GPU Value Comparisons

So I built my PC, now I need a graphics card. I don't mind if its a GeForce or Radeon.

But my budget is R1500. What's a good card for gaming?

BTW, my MB is SLI & Crossfire compatible...Should I good for a cheaper card now and get a another later on? - Sorry, don't know if that makes sense.

(Current Rig: i5 2500K, ASRock Z68, 8GB DDR3, 550w PSU)
 
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Most 550W PSU's won't have enough connectors for 2x graphics cards in SLI/CrossFire in any case.

One of the best value for money cards that you can get for ~R1500 now is this: http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=5395
Alternatively look at second hand HD6850/6870 cards on like Carbonite.co.za. Just be very careful with 2nd-hand purchases - ensure that you meet face to face if possible.
 
I have a CM GX 550w PSU, it has 2 PCI-e pins.

How would the HD6850 fair against latest games like BF3, could I run it on max graphics (well decent)?
Also, I don't mind waiting for a month or 2...if there's something good coming out.
 
Both the HD6850/7770 would be able to run BF3 on 1920x1080, but not on max details if you want a high framerate. If you want to run it at max detail with a high framerate, then you need to run them in CrossFire.

If you don't overclock your CPU or graphics card, then you might get away with 2x HD7770's, since they only require 1x 6-pin PEG (PCI-Express Graphics) connector.
If you had an Antec HCG520, then it would've been able to easily run 2x HD7770's with overclocking enabled on the CPU + GPU's, but I'm not so sure on how well the GX550w from Coolermaster will handle CrossFire + overclocking.

The HD6850/6870 use considerably more power than the HD7770.
 
Yes plz :D Though the credit is due elsewhere, I cant recall who told the forum about the special (pada or nakedpeanut I think...?)
 
I mentioned that HD6870 in the "hardware bargains" thread a week or so ago ;)

myBB is actually busy sending me a t-shirt for a reason unknown to me - LOL :D
 
srothman said:
Which AMD card compares to the GTX570 as far as performance goes...if any?
Click to expand...

HD6970, costs about the same (usually less), but has virtually identical performance. Otherwise its the HD7870, but at their current price, I'd go for the 6970 (better value)
 
Thanks. also, might ot be slightly off topic, but with the whole SLI/Xfire vs. single-card option...whic is better? My intention is to at some stage add an additional card, but purely because I want to. I will be happy with a single-card solution if it means I can run the latest games and do some proper video editing and graphic design.

EDIT: How would a GIGABYTE GV-R785OC-2GD compare?
http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=5770
 
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just got one of those GLH gtx570's from Evetech.man im impressed.
and a +...I DONT NEED A HEATER FOR THE COLD WINTER COMING
 
srothman said:
Thanks. also, might ot be slightly off topic, but with the whole SLI/Xfire vs. single-card option...whic is better? My intention is to at some stage add an additional card, but purely because I want to. I will be happy with a single-card solution if it means I can run the latest games and do some proper video editing and graphic design.

EDIT: How would a GIGABYTE GV-R785OC-2GD compare?
http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=5770
Click to expand...

Assuming you mean if the dual-card setup gives similar performance to one super-expensive card. It depends on what you're after. The single card will normally use less power and generate less heat. It is also guaranteed that the full power of the card will be available, with SLI or Crossfire, you might need to disable one card with some games (although this is becoming very rare with new drivers).

The dual-card setup would normally be (a lot) cheaper, take for example getting 2 HD6870 cards for R 3400, giving similar (actually slightly better) performance than a single HD7970, which costs R6000... For me there is no contest in this case, you would pay a massive premium for a little bit of power saving.
 
TJ99:
You're right that SLI/CrossFire cards are cheaper than single high end card solutions, however the total system cost might not be that much less though.

Like to be able to run a SLI/CrossFire system, you'll need a big case with decent airflow, which would cost more than just a plain case for that could run a single card.
Secondly, you'll need a rather expensive motherboard that supports SLI/CrossFire, and preferably one with 1 - 2 PCI-E slots inbetween the 2 cards so that they don't run that hot.

I went for 2x GTX460 cards like almost 2 years ago, because it was much more affordable than 1x GTX480 at that time + my X58 motherboard did have SLI/CrossFire support.
 
Pada said:
TJ99:
You're right that SLI/CrossFire cards are cheaper than single high end card solutions, however the total system cost might not be that much less though.

Like to be able to run a SLI/CrossFire system, you'll need a big case with decent airflow, which would cost more than just a plain case for that could run a single card.
Secondly, you'll need a rather expensive motherboard that supports SLI/CrossFire, and preferably one with 1 - 2 PCI-E slots inbetween the 2 cards so that they don't run that hot.

I went for 2x GTX460 cards like almost 2 years ago, because it was much more affordable than 1x GTX480 at that time + my X58 motherboard did have SLI/CrossFire support.
Click to expand...

Well, true, but I did imply that by mentioning the higher heat output and power requirements. Didn't really even consider the case, that shouldn't be an issue unless it's some kind of small form factor (had 2X HD5770's in a quite a small Coolermaster mid-tower with no problems), and most motherboards these days support Crossfire and/or SLI, again unless they're a smaller than normal form factor, or "budget" boards. Same goes for power supplies, you need a big enough one. I just didn't consider that someone contemplating dropping R6k on a graphics card would be running an HTPC case and a H67 motherboard..
 
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