Graphics upgrade time - ooo im all tingling

right chaps its time to upgrade my GPU in what feels like forever since i did it last time.

I have a 1GB 4870 (yeah i know) and its starting struggle at my 1920x1080 res now on the vast majority of the games im playing.

ive got an i7 920 @ 4Ghz, 6GB DDR1600, 256GB samsung 830 so im good everywhere else.

Im looking at a 7870 for £179 from scan. this seem like the best choice at the moment for my res.
however i thought id ask the question to see if anyone knows about any bargins or alternatives ?

not fanboy so i just need the best card i can get for ~£200 looking to purchase next week maybe.

Cheers

 

Not unless you could find a super-bargain 660ti anywhere - cheapest on scan is £224 on today only so probably not...

 

The 7870 looks pretty good for the money although, as GeorgeK says, a bargain 660Ti or 7950 would be worth the extra cash.

 

How long do you want it to last? Finding a little extra for a 7950 or even a 670 will see you through at least another couple of years or until the new consoles hit the market - assuming they help to push the boundaries.

You might even be lucky enough to find a second hand one for very little over £200.

 

560ti 448 core for only £131?

 

what's the catch with the 560Ti ? apart from its overclockers !

 

stumping up an extra £40-50 is adding 20-25% on to the cost for no real performance gains at my resolution as far as i can tell.

EDIT - just done a quick check on the £131 560Ti 448 and while its decent card its slower by a significant margin in all but BF3 when compared to 7870

 

I respectfully disagree.

Looky

 

your comparing a 7850 ? to a 570

the 560 Ti 448 is not a 570 and its performance is about half way between 560Ti and 570 or so ive read (cant find many reviews on it comparing to 7870 though)

i guess if your showing a 7850 which is at the same price bracket then its is the better deal

 

It's a pretty close call:
GTX560 448 vs GTX570

 

hmmm i guess it is

wow this is a tough call now £131 for 560Ti 448 or 7870 for £179 or do i go higher arghhhh i hate this

 

Time to trot out the old rule:

Spend as much as you can afford.

Decide your max budget, and find the best card for that amount.

 

Performance wise they are both very close, and beat the 7850 in most games. At 1080p I'd probably go for the 560ti 448.

I'm pretty sure I saw a 570 on the marketplace for about £120 a week or so ago. Offer £110 on that?

 

Yet

My logic was that you seem to like to make a card last a loooooooooooong time, so more power now will help you achieve framerates into 2015. I don't think the same could necessarily be said of a 560Ti or even a 580.

Consider that a 670 is essentially twice the card the 560Ti (384 core) is - but for around twice the money - and it starts to make more sense.

But as Spreadie says, pick your budget and get the most horsepower you can find in that range.

If £15 over budget would net you a 7950, that would be my choice. I'd even sell a stick of RAM to fund it, buy a new one on payday!

 

budget not a massive issue i could spend £300 but id rather not lol

i guess im looking for the best bang per buck around the £200 mark. i usually upgrade every 1-2 years except my last stint where my 4870 lasted me 4 years (i bought a house instead)

cards im considering

7870 (£179)
660Ti (£225)
7950 (£225)
560Ti-448 (£131)

 

I'd go for the 7950 over the 660Ti.

I'd have the 7870 if I was determined to spend less than £200.

I wouldn't touch (new) previous gen cards now - not enough longevity for the outlay, imo.

 

Oh well then definitely get that 7950 for £215 delivered, or a 660ti

 

Just to muddy the waters a little, the non-Ti 660 also trades blows with the 7870 for similar money.

 

BOOM

pulled the trigger - went for 7950 @ £221 from scan