Best video card under $150? (Also how is this build overall?)

460 is a bad buy.

6850 or 6870 will own it.



Pretty sure you don't know what you are talking about. When you compare them at msrp, the AMD cards look good. But when you consider them at their best sale prices (which you can find on the 460 right now) NOTHING AMD compares to it (using the fps/$ metric).
 
O, btw, I successfully flashed the 6950 bios to a 6970, shaders verified :cool:. On top of that, I was able to fit my old zalman gpu heatsink on without any troubles.

My only complaint is some microstuttering im experiencing in Furmark. Other than that, the thing is a beast!
 
trolling how?

6870-$164.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161349

460-169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133326

Review of 6870/6850 vs 460
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/10/21/amd_radeon_hd_6870_6850_video_card_review/1


Even if the 6870 is 10-20$ more than the 460 its definitely a better performer, and by a good margin.

cheapest Gtx 460 1gb =119$ AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...00202&cm_re=gtx460_1gb-_-14-500-202-_-Product

cheapest 6870 = 165$ AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161349&cm_re=6870-_-14-161-349-_-Product

Thats a 45$ difference or about 30% cheaper.

A gtx 460 @ 850 core ( which 99% of them do) is about 5% slower than a 6870 @ 1000 core.
Remember a stock gtx 460 is 675 core and can overclock about 30%. A stock 6870 is 900 core and overclocks about 10%.
Thats the difference. About 5% more performance for about 30% more price.

first review on this google page.
[ame="http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=ie7&q=gtx460+overclocked+vs+6870&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ACAW_enUS415US415"]302 Moved[/ame]

HD6800-OC-56.jpg
 
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a 6870 just sold off newegg open box for $109...I just missed it, but if you are willing to go open box and are lucky, you might be able to save some money.
 
Cheapest 460 1gb is correctly $119 after MIR.
Cheapest 6850 is $139 after MIR. Just looking at that, the 460 is a better deal.
The 6850 however, comes with a copy of Dirt 3. If you like Dirt 3 and don't have it, its a good deal, and you always have the option to sell the game as well. Overall, I'd say they're about even right now and if you care about power, you'll save a little on your bills with the 6850.
Overall, its pretty close to a wash, so its not worth arguing over- there's the facts, and the people who are buying cards can use them as they please.
 
Hello, so I decided to build a new computer, for gaming and photo editing. My budget is low, ($700), so I can't blow too much money on a video card unless I get good deals.

Right now the specs that I'm looking at:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHZ
Mobo unknown (What would be good?)
8GB DDR3 Ram
1TB 7200RPM HD
Windows 7 Home Premium X64.

So...it's been a while since I've built a computer, so I've lost my knowledge of video cards. So what would be a good one with my budget? Also how do the overall specs look? Anything I should change?

I'm a huge AMD fan, but getting a non Sandy Bridge right now would be a mistake.


From newegg:
  • Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz + GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3-B3 Combo - $219
  • EVGA 01G-P3-1373-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB - $139.99
  • HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.C 0F10383 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $59.99
  • G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL - $72.99

Subtotal: $528
 
Cheapest 460 1gb is correctly $119 after MIR.
Cheapest 6850 is $139 after MIR. Just looking at that, the 460 is a better deal.
The 6850 however, comes with a copy of Dirt 3. If you like Dirt 3 and don't have it, its a good deal, and you always have the option to sell the game as well. Overall, I'd say they're about even right now and if you care about power, you'll save a little on your bills with the 6850.
Overall, its pretty close to a wash, so its not worth arguing over- there's the facts, and the people who are buying cards can use them as they please.


This is the way to look at the deals (in addition to happymedium's assessment of overclocking potential). But if you were to pay slightly more for the EVGA model that comes with the Digital Creativity Suite, you can sell the software bundle and likely get the best deal. My EVGA SSC+ ended up about $85 after everything.
 
