Graphics card advice

[tracks]

I need some advice if possible. I have an average set up home desktop:

Motherboard : Gigabyte X58A-UD3R
Processor : core i7 950 @3.10Ghz (8 CPU's)
RAM : 12GB (not that it matters as the graphics card will have it's own)

I currently have an AMD Radeon HD 5700 but I'm looking to upgrade to an ASUS Nvidia STRIX GTX 960 2GB

My question is, for the money (about 200 quid) should I be looking at something else, or by spending a little more (or less) can I get a substantially better card? I've looked at all these graphic card comparison sites but am still none the wiser. All bargraphs and bollocks as far as I can make out.

Nothing wrong with the card I have, it works absolutely fine, I just feel the need to freshen up the system.

Computer is mainly used for work during the day and gaming at night, both online and local...

[defblade]

I've just stuck in a 960; upgraded from a 460GTX. Also, not really necessary, it still played new games just on "medium/low" instead of "high". Got £35 quid for the old card on ebay, too.

I went for the MSI twin frozer, £163.

It's more than doubled my graphics performance, and I'm back on "high".

My system overall is lower spec than yours, it was still limited by the GPU. You can tell, if you want to, by downloading Passmark and setting all the baseline stats to computers as close to yours as possible, except different graphics cards and see what changes. I'm very happy with it; all the extra power is there to see on the screen, nothing else is bottlenecking it.

I think that for casual(ish) gaming, the 960 is the sweet spot at the moment. Low power and noise, enough performance. You could wait for versions with more memory, but with PC stuff you can always wait for the next big thing forever.


I hate ATI, by the way... never had a card work well from them in 25 years of messing with PCs (ok, they may not have existed 25 years ago.... 3DFX Voodoo for the win! ).
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Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[dydey90]

I have a pair of Radeon R9 280x in my pooter, each cost around £125. From memory I think they benchmark around the same as the Nvidia 970 but consume more power.
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[dransy]

IVe got the r9280x in mine its on ebuyer at the min for 140 quid.

big card though only just fit in my case!
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Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles

[dydey90]

Oh yeah I had to get a new case, they fit but not if you want a full size HDD in there too. New case the drives go in sideways so I'm all good now, got at least 6mm to spare.
____________________
This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[Ste]

This thread makes me glad I sold my cards before prices crashed even more.

[tracks]

Thanks for the help everyone. Unfortunately,The r9280's are a bit too big for my case.

So, for the money, the 960 is the best of the bunch then?

Anyone want to buy a Radeon 5700 ?

[Stowelly]

picked up a 770 gtx for 120 quid second hand...... seems about the best I could do for the money

the 960 came out recently for not much more, no idea how well it stands up to it though

[Speed]

I have nothing but praise for my GTX660. Never had any issues with Nvidia unlike ATI... Plays whatever i throw at it on high to ultra.

i7-870 CPU
8GB DDR3 RAM
NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB
Asrock H55-M LE Motherboard


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Current: Suzuki GSXR 750 Y
Former: Kawasaki ZX6R Ninja F3

[andym]

[Northern Monkey]

[CaNsA]

[defblade]

[Stowelly]

[Ste]