Building A New Gaming PC But No Idea Where To Go To Meet My Needs With The Current Insane GPU Pricing - Need Your Advice and Expertise

horse

horse

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^ very true, I'd also say while I don't have a crystal ball, I'd bet that even a 6700xt would have no problem running Diablow 4 at 4K, at least at a locked 60. Nothing that I've seen seems to me like it's going to be very taxing on a system at all.
 
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Furious_Styles

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horse said:
^ very true, I'd also say while I don't have a crystal ball, I'd bet that even a 6700xt would have no problem running Diablow 4 at 4K, at least at a locked 60. Nothing that I've seen seems to me like it's going to be very taxing on a system at all.
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Yep it's a Blizzard game so you know the focus will be performance over graphics quality.
 
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Decko87

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New amd cards worth getting at this point are the 6700, 6700 xt, 6750 xt, 6800 xt new. Deals can be found on all of them, wouldn't pay more than 530 for a 6800 XT but it's solid at at 4k. The difference between the 6800 XT, 6900 XT, and 6950 XT isn't worth the price increase.
 
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SlapShot

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jlbenedict said:
There is a 2 week old non-xt RX 6800 in the forums now for $400.


I know you said not used, but that is your 4k steal right there.
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I am giving it serious consideration. However, I just saw that I can purchase the higher end, better performing Red Devil version of that Power Color 6800 card, for only $15.00 more, brand new, with full warranty and free shipping. The concern is that the 6800XT was first available back in October of 202, making it over two years old. But, given the current environment of underperforming and hugely overpriced newer generation cards, it may make perfect sense.
 
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Decko87

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SlapShot said:
I am giving it serious consideration. However, I just saw that I can purchase the higher end, better performing Red Devil version of that Power Color 6800 card, for only $15.00 more, brand new, with full warranty and free shipping. The concern is that the 6800XT was first available back in October of 202, making it over two years old. But, given the current environment of underperforming and hugely overpriced newer generation cards, it may make perfect sense.
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If you can get a 6800 for 415 I'd just nab it. Things aren't going to improve any time soon TBH.
 
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flegg

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Just buy something cheap like a 6500xt. RDR2 and D4 are a waste of time and money. You can live without bells and whistles in COD.

And I doubt any upcoming playable games (unlike the above) will be too thirsty - RE4, Baldurs Gate 3, Redwall, Suicide Squad, sons of the forest, wild hearts.
Stalker will be thirsty but it's probably just a cash grab that will also be delayed well into 2024.
 
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SlapShot

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Really appreciate all of the valuable info that you guys are providing. Especially useful to know what games will run well, and in 4k, if applicable, and what cards make sense in terms of performance per dollar. Knowing that "The difference between the 6800 XT, 6900 XT, and 6950 XT isn't worth the price increase." is incredibly helpful. You definitely have me leaning towards a 6800 XT.

This is at the high end of what I would like to spend for an "interim" GPU, but I just read two reviews and they said it not only performed superbly, and was silent. Quiet is very impoirtant for me.

https://www.newegg.com/xfx-radeon-rx-6800-xt-rx-68xtalfd9/p/N82E16814150848?Description=Radeon RX 6800XT&cm_re=Radeon_RX 6800XT-_-14-150-848-_-Product&quicklink=true

Or is it worth the difference, longterm, of another $130.00 tp go to this 6950?

https://www.newegg.com/xfx-radeon-r...950-_-27N-0002-00172-_-Product&quicklink=true
 
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SlapShot

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Quick, related question. I have an excellent power supply that is only three years old (with a lifetime warranty) that I paid quite a bit for. I would really like to re-use it. I'm told there is an adaptor so that I can connect the newer two connector AMD GPU cables to my existing power supply? How do I identify what adaptor is needed?
 
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jlbenedict

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SlapShot said:
Really appreciate all of the valuable info that you guys are providing. Especially useful to know what games will run well, and in 4k, if applicable, and what cards make sense in terms of performance per dollar. Knowing that "The difference between the 6800 XT, 6900 XT, and 6950 XT isn't worth the price increase." is incredibly helpful. You definitely have me leaning towards a 6800 XT.

