I just upgraded to a GTX 650, and it's pretty great, but I can't help but feel I could have gotten a better card, great value aside. I think I'd like to stick with Nvidia because of issues I heard about with newer ATI cards, but I'm open to all suggestions. I also don't really want to break $200. $250 MAX. Just wanted to see if you guys could give me some insight into this, thanks.
This is probably your best bet: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025[/url]
I've personally never had a problem with AMD, and most people don't. The 7870 is just so much faster than the GTX 650 ti, and it's a quite good at overclocking too.
But would you mind posting your system specifications? And remember to get the PSU model, not just the wattage.
-Win7 64bit
-AMD Phenom II X4 810
-4gb RAM, but I've order 4gb more which would put me at 6gb
-PSU is a 500W Cooler Master RS-500-PCAR-A3
-Mobo is a Gigabyte, model ga-ma785g-ud3h
[editline]7th February 2013[/editline]
I am interested in overclocking as well, no idea how to access the bios/what to do there though. You'd recommend that specific link, though?
If you want to overclock (Assuming you meant CPU) you'll want an aftermarket CPU cooler because the stock one wont do well.
I figured as such, would you recommend this?
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099[/url]
I'd recommend that card. If you want to overclock, just use MSI Afterburner. It would appear that your PSU isn't really capable of running a 7870 - I'd recommend saving up $50 and getting a proper PSU with it. Otherwise you could get a 7850: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161426[/url]
Still a better deal than the GTX 650 Ti, and it would probably run well enough on your PSU, even though I'll recommend getting a new one as soon as possible.
What would you recommend as far as a PSU to accompany the 7870? Don't really know what I should be looking for. Unless you think the 7850 can run circles around the GTX 650, I'd like to make a more significant upgrade. Also is 6gb RAM enough, or should I go all out and go for 8gb?
[QUOTE=Big Blue;39510259]What would you recommend as far as a PSU to accompany the 7870? Don't really know what I should be looking for. Unless you think the 7850 can run circles around the GTX 650, I'd like to make a more significant upgrade. Also is 6gb RAM enough, or should I go all out and go for 8gb?[/QUOTE]
6GB is enough, but if you feel the need to, and you have the cash ready, go for 8gb
Sounds good. I would like a second or third opinion on the PSU, however.
Well the minimum for the 7870 is a 500 watt PSU, so you should be fine, but if you want to upgrade later after that, you may want like a 600 watt or so
fuck it. Gonna get this psu:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-139-028&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo[/url]
and the 7870. YOLO
[editline]7th February 2013[/editline]
please someone tell me not to spend my money on these things
minimum wattage doesn't mean much but his PSU doesn't have enough power connectors and even with a molex to 6 pin the eXtreme 500 isn't too reliable of a PSU. either of these will be fine; [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182132[/url] or [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194094[/url] the first one is a little better value because it's modular, but the enermax will be better quality overall. rosewill would be my choice.
thanks for the advice, i'll go with the rosewill. goodbye $300, i barely knew ye
[editline]7th February 2013[/editline]
oh sweet i get bioshock infinite with the gpu
if you pooped out another ~$60 you could get bioshock infinite and crysis 3 with a 7950
[editline]7th February 2013[/editline]
or $80 for a non reference cooler
nah, i've yolo'd enough today, thanks anyway
swag the fuck out of your computer
[QUOTE=StevenW;39510644]Well the minimum for the 7870 is a 500 watt PSU, so you should be fine, but if you want to upgrade later after that, you may want like a 600 watt or so[/QUOTE]
I see that the issue is resolved (and good luck with your build), but wattage doesn't mean anything - that's why you should always ask for the exact model. The first thing that should get your alarm bells off is the little red switch on the back - means it has no PFC. It's a cooler master as well, and while some of their PSUs are okay, some of them are downright bad. The last thing is that it's 500W with only one PCI-E 6-pin connector (means it can't, without a little help from converters at least, run a 7870) and that it has the word "eXtreme" in its name. That's a bad sign.
This is a great case of wattage-means-nothing: [url]http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&file=print&reid=187[/url]
[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;39514348]I see that the issue is resolved (and good luck with your build), but wattage doesn't mean anything - that's why you should always ask for the exact model. The first thing that should get your alarm bells off is the little red switch on the back - means it has no PFC. It's a cooler master as well, and while some of their PSUs are okay, some of them are downright bad. The last thing is that it's 500W with only one PCI-E 6-pin connector (means it can't, without a little help from converters at least, run a 7870) and that it has the word "eXtreme" in its name. That's a bad sign.
