Maximum PC

Hello. I'm looking to replace the 9800 GTX+ card in my system. It's been five years, still runs great (PC graphics haven't jumped too much over the last five years, sadly), and gets a 7.0 on Windows 7 gaming graphics subscore, but I'm looking for something that can run even better. I'm open to either ATI or NVIDIA, but have always opted NVIDIA in the past.

My uses are primarily video gaming, but also include video rendering (which can use CUDA).

I've been eyeing two cards: XFX Radeon HD 7850 & GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 660
Also something to consider about these two cards is the current promotion. The 7850 includes a "Free Bioshock&Tomb Raider game coupon w/ purchase, limited offer" whereas the 660 has a "Get $150 value in-game coupon w/ purchase, limited offer" for "Hawken, World of Tanks, and PlanetSide 2"— $50 in each.
For me, I'd rather get the Bioshock & Tomb Raider (a $100-$120 value) since I don't play any of the three games listed under 660's promotion.

Regardless, I have some concerns. I've researched and I continue to read that the 660 outperforms (I will not be overclocking) the 7850. Also I've read about black screens, and such, that the 7850 have when playing games. Video conversion is a slight factor. The 660 is $209.99 w/rebate whereas the 7850 is $184.99 w/rebate; a good bit of difference.

Any suggestions or opinions here? If there is a new product coming soon, waiting for a price drop is considerable.


Thanks!

Currently have:
AMD FX 4170 Q@ 4.20 GHz
XFX 9800 GTX+ Black Edition
8GB Ram
550W PSU

Graphics haven't jumped in 5 years? How big of a screen do you use? My GTX 260 struggles to play borderlands2 on a 27". The GTS250 (9800GTX+ with another name) won't even cut it.

I'd feel pretty good about recommending a 660 (non-Ti) on hardware alone, but probably an MSI or eVGA. This is only because I haven't tried a single Gigabyte video card in my life...ignorant so I simply can't recommend something I've never used.

But if you plan on purchasing those games that come bundled with the AMD anyway, then it really makes the price look better. I know I'm going to play Bioshock, so that's $60 of for me right there. I've never been into Tomb Raider, but I'm told this is going to be a worthy game that may make me pick it up. I hate rebates, so games I'll actually play are a huge plus IMO. The $150 crap with nVidia is kinda odd. I've got a stack of $25 and $50 Hawken cards now, and two planetside2 and world of tanks cards. I just never understood free-to-play games because I have to actually spend money on weapons. Sounds like Farmville to me. PlanetSide2 was fun, but spending real money in a game just feels odd.

I have no problems recommending an AMD 78xx card. I haven't had a problem with AMD since the warm little 4850 and only had one driver hiccup (might be the blackscreens you've read about, but I don't see this with 13.1). I know you say it's a good bit of difference, but it's really just $25 for a card you'll likely have for years. Go with the 660.

You're better off with a 7870 over the 660.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gam ... 107-7.html

take your pick.... i prefer evga.

7870 LE or XT. both are good for your price range and when over clocked, can match and beat the 660 ti and almost par with the 7950

7870 LE MYST Edition vs the 7870 GHz Edition and 660 TI

Look at the Apples to Apples comparison. On par witht the 660 TI and beats it when overclocked-everything maxed out.

I probably over exaggerated a little bit; the whole consoles bottlenecking PC graphics debate. Running dual monitors on the 9800GTX+ with the main at 1680x1050 22" gets BL2 ≈30FPS on high settings. Same can't be said of all other games though.

It probably is worth it to go with ATI if those games are bundled, and that could justify the price jump to a 7870. Would something like this be good? My current card, an XFX is great, and they offer a lifetime warranty grants me bias towards it. The NVIDIA equivalent, 660 Ti, is priced around $280-$310 and is out of my price range.

Odd, it looks like a lot of discontinued 7870 ATI cards used to sell a little bit cheaper months back.

Go with the 7870 MYST over the GHz version.

Looks awesome! Thanks for the recommend. Gonna grab this one. The game bundles makes it a deal for me in any case.