Graphics Graphics card for gaming at 2048x1152

Hiya bit-tech,

First a bit about my setup and requirements.

I am currently running a core i7 920 with 6gb corsair memory, and gtx 260.

I am after an upgrade for my the graphics card for running games at 1920x1080 or at the native res of my monitor- 2048x1152.

Budget is around £200. I am guessing a gtx 460 or 470, but I am unsure of which models are best for my need. Preferably quiet and cool however I am prepared to make a compromise.

In the future I may overclock the processor.

Thanks in advance.

 

If you want quiet and cool, any nVidia card above a 460 GTX is a huge no no.

 

OK, just to clarify. I know that some cards are going to be noisier than others and i am prepared to factor that into the decision. but what i really want to know is which versions/models of the cards are best for my needs. ie gainward, palit, msi???


Cheers

 

465, 470, 480 are noisy and hot REGARDLESS of which model.

 

In addition, Palit GTX460s are to be avoided as inadequately cooled, and Gigabyte's are good ones.

To be honest, the GTX460 is a great card at 1680x1050 and a good card at 1920x1200 - but above that you're really going to need more oomph. At 2048x1152, cool and quiet is going to be difficult no matter how you do it - personally I think you're best off waiting for the ATI 6xxx series, but if you have to do it right now you could contemplate SLI'd GTX460s, or X-Fire'd 5870s, or maybe a 5970.

Really - it depends. What sort of games do you play?

 

Thanks for your post.

I play all sorts, Starcraft 2, Crysis, Arkham Asylum, and alot of WoW and Bad Company 2 multiplayer.

If i were to forget about noise and heat would it be worth going for say:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1280...MHz-Shader-1215MHz-448-Cores-2x-DVI-mini-HDMI

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1GB-...5-GPU-800MHz-336-Cores-D-Sub-2x-DL-DVI-I-HDMI

And do u reckon i would just be better off running it at 1920x1080. I am using a gigabyte x58a-ud3r and i dont think i can fit 2 cards in it the palit gtx 260 i got at the moment is just massive.

 

I've got a GLH myself, awaiting installation into an mITX machine. It's a CustomPC recommended buy, but I only got it over a Gigabyte pre-OC'd because it's a shorty. I really wouldn't buy an NVIDIA 'card over the GTX460 - really, they're that bad. Get a 5870, or two GTX460s instead. What PSU d'you have?

 

I got the one down from yours, Corsair tx650, would u say it is underpowered for my system?

 

I've got the Gainward GTX460 and presumably the same monitor (Dell SP2309). I've got no complaints about performance in BF:BC2 at full res, can't comment on the other games though. Also running it off an old Seasonic 600W PSU (S12-600 I think).

 

I'd suggest waiting for the upcoming AMD 6XXX series release, supposed to offer a good increase in performance.

Either or that or get another GTX 260 for SLI (you motherboard definitely supports is and your PSU is more than enough) then save the left over £100 for your next upgrade. That should offer performance similar to the 5870.

 

cool, yeah i do have the Dell SP2309W... and am very happy with it. what processor u running mate?

 

Your Corsair's good for X-Fire, and GTX460 SLI. The GTX480 is so power-hungry I'd actually think twice before trying to SLI that, though. I would either wait for 6xxx, or get a GLH now and perhaps SLI that? I'm sure others will be able to bring more qualified suggestions.

 

2048*1156 is only 2.6% more pixels than 1920x1200. It definitely doesn't require that much more unlike 2560x1600.

A single 6800 series card would be plenty. Actually a 5800 series card is enough, but I think you should wait.

 

My complete spec is E6750 @3GHz, 4GB DDR2, Abit IP35 Pro, GTX460 GS GLH. Only game currently that doesn't run properly is F1 2010, but known bug and nothing to do with my system.

 

I also think that it would be worthwhile to wait for the ATI 6xxx series - either to buy one or to take advantage of price drops. Shouldn't be long now.

£200 would pick you up a second hand 5870 these days however and that would do the trick. I just dumped one on ebay and only got £190 + £8 postage ...

 

2xgtx260's?

 

It will fit, I'm using it now with 2x 460's. Top card runs around 15-20 *C warmer than the bottom.

 

I would personally wait another 2 weeks or so and see what AMD Radeon releases with their up and coming HD 6000 series, out look is looking great from what I can find around the net.

 

I would also wait to see AMD's new offering.

 

if you're tempted to go for the AMD 6XXX series, wait for the price point & reviews before deciding !