Saturnine Tenshi Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Thought of putting this elsewhere, but since my card is used chiefly for gaming, I think it'll fit here just fine. Need to get a new one before my RMA period expires(approx. 30 days left). Trying to pick up a mid-range card, and I've been out of the loop for a while. Right now I'm thinking either a 6870 or 6790, but I'm not too familiar with Radeon cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strangelove Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 (edited) As a pc noob, I never understood video cards. When I look at game requirements itll say what cards, but there are tons of cards. How do you know YOUR specific card is similar to the ones named? Do you have to go look it up too? Also, isnt that a fucking hassle? Edited November 7, 2011 by Strangelove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Does it need to be an ATI card? *Edit - As a pc noob, I never understood video cards. When I look at game requirements itll say what cards, but there are tons of cards. How do you know YOUR specific card is similar to the ones named? DO you have tog o look it up too? Also, isnt that a fucking hassle? Yes, it can be a hassle. Can You Run It makes it easier though. Also, as a general rule (doesn't apply anywhere near all the time) a bigger number in the card name means it's better, but that only works comparing within the same brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strangelove Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 I use Can You Run It all the time and it ALWAYS says my card is incompatible with pretty much every single game. I still try it and it seems to work with pretty much every game. Kind of shitty. As a simpleton, this kind of thing makes me weary of spending money on pc stuff. I feel like pc guys will never understand how hard it is to truly figure out pcs. You guys just seem to kind of...know. Its like people who cant understand people who cant swim. It seems crazy to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorgi Duke of Frisbee Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 I get where you're coming from, Strangelove, but I've found an incredibly simple solution to that problem. I used to have the same concerns and issues. Now I just copypasta my laptop specs onto a forum for the game, and the users can tell me whether I can run it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterDex Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 You could be right but I think it's really just down to familiarity. When you start spending a lot of time learning about PCs, building them and fixing problems over the years, you start to get the hang of it. I think everyone gets a bit stumped from time to time on cards. Can You Run It and GPU Hierarchy charts are good ways to know where you stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saturnine Tenshi Posted November 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 I just haven't been keeping up with the video card parade for the last six months or so. I've visited Tom's Hardware and Hardware Canucks to try and (re)educate myself. Also checked some comparisons using the 580 versus both those cards. I've actually never used an ATI card before. Been using NVIDIA since as long as I can remember. But judging by the price range I'm seeking($100-170), they seem to be the top performing models. I actually already have a 460, but I'm going to need to RMA it soon. Only 30 days left on my RMA period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Well you can get a GTX 470 at Newegg for $190, which I know is a little outside of your price range. They do have 460s in your price range. I know that the ATI's are cheaper per theoretical performance, but in my experience they just don't work as well, they have compatibility issues and glitches, and just generally aren't as well supported. Is there a reason you don't want to just replace it other than the fact that ATI's are cheaper? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saturnine Tenshi Posted November 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Well, I'm not certain whether I'll get my card to them in time for the RMA tbh. I still need this one to ship to me before I ship mine out. My 460 works, but it doesn't work well. Running benchmarks with the results you'd expect from an 8800GT. I plan on using either the repaired 460 or the new card as a replacement in my wife's PC. I think she's using a 5770. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luftwaffles Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 I've got a 560Ti which I strongly recommend. The thing runs loud as hell, but it's a pretty amazing card for performance/price, and IMO the best value card you can buy right now. It is a little out of your price range, though, but it's the current generation Nvidia card and EVGA has a just dandy lifetime warranty. It is awfully far out of your price range, I guess, but it is pretty much the current gen replacement to your current card and runs a hell of a lot better. Also, what resolution do you play at? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saturnine Tenshi Posted November 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Yeah, the 560 is well out of my price range. I usually play at 1920x1200 with settings that allow me to play that high. Generally ran everything well at higher settings until the card started acting up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luftwaffles Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Yeah, I'd say Ethan's suggestion of trying to pick up a 470 on the cheap could work if you can swing the cost. Looking at benchmarks between the 460 and 470 the FPS jump is on average 7 to 10 which is fairly negligible for the price you'd be paying. If you really are in the market for a new, new card though it'd be my recommendation behind the 560Ti (which is purely personal bias). The 470 is quite a bit more futureproof than the 460 as well, which could be something to consider with new releases in full swing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nezacant Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Bam. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card-gaming-performance,3042.html This is a good guide to follow for best bang for the buck. Very unbias look at video cards based on price vs performance. They do this every month. The November article should be released soon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saturnine Tenshi Posted November 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 That's actually the guide I was using, and where I extracted the two Radeon cards from. x: Thanks, though. I'm currently looking around for an affordable 470. Unfortunately, my options are limited in Canada. |:< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 560Ti is good but first of all check your PSU, since you're not going for the 500s you should probably have enough juice for a single card setup. People often forget to tell that you do need to check your PSU before getting a new card as if it's just about even you'll find more noise, the system just shutting down from overheating and the like. The 460 needs about 500W minimum, I'd recommend 550-700W. If you don't have enough power your card normally doesn't get you the best performance. While I would have recommended the 6950 for a tiny bit over that price range the thing is lately more ATI cards do experience stuttering in games and it's mostly card specific. Primarily because ATI makes some really shit drivers too. The 460 is still pretty decent low-midrange to be honest. @Spork what's the make of your 560Ti, for that card I'd recommend the MSI series primarily because it brings in extra cooling and is actually a very quiet little card so long as you've managed to avoid leaving your cabinet dusty. The thing about gfx cards today is there are sufficient differences in framerate performance depending on manufacturer to manufacturer. it may seem small at times but it's there. It wasn't always like this, they were much more negligible in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luftwaffles Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 @WTF I've got a EVGA, which I'd definitely recommended for the lifetime warranty. I'm sorta regretting not getting the MSI Twin Frozr for cooling and general longevity, but I have a cold house and a case with fairly good circulation so it's never gotten very hot. I have heard MSI 560Ti's have been lasting longer, probably because of the extra cooling, but I just went EVGA for the warranty and having good luck with them in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saturnine Tenshi Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I always buy eVGA. Unfortunately, I'm not going to make their RMA period for their 460 because I live in Canada, and they're in L.A. Which is where half of this friggin' problem stems from. I'm currently on a 650w PSU, so I should be fine. Anyway, thanks for the input, everyone. I'm taking a look around and trying to locate some sort of deal somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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