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Analysis Paralysis

E

Eradan

[H]ard|Gawd
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Apr 7, 2006
Messages
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Back in April I created a thread requesting advice on upgrading the system in my signature. As of today I still have yet to upgrade due, primarily, to a lack of money.

Here's the thread:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1601639

I have this 20% Microcenter coupon and a bit of folding money and have decided to go ahead and upgrade my video card NOW. With the coupon, my options are as follows:

560ti (Zotac) $180
560ti (Gigabyte OC model) $200 (rumored to perform near 570 levels)
HD 6950 (Gigabyte 1GB) $216
570 $250

I've spent hours yesterday and today combing through these forums and countless reviews and at this point I'm unable to make a decision.

So, please, someone tell me what to buy.

Oh yeah...here's what I'm playing these days: WoW, Diablo II, Gears of War, Assassin's Creed. Want to pick up Dead Island, Witcher 2, Diablo III (2012), maybe Skyrim and BF3. Also going to pickup the Star Wars MMO in December. The beta did not run well with AA enabled on my system.

Thank you.
E:)
 
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Need to know the resolution. At 1920x1200 or below the GTX570's the best, but at higher resolutions than that the HD6950 is the best deal (assuming it's 2GB)
 
GTX570 is probably best then, there's not a lot in it, about 5% between it and the HD6950. If you'd sooner save the $34 and get very similar performance, do it. If you want the absolute best for $250 go with the 570.
 
It's actually a better deal than that as he has a %20 coupon so it should come out to be $218 after rebate. Which is a HOLY SHIT deal :)

He should get 20% off of $310 which is $62.00, that puts him at $248 up front and $218 after he gets that rebate check. WOW
 
It is reasonably common, and it's endemic to pretty much every Fermi card. The architecture does have its problems, but then again so does the HD5/6 series (dodgy cursors or corner of the screen)
 
Hah I can't believe it's taken so long for the 20% MC coupon to get here.

I have a Zotac myself and it's been working great. I checked with the eVGA OC scanner + Furmark right when I got it and it didn't find anything. These are all reference cards anyway, so I wouldn't really worry about it.
 
It seems like a little voltage bump will fix the issue. I hope my Antec 550w power supply will be able to give a 5xx series card enough current. I think I have either 42 or 48 amps on the 12V rail.

It has occurred to me that I could buy an EVGA 560ti tonight and then jump up to a 580 within 90 days.

I have about an hour to figure it out. Hitting Microcenter on the way home from work today.

E
 
It can fix it, but it's not guaranteed. A 550W PSU will be enough to boost the power to one card. Two though, is a bit ambitious, unless that CPU's running stock (and it shouldn't be if you're using SLI)
 
Lord_Exodia said:
It's actually a better deal than that as he has a %20 coupon so it should come out to be $218 after rebate. Which is a HOLY SHIT deal :)

He should get 20% off of $310 which is $62.00, that puts him at $248 up front and $218 after he gets that rebate check. WOW
Click to expand...

i wasn't sure how much tax he'd pay. It could add a jackson. Still a hot deal I agree. Newegg doesn't come close.
 
Either the 570 or the 560Ti would be great.

If those cards are reference anyway, all your buying is the warranty protection/reputation.

Advice: Don't buy Dead Island until it goes in the bargain bin, DO buy Hard Reset to break in that new GPU!!:D
 
Not interested in SLI and I am not overclocking my Q9550. Good news that my 550 should be able to carry the load.

Thank you for the Dead Island tip!
 
Wanted to follow up here and let you know what I ended up buying.


I had the Zotac 570 AMP card in hand but ultimately chose the EVGA GTX 560ti DS Superclocked.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0365382

With the 20% coupon, the EVGA card was $199 plus tax and I'll get $10 back from the rebate. Also got the code for the Batman: Arkham Asylum game which I may sell.

In the end, I wasn't comfortable with the Zotac brand name. My current GTX 260 is an EVGA and it has performed flawlessly for the last few years. I'm happy to give EVGA my business again.

When I finally retire my Q9550 engineering sample in November or December, I may step up to a 580 if I feel like I need more horsepower to accompany whatever Sandy Bridge chip I end up with.

Thanks again to everyone who offered advice.

E
 
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