graphic card advice for my new build

[Baron C]

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.

 

[Baron C]

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.

yeah, I agree with your reasoning.

reviews are positive for the Asus dcu II 670. Price range is about right.
Any recommendations ?

 

[Baron C]

Thankyou for the help guys

 

[Baron C]

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.

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?

 

[Baron C]

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

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]

I have just a minute ago pulled the trigger and ordered the windforce myself,roll on tomorrow.

Congrats
Make sure you let me know how it runs roddypoddy

 

[Baron C]

you should fallow the example,mate.

I will, once I can sit down tbh
Real life kicking my head in :-/

 

[Baron C]

Nice case choice.

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.

 

[Baron C]

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?