Video Card Recommendation. $180 or less

CaptNumbNutz

CaptNumbNutz

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Apr 11, 2007
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I am upgrading my GF's computer as a Christmas present. She currently has a AMD X6 and running the integrated Radeon 4200 graphics. She also has a Corsair 600w PSU, so power won't be an issue.
She can barely maintain 30fps at lowest graphics settings on her 2 favorite games, Starcraft 2 and Skyrim. I definitely anticipate her wanting to play Diablo 3 and SWTOR when they come out.

She currently has an older LCD with only a 1280x1024 resolution. She also does a lot of photoshop and uses other Adobe software. I have heard that certain Adobe programs can be accelerated with an Nvidia graphics card also.

Ultra settings with highest AA settings aren't necessary, but I definitely want to get her something that will keep the frame rates up at medium or high settings.

I was thinking a GTX560 (non TI) should be sufficient, but I see that it is essentially the same chip as the GTX460, but with faster speeds and less power usage.

Can I save some money and get her a GTX460 1GB? Will that be sufficient? Money is tight right now, and I also want to squeeze in a cheap case to replace an old Antec with 80mm fans.
 
Save the cash and snag a gtx460. If you don't mind rebates they can be had for like 120-130. Else about 150.

That resolution you should get ULTRA settings on nearly every game.
 
For that price range a 6870 would be a good card. It has been a while since I looked into it but I believe you can get acceleration from the Amd/ATI cards in Photoshop as well. If not then the GTX460/560/560ti are good cards... just fit what is in your budget.
 
You've posted in the nvidia section. A lot of good answers here, so far, on that option.

If you're open to considering the red team, I've just picked up an HD6850 from Gigabyte. It's their overclocked version (820/1050 (2100) ). At newegg, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353&Tpk=6850

There's a 20 dollar rebate bringing it down to 140 bucks. (I picked it up with an additional 10 off.)

Looking at gpureview and inputting the OC speeds, the HD6850OC compares very well with the 560ti. A benefit is its lower power consumption, extreme quietness, and short length.

YMMV.

Good luck.
 
A gtx460 overclocked will beat a 6850 overclock in 90% of situations. The gtx460 just scales better when overclocked. Simple as that.

HD6800-OC-47.jpg


first google hit.

http://www.google.com/search?q=gtx4...e7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=&oe=
 
Yes, sure, but the HD6850OC I linked to comes that way from the manufacturer. His GF doesn't have to lift a finger.

Gpureview stats: http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=632&card2=636#

gtx460 (1 gb - stock speeds) VS hd 6850OC (1gb - oc speeds as set when purchased)
Shader ops: 226800 MOps/s (win) ------- Not listed
Memory Bandwidth: 115.2 GB/s (lose) ------ 134.4 GB/s (win)
Pixel fill rate: 21600 MPix/s (lose)-----26240 MPix/s (win)
Texture fill rate: 37800 MTex/s (lose)----39360 MTex/s (win)
Max power draw: 160W (lose)-----127W (win)

Admittedly, most of those numbers are pretty darn close. They're pretty close in size, too. If anyone can tell a difference in game (without using Fraps), then they've got better eyes than I have.
 
The GTX 460 I link has a mild factory overclock as well (45 Mhz). She wouldn't have to lift a finger for that either.
 
If he has a 180$ budget why not get a 6870 which is faster than the 460 and 6850? Little extra power incase a monitor upgrade ever occurs.
 
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