Budget graphics cards?

[Jhaemes]

Another question, just trying to cover all bases for my system.

I know graphics cards are the integral part of a gaming rig and I do kind of have a superb one lined up. It's a GTX 580 from a friend, however if that falls through what can I do on a budget?

As far as I can see, some of the motherboards mention integrated graphics (obviously not a replacement for a good gpu, but it'll mean I just have to save up for my rig minus the gpu, leaving me with a rig built and just awaiting a gpu). Now, that gives me some headroom to save up. Now, I do know I can't skimp on a gpu but at the same time I'm not looking for a £400 up monster.

Would it be worth sli/ crossfiring two cheaper gpu's? Or maybe there's a good one in the £150 range?

 

[j.col]

what are your system specs?
you want want to create a bootleneck

edit.
ignore, just seen you haven't built it yet.
a Hd6870 is a decent card for the money or a gtx560ti

 

[Jhaemes]

Thanks for the suggestions, checking them out now.

I'm seeing a fair few graphics cards whilst looking at the hd 6870, any model in particular that sticks out in performance?

 

[Kosmiche]

I can reccomend : http://xfxforce.com/en-gb/Products/Graphics-Cards/ATI/AMD-Radeon-HD-6000/AMD-Radeon-HD-6870.aspx

HD-687A-ZHFC

Just received one of these, it overclocks like a madman. Using the stock cooler and reached 1200 mhz on the memory. Although the cooler is a loud one, if you're putting it into a case with not many fans you will notice it, if your case has lots of fans you could probably put up with it.

At 40% fan speed it's pretty quiet and lots of case fans will keep it cool enough without needing to spin up in games.

 

[shanestatham]

6870 is a great card, will play everything you throw at it on mostly high settings, some games ultra.

Once save enough sell it

 

[Jhaemes]

Thanks for the suggestions, definitely looking at the 6870 right now.

Would a pair of Nvidia GeForce GTS 450 be better or worse? Maybe a single Nvidia GeForce GTX 460, should be around the £130 mark for that or around £160 for the dual GTS 450's.

Edit: Also looking at the EVGA GeForce GTX 460 superclocked and the 550 TI superclocked. Also, looking at this http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skyrim-performance-benchmark,3074-5.html

any suggestions?

 

[Kosmiche]

Update about my xfx 6870...

I've made a fan profile for it in msi afterburner, now the fan is silent in windows and ramps up in games, then turns back to silent again when I quit the game. Automatically.

Saves buying a new cooler for it, I don't care about fan noise during gaming as I can't hear it over my headphones.

Very happy!