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Author Topic: New Video Card time!  (Read 801 times)

nenjin

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New Video Card time!
« on: December 31, 2011, 04:47:28 pm »

I have my eye on this guy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130572

I'm upgrading from a Nvidia 8800GTS, so in my book this is a fairly substantial upgrade. I'm really only buying a new card because BF3 runs like ass for me, and that's usually a sign that I'm about to fall out of the range of being able to play newer games. Every other game I've bought recently has run just fine (at my mid-range expectations.)

But since I haven't bought a new card in probably 6 years, I decided to strike while the iron is hot.

The price is right about where I'm comfortable (~$120). Think I can do better than this in that price range?
« Last Edit: December 31, 2011, 04:50:31 pm by nenjin »
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Nirur Torir

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2011, 10:53:02 pm »

Why do you want a 450 instead of a 550? They only cost a little more after rebates (or the same, depending on who makes the slight variant you pick).
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Capntastic

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2011, 11:29:12 pm »

Save up like fifty dollars more to get one that is proportionally quite a bit more effective.  It's the difference between saving fifty dollars now and wanting to get a new video card next year to avoid being 'behind the curve'.
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Tellemurius

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2012, 11:40:35 am »

550 Ti bro

Knight of Fools

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2012, 12:03:25 pm »

I've been looking at graphics cards for the same reason.

I've got a GTS 250, so it's not a bad card, so I've been looking at the GTX 560, which seems to be a good 'bang for the buck' deal. NewEgg has it for $179 without rebates, and up to $229 for overclocked ones - If you do the rebates you'll save around $15. It's not cheap, but it'll last for a few years without sacrificing performance, I think, and it's only $50 more than the one you're looking at.

The only thing I'm not sure on is which brand to go with. They all look similar with some minute differences in speed and whether they overclock it or not, but are there any brands I should avoid or prefer?
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nenjin

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2012, 02:38:23 pm »

I used to know which manufacturers were solid. Nowadays, not so much. Just make sure to read the product reviews. EVGA, MSI and Gigabyte are three brands that generally have never let me down.
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Cautivo del Milagro seamos, Penitente.
Quote from: Viktor Frankl
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
Quote from: Sindain
Its kinda silly to complain that a friendly NPC isn't a well designed boss fight.
Quote from: Eric Blank
How will I cheese now assholes?
Quote from: MrRoboto75
Always spaghetti, never forghetti

nenjin

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2012, 05:31:47 pm »

So I went ahead and got the 550 Ti. Total was $150 after shipping, which will be $130 if I can remember to mail in the rebate. So excited. Finally a good video card so my i5 has some real company.
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Cautivo del Milagro seamos, Penitente.
Quote from: Viktor Frankl
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
Quote from: Sindain
Its kinda silly to complain that a friendly NPC isn't a well designed boss fight.
Quote from: Eric Blank
How will I cheese now assholes?
Quote from: MrRoboto75
Always spaghetti, never forghetti

justinlee999

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2012, 05:39:45 am »

I heard the 560 ti has more bang for the buck, but it's too late to change now, oh well...
« Last Edit: January 06, 2012, 09:51:49 am by justinlee999 »
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nenjin

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2012, 03:45:25 pm »

The 560Ti ended up being $100 more than what I budgeted for myself. That's the thing with hardware upgrades. You'll $20 better deal yourself into spending $100 more than you wanted to. :P
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Cautivo del Milagro seamos, Penitente.
Quote from: Viktor Frankl
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
Quote from: Sindain
Its kinda silly to complain that a friendly NPC isn't a well designed boss fight.
Quote from: Eric Blank
How will I cheese now assholes?
Quote from: MrRoboto75
Always spaghetti, never forghetti

Tellemurius

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2012, 04:52:48 pm »

The 560Ti ended up being $100 more than what I budgeted for myself. That's the thing with hardware upgrades. You'll $20 better deal yourself into spending $100 more than you wanted to. :P
Its a better deal for the 550ti and you can always buy another one for sli.

nenjin

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2012, 05:31:17 pm »

Yeah, at this price, SLI is something I'll definitely consider when I just need more raw horse power. (Never tried an SLI setup in my life.) Course that'll probably require a new PSU.
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Cautivo del Milagro seamos, Penitente.
Quote from: Viktor Frankl
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
Quote from: Sindain
Its kinda silly to complain that a friendly NPC isn't a well designed boss fight.
Quote from: Eric Blank
How will I cheese now assholes?
Quote from: MrRoboto75
Always spaghetti, never forghetti

Tellemurius

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Re: New Video Card time!
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2012, 05:36:54 pm »

Yeah, at this price, SLI is something I'll definitely consider when I just need more raw horse power. (Never tried an SLI setup in my life.) Course that'll probably require a new PSU.
yes, don't worry though, i really don't think you need to upgrade for at least another 1-2 years.