• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Build complete, need help on Graphics Card.

MachoSasquatcho

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 12, 2006
Messages
290
Hey guys,

As the title states...my rig (in my sig) is at long last complete save for one component. I'm looking for the best "bang for my buck" card out right now. I have up to around $270 to spend and I'm planning on buying it in the next 2 days. I will be gaming on a 24" 1920x1080p monitor. The games I will be playing in the upcoming months are WoW, SWTOR and Diablo III.

As I said I'm looking for the best value for my money right now, any and all insight is appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
WoW and D3 are all very light on the GPU. Can't speak for SWTOR (not familiar with the game).

I'd say a 560Ti/6950 would be more than enough for D3 (WoW more so).

Or maybe a 6950 unlocked to a 6970 would do great too.

Edit: +1 to the above post, then!
 
No since its shipped price is $273. Not a good deal at all since you can get this longer warrantied and better customer support having HD 6950 instead:
$280 - XFX HD-695X-CDFC Radeon HD 6950 2GB PCI-E Video Card

Use promo code "USXFX549" when you buy that card to knock it down to $275 shipped.
 
The possibility of that card (the Sapphire one) coming with a Bios switch w/ unlockable shaders not a factor in its value?
 
Better choice:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130657

http://www.techreaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/BC2-1920x1200-copy.jpg
http://www.techreaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/crysis-1920x1200-copy2.jpg

Just a few examples. When you continually see the 560 ti SC beat out the 6950 you gotta wonder, why are these people claiming the 6950 is the best bang for your buck? Most games will not take advantage of the 2GB of VRAM unless they are really pushing the card.

XFX ATI Radeon HD6950 1 GB
$243.99 - $30 rebate = $213.99

+ free BF3 download.

there may be a 2gb version around for like $40 more

Out of stock. I personally hate dealing with rebates.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Better choice:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130657

Just a few examples. When you continually see the 560 ti SC beat out the 6950 you gotta wonder, why are these people claiming the 6950 is the best bang for your buck? Most games will not take advantage of the 2GB of VRAM unless they are really pushing the card.

Don't forget you can also overclock the 6950 pretty easily. The cards are a little closer than those two graphs make it appear (and honestly, what settings are they using?). Completely different results from Anandtech:

http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph4135/35177.png

http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph4135/35159.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The possibility of that card (the Sapphire one) coming with a Bios switch w/ unlockable shaders not a factor in its value?
To me, no. However, it's entirely up to you whether or not the unlock capability is worth dealing with the short two year warranty and relatively poor customer support. To me, the unlock capability isn't worth it as I tend to keep video cards for a relatively long time and I value good customer support.
When you continually see the 560 ti SC beat out the 6950 you gotta wonder, why are these people claiming the 6950 is the best bang for your buck?

Because we're reading different reviews as Forceman noted:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/07/25/sapphire_hd_6950_2gb_dirt_3_video_card_review/8
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/08/01/asus_engtx560_ti_directcu_ii_top_video_card_review/8
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/07/11/gigabyte_gtx_560_ti_oc_video_card_review/6
 
Let us know what you decide to go with. I've got an almost identical build in the works, and am also still deciding on a video card.
 
After some deliberation I ended up going with the 6950 2GB...My board is xfire capable and with the 2GB vram I figured I would be more future proof and could just add another later on if/when I need more power.
 
Excellent... I'm heading in the same direction.

Which manufacturer did you go with? XFX lifetime seems solid, but I also haven't heard many bad things about HIS, MSI or Sapphire either.
 
Back
Top