Best graphics card for around £200?

[J.D]

Google GTX 480 1200MHz - theres atleast half a dozen people who've hit those kinda speeds some of them with 2-4 card setups. I'm yet to find any one whos got a 69xx clock even benchmark stable at +70% let alone every day stable like some of these guys have managed - which tends to be a good sign for overclocking on these cards in more every day settings too.

While the sucess rate for 6950 unlocking is high (about 90% from other figures) and around 70-80% from my own experience I know of atleast 3 cards that have failed - 2 of which belong to people who post on these forums.

Rroff..... half a dozen, If the majority can't run 900Mhz then what use is that?. Lets stick to the stock cooler as that is what I'm using. Not really a good comparison as I've said to you maybe three times now.

I've seen people's cards failing due to not looking after their card appropriately. I've not seen people's cards fail that have tested and understood the limitations for the card though. People who run the 6970 BIOS are risking damaging their memory.

So no GTX 480s have failed?. That is impressive . I hope you are not assuming again?.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=1600&bih=1008&q=gtx+480+died&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

Not sure what cards you have seen fail, but I have not seen a single card fail to unlock and run at 70 speeds that was unlocked properly, shy of one or two on the memory speeds.

Unless it was some of those that put 70 BIOS' on them and killed them. Which they derserved, but not a fault of the card.

Yes, it seems the people who don't even own the card are the armchair experts in this thread. It's pretty ridiculous tbh.

 

[J.D]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18221110

Read through this thread and check the clocks people are getting. Yes some are on water but the majority of them are on air. It's only 7 pages and it start to paint the picture that you don't seem to be seeing. This continues on the Techpower page. I'm not saying all will reach 950/1450 or 950/1400 but the majority of them will.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I might actually start a thread asking others to post their clocks of their 6950 as this is getting tiresome. One card comes through that can't hit the 6970 clocks and now you throw doubt for the majority of cards TWfox?.

I'm sorry, is basic comprehension proving a tad troublesome? Throw doubt on the majority of cards? Here is what I said again, with the key bits highlighted in bold for you:

It seemed more likely than not that it would unlock and OC to 6970 speeds but there was still a chance it wouldnt.

Doesn't look like I've thrown doubt on the majority of cards to me?

When I've posted to you numerous times it makes me feel like you don't even listen to me

You don't appear to listen to others, either, as I've demonstrated above.

 

[bhavv]

By the way, it is possible to flash GTX 460s to GTX 560s, its been done on XS.

But as soon as you run anything in 3D mode, you get a screen full of artifacts

The extra shaders have been factory crippled on the GTX 460s.

 

[Rroff]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18221110

Read through this thread and check the clocks people are getting. Yes some are on water but the majority of them are on air. It's only 7 pages and it start to paint the picture that you don't seem to be seeing. This continues on the Techpower page. I'm not saying all will reach 950/1450 or 950/1400 but the majority of them will.

That thread pretty much proves my point - infact most people in that thread with flashed 6950s don't even seem to be hitting 940+MHz at a quick rough average they are managing 4%* over stock 6970 clocks which is barely 2% average gain in performance - whereas look at any 480 thread and most people are managing atleast 840MHz which is a 20% overclock and equates to around 14-15% actual average performance gain.

So if we now refer back to those benchmarks when it comes to actual performance unlocked and overclocked 6950 V overclocked GTX480 you have a higher chance of getting the best performance with a GTX480.


* From a wider scope of results the actual average is closer to 7% but that includes 6970 and unlocked 6950 results.

 

[J.D]

That thread pretty much proves my point - infact most people in that thread with flashed 6950s don't even seem to be hitting 940+MHz at a quick rough average they are managing 4%* over stock 6970 clocks which is barely 2% average gain in performance - whereas look at any 480 thread and most people are managing atleast 840MHz which is a 20% overclock and equates to around 14-15% actual average performance gain.

So if we now refer back to those benchmarks when it comes to actual performance unlocked and overclocked 6950 V overclocked GTX480 you have a higher chance of getting the best performance with a GTX480.


* From a wider scope of results the actual average is closer to 7% but that includes 6970 and unlocked 6950 results.

Nope, go read again. At the beginning all those clocks were with 1.1v. Rroff, seriously.... read the thread from about pages 3 onwards. Most people are not pushing and those that have are hitting 920-950Mhz for the majority. Go check Techpower and read the 75 pages.

It's hilarious. I even told you straight that if it was to do with the GTX 470 I wouldn't argue as you have experience with the card but here you are ignoring what I'm telling you with experience and most likely a lot more time invested in the card.

