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GFX - Nvidia, AMD, I am total confused

Palleon

Palleon

Palleon

Associate
Joined
27 May 2008
Posts
42
I know this is really for those with the elite hardware skillset, so sorry for being a complete newbie (which I wasnt a few years ago but things change!) - but I am trying to upgrade from my 9800GT, and have got myself completely confused.

I dont have much cash, looking at about £80, or £100 on amazon (I have vouchers from xmas!).

I have always been an Nvidia user, but was looking at the HD 6770, which (according to a comparison site) is almost double my current 9800GT in score. That is only about 80 quid. Then I read something that said the 6xxx cards are just rebranded 5xxx cards - and the 5830 is only £80 too, and should (I'm guessing) be better than the 6770. Then someone on a forum said the 5xxx were terrible for power drain, and should be avoided. The 6850 is only £110, and on benchmark sites its almost triple the score of my 9800GT.

But then I found the GTX460, which is of comparable price, but gives a lower score than the 6850 - but then another site said the 460 was better overall due to power and "tesselation" (whatever that is).

Now, I have no idea anymore. I just want a card, for around £100 on Amazon or £80 on OC, that will allow me to play my games with better graphics than the 9800GT!

I guess what I need is a decent benchmark score chart showing the 9800gt, the 460, the 5850, the 6770, the 6850 etc on next to each other! Does such a chart exist? If so, I cant find it!

Help!
 
What is your PSU?? The HD6850 1GB will be better with a lower wattage PSU. If you have a decent PSU then both the HD6850 1GB and GTX460 1GB have similar performance.
 
I have an E8400 3.3ghz (OC'd slightly), 4gig Ram, 550w PSU, IP35 Pro Mobo.

(PSU Make is: CIT 550W Gold 12Cm Silent Atx Power Supply)
 
Last edited:
Its not so much the wattage on the label, its more to do with the PSU not being able to deliver on this promise and also keeping the voltages safely within check and at the correct values without going "out of the ATX spec"

Its worth looking at these for an idea about cheaper PSU's,

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=123
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=154
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html


What is your budget for a PSU?
 
stulid said:
Its not so much the wattage on the label, its more to do with the PSU not being able to deliver on this promise and also keeping the voltages safely within check and at the correct values without going "out of the ATX spec"

Its worth looking at these for an idea about cheaper PSU's,

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=123
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=154
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html


What is your budget for a PSU?
Click to expand...

I dont have a budget, I didnt know until this moment that I would need one :) My overall budget is the same (around £100) so the PSU cost would have to come out of that :(
 
I'd look to upgrading that PSU before splashing out on a new card. After a small look around, it looks to provide around 26 amps overall on the 12v rails (Which power the Processor & Graphics card), and most places recommend 30+ for a system with a 6850, and 35+ for a system with a gtx460. A cheapy (£20!) PSU is just asking for trouble.

*edit* damn, beaten to it!
 
Its not so much the Wattage of a PSU as much as having a good branded one that you can trust and provides a good stable flow of power down all its lanes.

A 550W PSU from a decent company such as BeQuiet, Antec, Coolermaster, etc could be enough, its more the fact that an unbranded or lets say casecom PSU rated at the same Wattage is not likely to be sufficient and have a higher chance of if it dies taking the rest of your components with it.
 
Ah I see. Ok, well thank you all for the advice. I think I will have to save for another few months then and replace the PSU first :(

Still, maybe by then the GFX prices will be lower :)

Thanks again everyone.
 
I have that Asus card.
Its good, never let me down yet, I have mildly played BF3 with settings on high and it coped reasonably well at 1080p but I will be upgrading again soon onto maybe a 6950/70.

I have an antec true power 650w psu though
 
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