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Totally Confused.

  • Thread starter Deleted member 12930
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Deleted member 12930

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So it's been a few years (about 8) since I last was "in the know" with computer parts. Long story short; my life situation changed to the point that buying new hardware wasn't possible. So I didn't even keep up-to-date on the hardware changes happening. Let alone the company merges.

It seems like there's been a huge change in GPU tech sense I last knew about it. Hell, the names seem to have gotten even more confusing. The last video card I owned was a GeForce2. I'm going to be building a new computer soon, so I need some help making a selection.

If one of you doesn't mind, anyway I could get a refresher course? What's the latest and greatest GPU out there right now? What about the latest and greatest below that one?

Back when I was current with the tech the NVIDIA cards really won out over ATI. Is that still true?

Thanks!
 
It all depends on your Resolution now a days on wich card is Best suited for your needs.
 
Well, for starters, AMD took over ATI and killed the brand. So, the GPU division is also called AMD. So, its an AMD 6950, for example and not ATI.
 
That's what I thought. How are there cards now? Comparable to NVIDIA?
 
Well, the easiest way to determine which card you will need is what size monitor are you going to be using?
 
I'm most likely going to get a 22" monitor. Though I may go with a 24" instead.

Does the monitor really make that big of difference now though?
 
Don't think we're suppose to link directly but you may try going to Tom's hardware and look under ARTICLES. They have a rating of sorts each month on value for dollar. It'll give you a quick snapshot at a certain pricepoint and what they think so you can go and make your decision. And of course there's tons of reviews and sli/cfx comparisons right here in good old [H]
 
Maybe check out the other 100+ threads that basically ask the same question?
 
FranDaMan said:
Don't think we're suppose to link directly but you may try going to Tom's hardware and look under ARTICLES. They have a rating of sorts each month on value for dollar. It'll give you a quick snapshot at a certain pricepoint and what they think so you can go and make your decision. And of course there's tons of reviews and sli/cfx comparisons right here in good old [H]
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Also, I know what SLI is, but CFX? That's where most of my confusion is. It seems like GPU / Video Card manufactures have gone out of their way to have the most confusing names possible!
 
For a 1920x1080 Id go with one of the new middle range cards (GTX 560Ti or 6950 1gb), maybe even the 2gb 6950 as it unlocks into the more expensive 6970 with ease. If youre on a budget, the 2500k with compatible mobo and 4gb ram would still be my priority as theyre just awesome and unequaled, and instead maybe start off with a 6850 for the graphics.
Crossfire is pretty much the same as SLI, except you dont have to have two AMD cards to run more than two monitors with CF, unlike nvidia.
 
I agree with Mokkat above. This would be my Choice at this Moment. 6950 1GB for 259.99 or a 6950 2GB & unlock it to a 6970. If you plan in going with Eyefinity in the Future then go with the 6950 & unlock it. You will need that 2GB of Vram
 
cool, thanks for the advice. I'll do some more reading about these cards!
 
NickTheNut said:
I'm most likely going to get a 22" monitor. Though I may go with a 24" instead.

Does the monitor really make that big of difference now though?
Click to expand...
It's not the monitor size but the resolution you run at. Gaming at 1024x768 is completely different than 1920x1080, but you could do both on a 23" monitor, but the later takes 2.5 times the horse power.

Another thing to keep in mind is some graphics cards shipping now are dual-gpu. The AMD 6990 coming out is dual GPU, as is the 5970.

Nvidia currently has the best single GPU card, which is the GTX580. That would be a card to use if your gaming at 1920x1080p+ resolution if you want the absolute best, but at a steep cost. The NV GTX 570 is a good high end card with a reasonable price. Some say the AMD 6970 is beter than the 570 and cost less. The NV GTX470 and NV GTX460 are also decent if you stay under 1080p, as is the AMD 6950, AMD 6870, etc.

Getting a quad-core CPU is also important if your building a new gaming rig. Games are almost all quad-core supportive, so there's no reason to be hesitant of quads in gaming because you will use it.
 
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NickTheNut said:
That's what I thought. How are there cards now? Comparable to NVIDIA?
Click to expand...

Yup, ATI became competitive only a couple years after you bowed-out, when they released the 9700 Pro. They have since had their ups (x1900 XTX) and downs (2900 XT), but the company has been pretty consistent since they released their 4000 series 2.5 years ago.

In the latest generation, ATI has been executing first on new features (first with DirectX 11) and improving performance/watt. Nvidia has finally caught up and released competitive products in the last 6 months, so you can buy from either side.

Basic differences between the two sides:

ATI: lower power consumption for the same performance (this difference drops-off in ATI's high-end). Some interesting new AA modes like MLAA, which works on nearly every game.

Nvidia: more powerful tessellation unit (potentially good for future games where tessellation is the performance limiter, not so big a factor today). Also has the highest-performance single GPU you can buy.
 
the ATI drivers are still crap last time I had them, so nvidia wins there. But ATI does have some really good cards like the 5770, consumes very little power and performs like a champ.
 
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