UPDATE:

Well, I bought a video card online. It was $150, plus $4 shipping. And I live in dumb Chicago so I payed $20 for tax. (Most states weren't charged for tax) So it was $184, but then theres a $30 rebate, and free Photoshop Elements.
 
Haha wow can't believe I left that out. An EVGA GTX 460 1024MB Overclocked with a lifetime warranty.
 
So, also, would I be ok with 550W do ya think?

Just reminding...

i5, MAYBE i7 Sandy Bridge CPU. Most likely i5
8GB DDR3 1600MHZ ram
GTX 460 1024MB Superclocked
1TB 7200RPM
LG DVD-RW drive
 
So, also, would I be ok with 550W do ya think?

Just reminding...

i5, MAYBE i7 Sandy Bridge CPU. Most likely i5
8GB DDR3 1600MHZ ram
GTX 460 1024MB Superclocked
1TB 7200RPM
LG DVD-RW drive
550 does not mean anything because it could be an overrated pos. you need to list the exact model psu. and go 2500k i5 as there is no need to spend 100 bucks more for i7.
 
Thanks for the replies.

So, it looks like I should get a 68-- video card. I'll start scouting for deals....(BTW my resolution is 1920x1200, I think someone asked that)

Now back to rest of the computer...

I'm still thinking about the i5 thing. I do realize it's faster, but I just wonder if its worth double the money...Is it really worth it?

Also, would 4GB of DDR3 ram be enough for gaming? I currently have an i5 Macbook Pro with 4GB of DDR3 ram, and that's not enough, but Mac OSX is not as efficient as Windows when it comes to multitasking, etc.

A 6870 and 4gb of RAM is enough for gaming. Also you will be able to game just fine with a higher end AMD X4. If you can afford an i5 I would recommend that, but you won't be loosing all that much performance with an X4, IMO, and this is according to a lot of benchmarks I've looked at...

whoops... a lotta replies since that.

Anyways, PSU wise I would recommend:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703026 or the Same version of the PC Power and Cooling, but the 750 Watt. Just my opinion.

BTW, PC Power and cooling has a 7 year warranty. The Cooler Master 650 Watt PSU I got on a special discount from Newegg has a 5 year warranty...
 
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A 6870 and 4gb of RAM is enough for gaming. Also you will be able to game just fine with a higher end AMD X4. If you can afford an i5 I would recommend that, but you won't be loosing all that much performance with an X4, IMO, and this is according to a lot of benchmarks I've looked at...

whoops... a lotta replies since that.

Anyways, PSU wise I would recommend:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703026 or the Same version of the PC Power and Cooling, but the 750 Watt. Just my opinion.

BTW, PC Power and cooling has a 7 year warranty. The Cooler Master 650 Watt PSU I got on a special discount from Newegg has a 5 year warranty...
there is little overall additional cost when getting the 2500k i5. its faster, much more efficient and has tons of oveclocking headroom. the X4 is already well behind Sandy Bridge so why build a gaming pc that is already gimped from the start? that also means the next gpu he upgrades to would be even more limited by the X4. 2500k is the best choice by far.

4gb is fine but 8gb is the better choice since ram is so cheap now. a system with 8gb will be able to cache more ram and be snappier all around. and any decent 550-600 watt psu would be more than fine for his setup.
 