Rroff do you not understand that using the 6970 overclock gain is irrelevant as it's not the card being bought?. I've tried to tell you, you acknowledge it then you say it in every reply to me?. I'm getting tired of it tbh. If you include the 6970 overclocking gains one more time when I've explained to you in simple terms that it's not relevant, then I'm sticking you on ignore for being completely ignorant to not only me but to the OP also. Stop going back to that benchmark as your excuse and stop assuming. It's the 6950 overclocking gains that are important, not the 6970.

No overclock is guaranteed with either card is what we both need to remember. You feel that the EOL card that generates more heat and uses more power for roughly the same performance is the sure thing. I know you prefer Nvidia but you don't have to ignore these things completely.

Fact is, most will reach 6970 clocks and beyond at 1.175v. I'm just waiting for your reply to tell me what my card can or can't do on average. Yeah Rroff knows best .

 

[Rroff]

As I said... from a wider scrape of results unlocked 6950s and 6970s are hitting an average of ~7% clocks over the stock 6970... which strangely enough comes to 940-950MHz so what are you arguing about? it doesn't matter how far over stock 6950 clocks you are getting - when comparing to the performance of the GTX480 (which has been the whole point of my posts) once you start throwing unlocking and overclocking into the loop all that matters is the final performance - and once you unlock the 6950 you might as well take the 6970 results from a benchmark - see how far you can get past stock 6970 performance and put that up against the 480 results.

You seem to think just because I don't personally own a 6950 that I have no knowledge of the hardware - as I've mentioned before I get plenty of hands on with all the latest hardware.

 

[J.D]

As I said... from a wider scrape of results unlocked 6950s and 6970s are hitting an average of ~7% clocks over the stock 6970... which strangely enough comes to 940-950MHz so what are you arguing about? it doesn't matter how far over stock 6950 clocks you are getting - when comparing to the performance of the GTX480 (which has been the whole point of my posts) once you start throwing unlocking and overclocking into the loop all that matters is the final performance - and once you unlock the 6950 you might as well take the 6970 results from a benchmark - see how far you can get past stock 6970 performance and put that up against the 480 results.

You seem to think just because I don't personally own a 6950 that I have no knowledge of the hardware - as I've mentioned before I get plenty of hands on with all the latest hardware.

What is the card in question to be bought?. That would be the 6950. So it's only that overclock that it's important to the OP and your 7% doesn't add up in average clocks compared to the 6950 (18.8%) which is the card being considered. That's what I'm arguing about and it's so simple to see (clump of hair in hand) .

What would end this would be a 880Mhz GTX 480 vs a 950Mhz 6950 unlocked review as both of them would be hitting this core speed on average roughly?. I think the core can go higher with either card so this would just be for to set a scenario that both cards could reach. Not all 6950 can reach 950Mhz and not all GTX 480s can hit 880Mhz if you get my drift. I think a review of this would settle this. If it was a close battle then the points made about more heat, more power and being EOL would come back and need to be addressed by you.

I don't dispute that one of your friends might have one but who is to say you've overclocked it?. I also didn't say you have no knowledge but I'd think with the amount of time I've spent that I'd like to think I'm more invested in this card than you and you with your GTX 470s respectively.

I feel we're just going to have to drop this as we're going round in circles. I think both cards are powerhouses but I side with the 6950 for heat, power and the fact that the GTX 480 is EOL. If a review can be found which shows these overclocked cards at roughly what we've been discussing clockwise (950Mhz ATI - 880Mhz Nvidia) then if the GTX 480 was noticeably faster then I would apologise and advise the GTX 480. Until then I'm sticking to my guns with what I've done and what I've read .

 

[J.D]

I recommend the 6950 for roughly the SAME performance, less heat, power and that it's not EOL. Are these not factors when buying a card for some?.

It's because they are so close in performance that this is the reason I'm pointing out these things. If you want to just slander without reason then go for it. I'm here to discuss, not to deal with someone's pitiful attempt at an insult. If you've nothing beneficial to add to the thread then you're obviously trolling.

 

[Rroff]

I dunno whats so hard to understand... if the 6950 sucessfully (for sake of arguement) unlocks to a 6970 it makes sense to then use the 6970 as the baseline for comparisions.

 

[J.D]

I dunno whats so hard to understand... if the 6950 sucessfully (for sake of arguement) unlocks to a 6970 it makes sense to then use the 6970 as the baseline for comparisions.

That is hilarious. Let me explain.

It does not work for the 7% overclock potential though which you fail to grasp in over four posts now. One card starts at 800Mhz the card you keep going on about starts at 880Mhz and is £70 more expensive. BIIIIG difference, especially for overclock potential (18.75% worked it out wrong in last post).

You keep on comparing the overclock potential of a card that is at the GTX 570 price point.

 

[Rroff]

Sorry I should have said as a baseline for performance comparison.

 

[Fire Wizard]

Cut out the rubbish please guys. If anyone of you would like to enter the debate, then feel free to do so, but stop with the ridiculous "He's doing it on purpose, this is just how he is." and "I do not know why you bother with it, some people will not accept anything said against their chosen love child." type posts. It adds absolutely nothing to the discussion at hand.