This is at the high end of what I would like to spend for an "interim" GPU, but I just read two reviews and they said it not only performed superbly, and was silent. Quiet is very impoirtant for me.

https://www.newegg.com/xfx-radeon-rx-6800-xt-rx-68xtalfd9/p/N82E16814150848?Description=Radeon RX 6800XT&cm_re=Radeon_RX 6800XT-_-14-150-848-_-Product&quicklink=true

Or is it worth the difference, longterm, of another $130.00 tp go to this 6950?

https://www.newegg.com/xfx-radeon-rx-6950-xt-rx-695xatbd9/p/27N-0002-00172?Description=Radeon RX 6950&cm_re=Radeon_RX 6950-_-27N-0002-00172-_-Product&quicklink=true
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The XFX Merc319's are freaking awesome... I have the 6750 XT and while not the powerhouse of the 6800 XT and above.. it's built like a tank.. .. looks great and blends with any build.. and is not loud and obnoxious at all
 
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SlapShot

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Based on an entire day of massive research, and input from all of you here, I really thought that the 6800, or, if it was worth it, the 6950 were the clear choices to make. Then I came across the updated GPU Hierarchy from Tom's hardware and realized that, while not even remotely affordable, the cards above it simply dwarf even the 6950 in 4k. Look at the FPD numbers. The 6800 is only 50% of the top number, and the 6950 only 60%. I'm certainly never going to own a 4090, or even a 7900XTX, but the disparity is shocking.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html
 
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Decko87

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SlapShot said:
Based on an entire day of massive research, and input from all of you here, I really thought that the 6800, or, if it was worth it, the 6950 were the clear choices to make. Then I came across the updated GPU Hierarchy from Tom's hardware and realized that, while not even remotely affordable, the cards above it simply dwarf even the 6950 in 4k. Look at the FPD numbers. The 6800 is only 50% of the top number, and the 6950 only 60%. I'm certainly never going to own a 4090, or even a 7900XTX, but the disparity is shocking.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html
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Yeah, perf per dollar isn't there on the more expensive GPUs. I think if sales numbers are bad enough we may seem some cuts around summer time or fall. I'm pretty happy with my 6800 XT @ 4K. You may have to tune the settings a little for 60 FPS gameplay or use FSR Quality. I'm honestly just going to stick with it for a couple of years and wait for things to normalize, really enjoying the experience. 4k and HDR make a huge difference.
 
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sk3tch

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Make sure you measure your case - the MERC cards, in particular, are pretty friggin' huge.

I'll toss a vote in for the RX 6800 (non-XT) as being the best value for the buck out there today.

However, I vote 7900 XTX if you have no sense like I do. :)
 
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chameleoneel

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SlapShot said:
Based on an entire day of massive research, and input from all of you here, I really thought that the 6800, or, if it was worth it, the 6950 were the clear choices to make. Then I came across the updated GPU Hierarchy from Tom's hardware and realized that, while not even remotely affordable, the cards above it simply dwarf even the 6950 in 4k. Look at the FPD numbers. The 6800 is only 50% of the top number, and the 6950 only 60%. I'm certainly never going to own a 4090, or even a 7900XTX, but the disparity is shocking.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html
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The simple fix for this-----is to not care about 4K >_>

That said....if you don't already have a 1080p or 1440p monitor which you like....buying one + a 6800; will put you in the price territory of at least a 4070ti, anyway...
 
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Decko87

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GoldenTiger said:
This is the winning pick if he's already spending $730 on a Radeon 6950xt, instead of that. You're going to want raytracing and Dlss + frame gen now and in the future.
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Agreed, do not spend 700+ on a 6950 XT it's horrible price / perf. Question is if you can find a 4070 ti in that price range, it's worth it around there IMO.
 
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Gigantopithecus

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Decko87 said:
Agreed, do not spend 700+ on a 6950 XT it's horrible price / perf. Question is if you can find a 4070 ti in that price range, it's worth it around there IMO.
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If you have a Best Buy credit card, you can get 10% off the list price of the 4070 Tis with a coupon code, which drops them into the mid-$700 range. Those are readily available.

OP, get a 6800 for $450-500, a 6800 XT for a bit more at $5-600, or a 4070 Ti for $7-800. Nothing else makes sense in those price ranges. Nothing in the $6-700 range is compelling unless you luck into a 3080 Ti, but even then, a 4070 Ti isn't much more for a lot more performance.
 
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SlapShot

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chameleoneel said:
The simple fix for this-----is to not care about 4K >_>

That said....if you don't already have a 1080p or 1440p monitor which you like....buying one + a 6800; will put you in the price territory of at least a 4070ti, anyway...
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I do currently have a very good monitor capable of 1440, but have a 4k monitor in the eventual budget.

I truly appreciate the recommendation, but have you seen the reviews, from quality sources, that have absolutely trashed the 4070ti at anything even remotely close to current prices?
 
