graphics card upgrade for the son

[omle]

well eldest son needs a upgrade

he plays bf3 and has always had my hand me downs. he was due to take my old gtx 275 but thats had to go in the younger sons as his 8800gt finally died. have looked at second hand 295's but any way

he has a budget of £250.

ive looked at hd6950/70
570gtx 2.5 gb

i know all the new cards are comming out but i dont feel there h will be any value for money and he will always have a chance of crossfire or sli down the line.

which will be the better bang for his money hes swindled half off myself and he wont be getting a upgrade for 3 years from me.

ive ruled a 480 out as its hot noisey and from what ive seen not a lot better in performance and has less vram.

any help greatly welcome need to have him sorted for weekend.

thanks

 

[stulid]

What resolution does he use for his monitor, but initial thoughts are a GTX570 1.28GB as its faster than the 6950/70 until the resolution gets very high which most average monitors cant reach.

http://www.techspot.com/review/458-battlefield-3-performance/page3.html
http://www.guru3d.com/article/battlefield-3-vga-and-cpu-performance-benchmark-test/6

 

[lichfield]

560ti 448, they are going for 199.99 now,if you didnt want to spend the full 250 quid, or wait till the 7800 series are out? Two weeks I think.prices of the 6900 series might drop and they have more vram for future proofing if he will have it for a few years.

 

[Gregster]

+1 for the 570, or make him wait and see if prices for the 580 drop more.

 

[omle]

What resolution does he use for his monitor, but initial thoughts are a GTX570 1.28GB as its faster than the 6950/70 until the resolution gets very high which most average monitors cant reach.

http://www.techspot.com/review/458-battlefield-3-performance/page3.html
http://www.guru3d.com/article/battlefield-3-vga-and-cpu-performance-benchmark-test/6

hes on 1680 x 1050 but i dislike my 1080p monitor so will probably swap mine for his

i would make him wait but tonight my pc has become his and as old as i am i still like to play and with the current pricing scheme i cant see the 7800 series being gifts.

with the 570 being 2.5 im guessing no vram limitations.

thanks

 

[Stoner81]

Since the GTX480 is on offer this week and that he would be gaming at 1080p then I can't see why to rule it out to be honest.

Stoner81.

 

[omle]

Since the GTX480 is on offer this week and that he would be gaming at 1080p then I can't see why to rule it out to be honest.

Stoner81.

a 480 was on the list but the recent drops in prices and from what ive seen the 570 seems as good as and cooler/quieter unless i change the cooler. i dont think vram will ever get maxed unless he turns everything up i personally find the game plays better on low settings but i dont care how it looks its all on the feel of the game.

ive sent him googling now but have to get a card asap or hes going to be stuck watching.

 

[6644kp]

a 480 was on the list but the recent drops in prices and from what ive seen the 570 seems as good as and cooler/quieter unless i change the cooler. i dont think vram will ever get maxed unless he turns everything up i personally find the game plays better on low settings but i dont care how it looks its all on the feel of the game.

ive sent him googling now but have to get a card asap or hes going to be stuck watching.

no need to change the cooler just download msi afterburner and limit the fan speed, it will run hotter but thats ok.

 

[mattuk]

a 480 was on the list but the recent drops in prices and from what ive seen the 570 seems as good as and cooler/quieter unless i change the cooler. i dont think vram will ever get maxed unless he turns everything up i personally find the game plays better on low settings but i dont care how it looks its all on the feel of the game.

ive sent him googling now but have to get a card asap or hes going to be stuck watching.

I wouldn't go with a 480 imo. Loud, noisy and hot. Not to mention it uses a lot of power.

I would go with a http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-175-OK

 

[Rusty0611]

78** series or if you really can't wait until then a 570 or 6970. But it's a little daft to buy either of these cards at the mo with the 78** coming. Needs must though

 

[Titchy]

If you absolutely need it now then a 570 would be a good purchase.