Sandy Bridge are labeled "intel core I() 2XXX LGA 1155.
Original I3's "2100, 2120, (65 watt) 2100T (35 watt) HD2000 on chip video , recent I3 2105 (65 watt) HD3000 Video, locked multipliers.
I5's 2300, 2310, 2400, 2500, (95 watt), 2390T (35 watt), 2400S (65 watt), recent 2405S (65 watt); 2500T (45 watt), 2500S (65 watt) HD 2000 on chip video, locked multipliers
I5 2500K (95 watt) HD3000, unlockedmultiplier
I7 2600 (95 watt), 2600S (65 watts) , hyperthreading, HD2000 video, locked multiplier
I7 2600K (95 watt) hyperthreading, HD3000 video, unlocked multiplier
There were rumors of a Q4 Core I7 Extreme I haven't heard anything recent about 6 core hyperthreading (130 watt). rated for 1600 memory(1) dual channel, (2) quad channel..
For motherboards the H61 is a "defeatured" H67 chipset, mATX. Utility depends your needs. Some with and without ability to use on chip video. Cannot change multipliers. Does not support Raid(I think)
H67 includes SATA 3 and USB 3, includes ATX boards, includes use of on chip video, does not unlock multiplier.
P67 includes SATA3 and USB 3, cannot use on chip video, DOES unlock multiplier.
Z68 combines H67 and P67 with a couple (maybe) useful additions, does unlock multiplier, can utilize on chip video though not included on all boards.
Compared to older boards features seem sparse, there are limitations to SB ..
 
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Haha wow can't believe I left that out. An EVGA GTX 460 1024MB Overclocked with a lifetime warranty.


Ok, good to know. i5 it is!

This is the one I'm looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Nice, the EVGA should serve you well. The Corsair will be good too, I have a PC&Power Cooling 750W PSU that has served me very well. Between Corsair and PC&Power, I'ld get whichever is cheaper.

I had my friend get this OCZ Fatal1ty PSU. It's on sale and I absolutely love the modular power cables. Makes keeping your case clean nice and easy.
 
Sandy Bridge are labeled "intel core I() 2XXX LGA 1155.
Original I3's "2100, 2120, (65 watt) 2100T (35 watt) HD2000 on chip video , recent I3 2105 (65 watt) HD3000 Video, locked multipliers.
I5's 2300, 2310, 2400, 2500, (95 watt), 2390T (35 watt), 2400S (65 watt), recent 2405S (65 watt); 2500T (45 watt), 2500S (65 watt) HD 2000 on chip video, locked multipliers
I5 2500K (95 watt) HD3000, unlockedmultiplier
I7 2600 (95 watt), 2600S (65 watts) , hyperthreading, HD2000 video, locked multiplier
I7 2600K (95 watt) hyperthreading, HD3000 video, unlocked multiplier
There were rumors of a Q4 Core I7 Extreme I haven't heard anything recent about 6 core hyperthreading (130 watt). rated for 1600 memory(1) dual channel, (2) quad channel..
For motherboards the H61 is a "defeatured" H67 chipset, mATX. Utility depends your needs. Some with and without ability to use on chip video. Cannot change multipliers. Does not support Raid(I think)
H67 includes SATA 3 and USB 3, includes ATX boards, includes use of on chip video, does not unlock multiplier.
P67 includes SATA3 and USB 3, cannot use on chip video, DOES unlock multiplier.
Z68 combines H67 and P67 with a couple (maybe) useful additions, does unlock multiplier, can utilize on chip video though not included on all boards.
Compared to older boards features seem sparse, there are limitations to SB ..

Very informative post. Thank you. :)

there is little overall additional cost when getting the 2500k i5. its faster, much more efficient and has tons of oveclocking headroom. the X4 is already well behind Sandy Bridge so why build a gaming pc that is already gimped from the start? that also means the next gpu he upgrades to would be even more limited by the X4. 2500k is the best choice by far.

4gb is fine but 8gb is the better choice since ram is so cheap now. a system with 8gb will be able to cache more ram and be snappier all around. and any decent 550-600 watt psu would be more than fine for his setup.

Yea, I've been hearing the 2500k i5 is a great cpu...I'll probably go with this...Geez my $700 budget is now around $1000 haha. I hate the money involved with technology...

Nice, the EVGA should serve you well. The Corsair will be good too, I have a PC&Power Cooling 750W PSU that has served me very well. Between Corsair and PC&Power, I'ld get whichever is cheaper.

I had my friend get this OCZ Fatal1ty PSU. It's on sale and I absolutely love the modular power cables. Makes keeping your case clean nice and easy.

