks

 

[bhtan83]

Then I highly recommend GTX 780.

GTX 770 is 680 with the new titan cooler only. No point buying that.

 

[Nostalgiaa]

If you're in desperate need for a change now, get a PowerColor HD7970 OC like I did. Offers the best bang for your buck. Save the rest of your money to get another card to crossfire in future.

If not, just wait it out for the new cards.