Picking a GPU for my first build

l3iohazard

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 22, 2010
Messages
278
Ok so here is the problem, I've read review after review saying 6950 vs 6970 vs 570. For the most part 570 beating both the other cards, but my question is (without trying to start a Nvidia/AMD war) which is best as far as price/performance? Budget for the GPU about $350. I have a 1000 watt PSU, and will want to do SLI or Crossfire in the future.

These are the cards Im looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102929
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127581
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127564

Thanks in advance :)
 
Which 1000W PSU?
What's the max resolution of your monitor?
 
Yeah not a good choice for a PSU: It's based off the Sirfa design which isn't all that great in the first place. Considering that it's from Rosewill, there's a very good chance that it cannot provide that 1000W of power.

I recommend picking up the Corsair 750TX V2 750W PSU, XFX Pro 750W or the Antec Truepower New 750W PSUs as they are of significantly higher quality than that Rosewill and 100% guaranteed to be capable of providing 750W.

For that resolution, pick up the HD 6950 1GB or the 2GB for a little future headroom
 
I would go for the GTX 570 personally. But they are so close to each other that it really depends on which you prefer (nvidia/ATI). Since this is your first build though it's up to you since you haven't formed a personal opinion yet.

And yeah like danny said the PSU is complete shit. High wattage does not mean high quality. I'll take a good 750 watt from a reputable brand over a shitty 1kw from rosewill any day.
 
Get a reference 6950 2gb, unlock it and overclock it. Best price/performance by far - it'll leave you an extra $100 to put towards a second card.
 
Agree with the above. HD 6950 unlocked/OCed. Same performance as a 6970, uses less power than a 570. 750W PS will handle 2 6950s in crossfire.
 
Is the 6950 I mentioned ok? I will look into another PSU.

No because it's from Sapphire which means a two year warranty and relatively poor customer support. I'd look at a card from XFX, MSI, Asus, or Gigabyte
 
Get a reference 6950 2gb, unlock it and overclock it. Best price/performance by far - it'll leave you an extra $100 to put towards a second card.
QFT!

Any brand will work. But if you go CF or ever consider overclocking it. Play it safe and buy from XFX, MSI, Asus, or Gigabyte. XFX being the #1 choice.
 
The 6950 2GB reference card is the best bang for your buck. It can be unlocked and overclocked, which performs exactly like a 6970 for $100 less. Like mentioned before, use that $100 towards another card, but make sure you have a sufficient power supply first.
 
The 6950 2GB reference card is the best bang for your buck. It can be unlocked and overclocked, which performs exactly like a 6970 for $100 less. Like mentioned before, use that $100 towards another card, but make sure you have a sufficient power supply first.

Seconded (thirded, fourthed?)
 
Get a reference 6950 2gb, unlock it and overclock it. Best price/performance by far - it'll leave you an extra $100 to put towards a second card.

This is very true. An unlocked/overclocked 6950 2GB will be the best bang for your buck by far.
 
If you havent ordered your monitor yet I suggest the Asus vh238h it's the same price and size but is led with higher contrast 50,000,000 compared to 20,000 :1
 
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Those contrast ratios are loads of crap, FYI. If you're going to quote contrast ratios, find one that is measured in a good review. LEDs are also bad for color gamut, but, hey, it's a cheap TN panel, should be fine for gaming and crap for everything else.
 
There is another thread on this board indicating that XFX has been selling non-reference cards as reference ones, even keeping the same model number.
 
There is another thread on this board indicating that XFX has been selling non-reference cards as reference ones, even keeping the same model number.

That shouldn't be a problem with the black editions which are supposedly still reference design, but i'm not sure if they have a black edition 6950 as the only ones i've seen are 6970's.

I agree with everyone else that the 6950 is probably the best way to go. You have a 90% chance of a successful unlock. If you are unlucky, the 6950's still overclocks very well and will still leave you with plenty of money for a 2nd 6950.
 
Another vote for the 6950 2GB version. Boy, the prices sure went up!

I bought my MSI one for $245 and it came with a $10 newegg GC
 
I got a 6950 2Gb XFX (reference) and id definitely recommend it but they are sold out and i assume that means they will be going to non-reference design soon. Also mine only cost $240 AR and looks like they go for $280 now. However it is a amazing card, and 2 of them in CF will be unstoppable.
 
GTX 570 is too limited in framebuffer and notorious for having weak VRMS. A few frames compared to the 6950 competition makes for a silly rationale to choose one above the other. The additional RAM & bandwidth provide a nice path for upgrading resolution without sacrificing IQ.
 
well having first hand experience with the monitor i can tell you it does everything great, cheap yes, low quality no, but thanks for the heads up.
 
hey hazard its been said over and over again that if your rez is 1080 or so a single 6950 unlocked shaders only can do the job for alot less money. thats the card ive gone with and been very happy with. i have the 2 gig version so you know its msi ref too. forgot to add that in the event that you go eyefinity then the 6970 will suffice with xfire. also theres really no point in spending extra cash for the 6970 or the 570 if you dont eyefinity or surround. its totally a waste of money imo. now you know.
 
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