Hopefully it serves me well. :) I've only ever bought EVGA cards due to their warranty and overall rating.

I bought that Corsair power supply btw..
 
Hmm...Ok thanks for the replies..It looks like I should try to be on the lookout for an i5, or even i3. How would I know if the i5 is Sandy Bridge or not btw?

If you can score a deal like at Microcenter, do everything in your power to hook up with an i5 or i3. If you can score a GOOD GTX 460, then that too would be ideal. A 6850 isn't shabby either, but I can vouch that a 460 with an i5 2500k is surprisingly competent at 1900x1200.

I think that now is a bad time to be buying AMD, but if you get an AM3+ board you could just upgrade to Bulldozer. If your choices are just i3 vs 955 FOR GAMING, an i3 might be the better way to go much of the time. There are a few instances when you'll be better off with 4 physical cores, like encoding media. I think you have to give it to the i3 just for all around excellence as well as low power consumption.

For example, this is my current rig:

Core i5 2500k with a max turbo of 47x
Intel DP67BG
Noctua U12 SE2 air cooler
12GB G.Skill 1600mhz DDR3
OCZ Agility 60GB SSD
500GB Hitatchi 7200rpm 2.5" notebook drive
MSI GTX 460 Cyclone 1024mb
Seasonic X 650
Samsung BD Drive
Lian Li PC A05NB

Idle draw at the wall 49w - 51w

My AMD Athlon II/Phenom II x4 systems used quite a bit more power at idle and load. I really enjoy the efficiency, especially since most of the time, the PSU fan never spins. For me, that's what I was trying to accomplish. Its quiet and cool running.

Still, just in terms of value for the money, the 955 at $115 is unbeatable. You'd save some money on the motherboard as well. Similarly configured AMD boards are substantially less than Intel boards which is also something to consider.
 
So, my computer is built. :) I'm lovin it so far. I went over my budget but oh well.

Final specs:

Core i5 2500k
8GB DDR3 Ram
GTX 460 Superclocked
1TB Samsung 7200RPM
Antec 300
Corsair 600W PSU
Windows 7 64bit
Dell U2410 IPS

Thanks for all of the help guys. :)
 
So, my computer is built. :) I'm lovin it so far. I went over my budget but oh well.

Final specs:

Core i5 2500k
8GB DDR3 Ram
GTX 460 Superclocked
1TB Samsung 7200RPM
Antec 300
Corsair 600W PSU
Windows 7 64bit
Dell U2410 IPS

Thanks for all of the help guys. :)

Glad your liking it.. I need to build a new pc soon...i got the itch...
 
So, my computer is built. :) I'm lovin it so far. I went over my budget but oh well.

Final specs:

Core i5 2500k
8GB DDR3 Ram
GTX 460 Superclocked
1TB Samsung 7200RPM
Antec 300
Corsair 600W PSU
Windows 7 64bit
Dell U2410 IPS

Thanks for all of the help guys. :)

How do you like the Dell IPS?

I'm considering buying two 23" models.
 
How do you like the Dell IPS?

I'm considering buying two 23" models.

I love the Dell IPS monitors. If I had the money I'd buy a second 24" one. I just can't justify another $500 though. :)

I do a LOT of photography work and graphic design, so of course an IPS monitor made sense. The color clarity and perception is fantastic. The blacks are rich, and has 100% sRGB. The viewing angles are basically unlimited. You can look at it from any angle you want and the colors still look fine. Also it's not glossy. :) The USB hub/card reader is also handy, although I don't think there's a card reader on the 23" model.

I would definitively buy it.

Also, I have had this for about a year with my Mac, so I'm not just saying how much I love it because I just got it. I've had it for awhile.
 
if you do anything in graphics and photo editing.

sorry to say it CRT is the only way to go.

Its kinda funny that montiors from 10 years ago are better than just about every lcd we have today.
 
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