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SlapShot

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Gigantopithecus said:
If you have a Best Buy credit card, you can get 10% off the list price of the 4070 Tis with a coupon code, which drops them into the mid-$700 range. Those are readily available.

OP, get a 6800 for $450-500, a 6800 XT for a bit more at $5-600, or a 4070 Ti for $7-800. Nothing else makes sense in those price ranges. Nothing in the $6-700 range is compelling unless you luck into a 3080 Ti, but even then, a 4070 Ti isn't much more for a lot more performance.
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Based on my research, I agree with your findings. The question comes down to the prices that can be found. And is the 4070Ti really a great card?
 
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SlapShot

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SlapShot said:
Quick, related question. I have an excellent power supply that is only three years old (with a lifetime warranty) that I paid quite a bit for. I would really like to re-use it. I'm told there is an adaptor so that I can connect the newer two connector AMD GPU cables to my existing power supply? How do I identify what adaptor is needed?
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Any help with this? I really dont want to buy a new power supply.
 
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sk3tch

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SlapShot said:
I do currently have a very good monitor capable of 1440, but have a 4k monitor in the eventual budget.

I truly appreciate the recommendation, but have you seen the reviews, from quality sources, that have absolutely trashed the 4070ti at anything even remotely close to current prices?
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It’s a great card with a bad price. That said - the 6950 XT is currently worse. You just really have to look at performance for the dollar and make a decision. The move from RX 6800 to RX 6950 XT doesn’t gain you a ton and it’s nearly 2x the price.
 
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pippenainteasy

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flegg said:
Just buy something cheap like a 6500xt. RDR2 and D4 are a waste of time and money. You can live without bells and whistles in COD.

And I doubt any upcoming playable games (unlike the above) will be too thirsty - RE4, Baldurs Gate 3, Redwall, Suicide Squad, sons of the forest, wild hearts.
Stalker will be thirsty but it's probably just a cash grab that will also be delayed well into 2024.
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A gtx 970 class card couldn't run 4k games well in 2014, much less in 2023.
 
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noko

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SlapShot said:
Based on my research, I agree with your findings. The question comes down to the prices that can be found. And is the 4070Ti really a great card?
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No, for the price it kinda sucks in my opinion. If your going with a 13700K, look at what some of the folks are releasing on YouTube with performance. In this case a 12900K which should be similar to your 13700K in performance.



My opinion, if you want a place holder -> go used and not too sure about concern about mining cards, what is important is if the card works as design or not.

As for the 4070 Ti, I would definitely side step to a 7900 XT (AIBs can be had less than MSRP) especially you want a long term usage of the hardware.
  • 20GB vs 12GB -> you will never be limited by the VRam amount
  • DP 2.1a vice DP 1.4 -> you will not be limited by choices in monitors, especially for future upgrades, newer more advance VR headsets requiring the extra bandwidth, not limited by bit depths on high frequency displays etc.
  • Better performance in most games or settings that make sense
Now is the 7900 XT a good price? Nope, it kinda sucks too but not as bad as the 4070 Ti especially if you get a better deal on one. My few cents here.
 
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Decko87

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noko said:
No, for the price it kinda sucks in my opinion. If your going with a 13700K, look at what some of the folks are releasing on YouTube with performance. In this case a 12900K which should be similar to your 13700K in performance.



My opinion, if you want a place holder -> go used and not too sure about concern about mining cards, what is important is if the card works as design or not.

As for the 4070 Ti, I would definitely side step to a 7900 XT (AIBs can be had less than MSRP) especially you want a long term usage of the hardware.
  • 20GB vs 12GB -> you will never be limited by the VRam amount
  • DP 2.1a vice DP 1.4 -> you will not be limited by choices in monitors, especially for future upgrades, newer more advance VR headsets requiring the extra bandwidth, not limited by bit depths on high frequency displays etc.
  • Better performance in most games or settings that make sense
Now is the 7900 XT a good price? Nope, it kinda sucks too but not as bad as the 4070 Ti especially if you get a better deal on one. My few cents here.
Click to expand...

Just so you're aware, that was the YouTube channel posting "leaked" 7900 XTX benchmarks two weeks before a review. These might be accurate, but they also may be completely fabricated. I agree with everything you said though.
 
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noko

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Decko87 said:
Just so you're aware, that was the YouTube channel posting "leaked" 7900 XTX benchmarks two weeks before a review. These might be accurate, but they also may be completely fabricated. I agree with everything you said though.
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That is true, maybe prudent to check other benchmarks as well.
 
