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graphic card advice for my new build

Baron C

Baron C

Baron C

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Joined
10 Jul 2012
Posts
1,496
Location
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8GB 1600MHz
Core i5-3570K
Noctua nh-14
Crucial M4 128ggb ssd
Silverstone SST-FT02B-W USB 3.0
Corsair CMPSU-750AXUK Professional Series Gold 750W psu

Screen ; 1920 x 1200 (native res) 26inch


Hi all, (big energetic overeager wave)

I have posted a few times already. I have read forums for info. But im feeling confused to be honest.

Basically I am looking for a new video card to complement my system. I tried out a vtx3d 7850 (it was a dud reference card) feel it was driver issues.

My previous system was a core2 e8400 CPU with a 8800gt. lasted till just recently.
The above rig is mainly all purpose productivity and gaming new build. I'm thinking its a solid mid range build (self-built). Good air cooling and good temps.

My gaming consists of Eve-online (8 year vet) and assorted games. E.g Witcher 2 AAA titles, looking forward to Dishonoured .

I imagine i will overclock later in the life of system.no overclocking at all currently.

Crossfire is an eventual possibility, although not been sold on idea of it so far.

Budget; say £300, although that is a lot for a card, and it needs honest justfication.

What do you guys suggest, your input would be appreciated.

Stick with 7850 or push up a tier or two or grab an NVIDIA 6xx ?

Cheers in advance.
 
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mate i wish to have problem like you,if you got 300£ get gtx670,I know is expensive but is better in my opinion than hd7850 crossfire,you could grab one yesterday for 283 but the deal is over now.
i got similar spec to yours in my pc,my heatsink macho hr-02 and smaller psu 600w(don't plan to usen sli)
if you got cash always go for one best gpu you can afford.
 
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jimhaumman said:
mate i wish to have problem like you,if you got 300£ get gtx670,I know is expensive but is better in my opinion than hd7850 sli,you could grab one yesterday for 283 but the deal is over now.
i got similar spec to yours in my pc,my heatsink macho hr-02 and smaller psu 600w(don't plan to usen sli)
if you got cash always go for one best gpu you can afford.
Click to expand...

yeah, I agree with your reasoning.

reviews are positive for the Asus dcu II 670. Price range is about right.
Any recommendations ?
 
7850 crossfire is faster than a 670, but that would be over budget and overkill for his resolution really. At his price point he should be looking at getting a decent 670 (hopefully when a good one comes on special offer), or perhaps a 7950 (only if he is willing to overclock heavily), or if he is not too bothered about noise he could get a reference 7970 now for £300.
 
psychodil said:
7850 crossfire is faster than a 670, but that would be over budget and overkill for his resolution really. At his price point he should be looking at getting a decent 670 (hopefully when a good one comes on special offer), or perhaps a 7950 (only if he is willing to overclock heavily), or if he is not too bothered about noise he could get a reference 7970 now for £300.
Click to expand...
I have considered 7950/7970, I think my concerns are;

1) heavy overclocking is a slight concern (probably due to my recent experience with 7850 , and im noob at overclocking.
2) heavy clock is to an extent kinda luck of the draw, as to card abilities ?

3) can I assume my case can keep it cool enough? ( I read case is good for this)

4)it does seem that price/performance AMD are keen?
 
The mid range market isn't that competitive in my opinion at the moment, the 7850 seems to be the best bang for buck under £200 quid but if you have the money and want something that will last a 670 is a great card, lot cheaper than the 680 and not that much slower.

OCUK have an MSI on this week only here for £288 which seems a good price.

The 660 is due out middle of August so not sure if that will affect the prices of the 670...
 
Rusty0611 said:
7850 SLI? You mean Crossfire? And no, a 670 isn't better.

*edited post to clarify that 670 isn't faster
Click to expand...

what i meant was that gtx670 is better solution in his case,single card,less power consumption,less hassle(people got more problems runing SLI/CROSSFIRE than single gpu)smaller temps inside case,quetier system,less power used for running fans on lower revs.
Yes hd7850 crossfire is faster than single gtx 670,but I meant overall
 
jimhaumman said:
what i meant was that gtx670 is better solution in his case,single card,less power consumption,less hassle(people got more problems runing SLI/CROSSFIRE than single gpu)smaller temps inside case,quetier system,less power used for running fans on lower revs.
Yes hd7850 crossfire is faster than single gtx 670,but I meant overall
Click to expand...

I understood what you meant :-)

As I stated in beginning crossfire/Sli doesn't appeal, and as you stated the solution was for a good single card solution.

I'm mulling over the gigbyte windforce or the evga FTW .
I think the windforce is edging ahead the more I read about it.
 
Baron C said:
I understood what you meant :-)

As I stated in beginning crossfire/Sli doesn't appeal, and as you stated the solution was for a good single card solution.

I'm mulling over the gigbyte windforce or the evga FTW .
I think the windforce is edging ahead the more I read about it.
Click to expand...

I have just a minute ago pulled the trigger and ordered the windforce myself,roll on tomorrow.:D
 
OptimaLnrg said:
Nice case choice.
Click to expand...

Im really impressed with the case, near perfect.
Feels solid as f##k!
Considering the 3fans pushing air at base, keeps things nice and cool. I will say an after market fan controller is worth considering. Good positive airflow.
Also as a bonus I use the air from above case to cool myself too.

The sound insulation is very good, barely hear a thing.

I don't imagine needing another case for a very long time.

I never personally liked 'gaming' cases hence the choice, its a subtle full tower ( if that makes sense?)

My only slight criticism would be that you need to 'think' about your cable management. Nothing horrendous as it has plenty of loops and holes to feed and tie cables. Mainly the rear side behind the motherboard would with an extra 0.5cm allowed a tidier job. Psu cables are thick, I might look for slimmer cables for my psu. Again nothing major just being OCD.
;-)
 
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video card for Silverstone fortress FT02

Hi again

Erm...still confused..there was a nagging feeling why I wasn't pulling trigger on a card and it finally came to the fore.

Mainly regarding graphic card orientation. Let me explain

My case has a 90' rotation on the Mobo. so the I/O are located at top of case.

That means that an installed graphic card will be in a vertical position and not the typical horizontal/paralel to the floor type way.

Case manufacturers recommend blower rear exhaust type cards as they expel heat out of the case, whilst a fan type card expels into the case.
My research uptill now indicates that the main culprit is where the 'U' bend is on the heatsink.

If you imagine that 3x case fans are pushing air vertically thru the case, the 'u' bend of the heatsink needs to be at the bottom of card to recieve cooling, not near the exhaust at the top. Reason being that there is evidence of heat built up from the heatpipes not cooling/condensing correctly. (I think I have that right?)

I have read differing opinions on this issue on different forums and it has left me none wiser.

That being the situation, should i stick to reference designs ?

Does anyone have an ft02 case..if so what card type are you using?
 
do not worry about that mate, the fans on the gpu will keep the card cool and any air expelled by the card will be blown out the case. if you get a reference cooler it will be noiser hotter and wont look as nice
 
I have the same case and have tried a lot of the top end custom cooler cards and the case runs them cooler than a lot of traditional style cases and that's with the fans on low, don't worry about, not sure what Silverstone are on about really?
 
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