This is a great case of wattage-means-nothing: [URL]http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&file=print&reid=187[/URL][/QUOTE]
Even worse.
[URL]http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=324[/URL]
[QUOTE=taipan;39515916]Even worse.
[URL]http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=324[/URL][/QUOTE]
It isn't trying to brand itself as a high-end unit, though, I think that's worse.
[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;39509298]This is probably your best bet: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025[/url]
I've personally never had a problem with AMD, and most people don't. The 7870 is just so much faster than the GTX 650 ti, and it's a quite good at overclocking too. [/QUOTE]
Only know one guy who doesn't have driver issues with AMD cards. Just yesterday one guy upgraded his GPU drivers - now his Minecraft doesn't work :S Downgrading, removing Java - clearing excess stuff re-installing. Everything, doesn't work. My own laptop has AMD - it's drivers crash once in a while when gaming. If using dual-screen it's way more frequent. I could go on and on with these issues, and It's just been dragging me away - now you know from my experiences.
[QUOTE=Killervalon;39517863]Only know one guy who doesn't have driver issues with AMD cards. Just yesterday one guy upgraded his GPU drivers - now his Minecraft doesn't work :S Downgrading, removing Java - clearing excess stuff re-installing. Everything, doesn't work. My own laptop has AMD - it's drivers crash once in a while when gaming. If using dual-screen it's way more frequent. I could go on and on with these issues, and It's just been dragging me away - now you know from my experiences.[/QUOTE]
I had no driver issues. My 7850 did randomly die, but I think that was a manufacturing fault.
[QUOTE=rhx123;39521142]My 7850 did randomly die, but I think that was a manufacturing fault.[/QUOTE]
this was more or less the issue i heard about, but it could apply to almost all other hardware as well so i suppose it's not really worth my time worrying about what could go wrong
[QUOTE=Big Blue;39521605]this was more or less the issue i heard about, but it could apply to almost all other hardware as well so i suppose it's not really worth my time worrying about what could go wrong[/QUOTE]
I think it was just a manufacturing fault, it could happen to any GPU.
on this subject, is the 7970 worth getting at all? been looking to upgrade myself.
[QUOTE=Killervalon;39517863]Only know one guy who doesn't have driver issues with AMD cards. Just yesterday one guy upgraded his GPU drivers - now his Minecraft doesn't work :S Downgrading, removing Java - clearing excess stuff re-installing. Everything, doesn't work. My own laptop has AMD - it's drivers crash once in a while when gaming. If using dual-screen it's way more frequent. I could go on and on with these issues, and It's just been dragging me away - now you know from my experiences.[/QUOTE]
It seems that you're running Windows 8 (from the lack of OS icon) and Mineraft doesn't cope well with Windows 8. Can't really explain the thing about your laptop, but this is desktop graphics and the 7870 gets a lot of praise in general. I don't think Tomshardware (or any other respectable site) would continue to recommend this card, if it was as riddled with issues as some seem to think.
[editline]9th February 2013[/editline]
[QUOTE=GoldenDargon;39522688]on this subject, is the 7970 worth getting at all? been looking to upgrade myself.[/QUOTE]
Best value of the top cards iirc. I'd wait for the next generation of GPUs if I were to buy a high-end card right now.
[QUOTE=GoldenDargon;39522688]on this subject, is the 7970 worth getting at all? been looking to upgrade myself.[/QUOTE]
Depends on what you currently have
[QUOTE=HolyCrapAWalrus;39525344]Depends on what you currently have[/QUOTE]
HD 5870, and i'd like something that'd be able to run Skyrim maxed out, with the hi-res texture pack, and a high quality ENB with smooth FPS.
[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;39522902]It seems that you're running Windows 8 (from the lack of OS icon) and Mineraft doesn't cope well with Windows 8. Can't really explain the thing about your laptop, but this is desktop graphics and the 7870 gets a lot of praise in general. I don't think Tomshardware (or any other respectable site) would continue to recommend this card, if it was as riddled with issues as some seem to think.[/QUOTE]
None of these happened on Windows 8
[QUOTE=Killervalon;39530381]None of these happened on Windows 8[/QUOTE]
Well I guess that's that. I never did have a problem with AMD's drivers, and most people don't - People should take it into consideration, but I won't stop recommending a card because of it.
[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;39530815]Well I guess that's that. I never did have a problem with AMD's drivers, and most people don't - People should take it into consideration, but I won't stop recommending a card because of it.[/QUOTE]
ATI has always had substandard drivers, especially relating to OpenGL support. It's amazing they've been in business 28 years and still haven't been able to get their game together on it.
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