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SlapShot

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Not sure that it changes much, but my build parameters have changed. Micro Center had a now sold out mega deal on a bundle including the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X, a great Asus ROG Strix mobo, and 32gb of excellent DDR5 memory. At the price they had for the bundle, I saved well over $400.00 over the combined best prices that I could buy those components for anywhere. I'm not sure how they could even offer such a deal, but I couldn't pass it up.

With the exception of my CPU cooling solution, I now have all the parts necessary to build the new PC except the GPU. Which I can still wait a bit regarding if that is what makes sense.
 
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SlapShot

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sk3tch said:
It’s a great card with a bad price. That said - the 6950 XT is currently worse. You just really have to look at performance for the dollar and make a decision. The move from RX 6800 to RX 6950 XT doesn’t gain you a ton and it’s nearly 2x the price.
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Definitely agreed on the very minimal value of the 6950 XT over the 6800. Given the pricing, it makes no real sense to go with a 6850 after further research.
 
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chameleoneel

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noko said:
No, for the price it kinda sucks in my opinion. If your going with a 13700K, look at what some of the folks are releasing on YouTube with performance. In this case a 12900K which should be similar to your 13700K in performance.



My opinion, if you want a place holder -> go used and not too sure about concern about mining cards, what is important is if the card works as design or not.

As for the 4070 Ti, I would definitely side step to a 7900 XT (AIBs can be had less than MSRP) especially you want a long term usage of the hardware.
  • 20GB vs 12GB -> you will never be limited by the VRam amount
  • DP 2.1a vice DP 1.4 -> you will not be limited by choices in monitors, especially for future upgrades, newer more advance VR headsets requiring the extra bandwidth, not limited by bit depths on high frequency displays etc.
  • Better performance in most games or settings that make sense
Now is the 7900 XT a good price? Nope, it kinda sucks too but not as bad as the 4070 Ti especially if you get a better deal on one. My few cents here.
Click to expand...

HUB has a good video on this with 1440p and 4K tests. Ray Tracing tests, as well.


7900XT seems to be over 12% faster in many titles, without Ray Tracing. They are more/less equal in a couple. And there are also a couple which heavily favor Nvidia.
In Ray Tracing, the 4070 ti clearly wins in the more demanding RT titles. That said, you won't be doing RT at 4K with either card, in the most intense games. Unless you find a good mix of settings + DLSS, etc. So the emphasis on RT for choosing either card, is a bit muddy. Especially if you are otherwise trying to game at 4k or even 1440p.

I really think its a pretty tough choice. Which is further complicated by the fact that the 3090 ti seems to be clearly better than the 4070ti in some titles. A little worse in some. And more/less the same, in some. If you don't care about AV1 encoding, I would probably choose the 3090 ti.

If Ray Tracing isn't very important, then choose the 7900XT (and you still get AV1 encoding).
 
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sk3tch

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chameleoneel said:
HUB has a good video on this with 1440p and 4K tests. Ray Tracing tests, as well.


7900XT seems to be over 12% faster in many titles, without Ray Tracing. They are more/less equal in a couple. And there are also a couple which heavily favor Nvidia.
In Ray Tracing, the 4070 ti clearly wins in the more demanding RT titles. That said, you won't be doing RT at 4K with either card, in the most intense games. Unless you find a good mix of settings + DLSS, etc. So the emphasis on RT for choosing either card, is a bit muddy. Especially if you are otherwise trying to game at 4k or even 1440p.

I really think its a pretty tough choice. Which is further complicated by the fact that the 3090 ti seems to be clearly better than the 4070ti in some titles. A little worse in some. And more/less the same, in some. If you don't care about AV1 encoding, I would probably choose the 3090 ti.

If Ray Tracing isn't very important, then choose the 7900XT (and you still get AV1 encoding).
Click to expand...

To make things more complicated, it makes no sense to buy a 7900 XT when you can get a huge boost for $100 and go to XTX.
 
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LukeTbk

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According to the HUB video above, $9.19 (4070ti) vs $9.57 (7900xt) by frame at 4K using MSRP I imagine a bit closer using real world price, you save 60-65 watt an hour on a multi monitor setup (if it is a work from home computer that could mean $35 a year at the average 17 cents kwh in the USA maybe $100-120 for the lifetime depending how often you gpu shift), 40 watt an hour gaming if you are in a region for which it matters if you go with the 4070TI.

7900xt 8% better average fps, 10% more expensive, a bit more once you consider electricity bill, quite similar.
 
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