 

[Stanners]

What and you think people ignoring what has been written and quoting/twisting it to suit their agenda is acceptable debate? Which can be seen on the previous page in Regards Fox's post where what he said was obviously misquoted to discredit what he was saying.

Anyway upwards on onwards

 

[J.D]

I'm sorry, is basic comprehension proving a tad troublesome? Throw doubt on the majority of cards? Here is what I said again, with the key bits highlighted in bold for you:

I misread your post and I will apologise for it right now. Sorry. I don't have a problem in realising when I've done something wrong .

Doesn't look like I've thrown doubt on the majority of cards to me?

As above, I misread your post.

You don't appear to listen to others, either, as I've demonstrated above.

There is a difference between not reading correctly and ignoring what's written.

What and you think people ignoring what has been written and quoting/twisting it to suit their agenda is acceptable debate? Which can be seen on the previous page in Regards Fox's post where what he said was obviously misquoted to discredit what he was saying.

Anyway upwards on onwards

This is the second insult. I misread [TW]Fox's post and have apologised for it. First it was the attempted insult and now you're saying

quoting/twisting it to suit their agenda

Could you please stop trolling me and trying to get personal. Agenda?. I think that is a bit paranoid.

Read this quote from me in this thread.

I'm actually thinking of getting a GTX 570 but not for the gaming aspect of it as it would be a pointless side grade, it's because I can only select 1600x1200 on my gaming CRT with ATI's driver. When testing a 9800GTX for someone 2 months ago I could select 1920x1440. So it's only for that and I'm disputing whether paying £60-80 is really worth it.

I only mentioned this to show I have no preference to what manufacturer I use in my rig. Both companies are great .

Again with the slander Stanners?. If you have something to debate then go for it, but why try to act like that over a discussion?.

 

[Stanners]

Slanders!! Bit dramatic(it should be libel as it was written ). I actually think the 6950 is the best buy at the minute. I am not trolling either, i followed the debate which i thought was going nice and well mannered untill i came to the point where you appeared to start twisting what people were saying to suit you. As you have clarified you misread/skimmed over what Fox wrote, then i fully acept that as i am guilty of that as are we all i think. Anyway i shall leave it there as it is nothing personal, it was just how i read it

 

[Mojo]

From looking at Anandtech's graphs http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/293?vs=309 the GTX480 appears to average 5-10% faster. I assume that when both overclocked (or unlocked in the 6950's case) the performance difference will still be similar, as both cards overclock well.

I think it's safe to say that the GTX480 is faster, louder, hotter and draws a hell of a lot more power than the 6950. Personally, I'd go 6950 simply because of stellar Crossfire performance on the 6 series and the inability of my board to do SLI. However, if I was only ever going single card, I'm not to fussy when it comes to heat and power consumption, so I would most likely get a GTX480.

 

[Stanners]

From looking at Anandtech's graphs http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/293?vs=309 the GTX480 appears to average 5-10% faster. I assume that when both overclocked (or unlocked in the 6950's case) the performance difference will still be similar, as both cards overclock well.

I think it's safe to say that the GTX480 is faster, louder, hotter and draws a hell of a lot more power than the 6950. Personally, I'd go 6950 simply because of stellar Crossfire performance on the 6 series and the inability of my board to do SLI. However, if I was only ever going single card, I'm not to fussy when it comes to heat and power consumption, so I would most likely get a GTX480.

For me i would go down the 6950 route purely for the noise issue i think, I can live with the +- 10% performance, but as i get older noise seems to be playing a larger factor in my choices.

 

[Rroff]

Yeah whatever way you throw it the performance difference is gonna be inside 10%.

 

[Fire Wizard]

What and you think people ignoring what has been written and quoting/twisting it to suit their agenda is acceptable debate? Which can be seen on the previous page in Regards Fox's post where what he said was obviously misquoted to discredit what he was saying.

The main issue here is the manner in which people are posting in. Whether or not you agree with what they have actually said, or even if they have maybe misled people, is kind of irrelevant from my perspective. You can always enter the discussion yourself and stating why, what someone has said, is incorrect. If you truly think it's bordering on trolling, feel free to report the post.

Even if what some has said is quite obviously incorrect, assuming they have written it in a polite and reasonable manner, then that's absolutely fine. It could simply be the case where they have interpreted things incorrectly. However, if it is met with a response along the lines off; "WTF!!!!!!!! That's complete and utter rubbish", or, "(Insert user-name here) is nothing but a fanboy", and responses of that type of nature, I would be inclined to remove. It doesn't matter whether the posts are "technically" correct or not, those types of posts just leads to people responding in a similar manner, which isn't helpful.

I hope you can understand where I am comming from here.