Graphics Card Advice

[jackbauer123]

Hi all,

I built this machine about 18 months back based on advice on here and planned to add a graphics card in down the line. So far it has served me very well. However I think the time has come for me to finally add some graphics in but I could do with some advice on what card to go for if anyone can help.

Here's my current spec:

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - OEM
Asrock Z68 PRO3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (WD5000AAKX)
Antec High Current Gamer 620W Power Supply
Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9)
Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366)

I'm wanting it to be able to play games in as high quality as possible. I'm probably looking at spending around £150ish although I may be persuaded to go closer to £200 if it is really worth it. Is now even a good time to get a graphics card?

From what I remember there isn't a great deal of space between the cooler and the graphics card slot on this board so that will no doubt come into the equation.

Hopefully you can help me out. Cheers.

 

[mickyflinn]

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 7850 OC Windforce 2X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card w/ FARCRY3, Sleeping Dogs & Dirt Showdown PC Games £155.99
Total : £166.79 (includes shipping : £9.00).




Most of the graphics cards in your range will need 2 slots.

 

[jackbauer123]

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 7850 OC Windforce 2X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card w/ FARCRY3, Sleeping Dogs & Dirt Showdown PC Games £155.99
Total : £166.79 (includes shipping : £9.00).




Most of the graphics cards in your range will need 2 slots.

Cheers for the quick reply.

Would this card be able to handle newer games well enough or would I be letting myself down due to the fact that I only have the 1 slot?

 

[jackbauer123]

There is also the 7870 version of the above model for £209 here:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-099-GI&tool=3

Not sure if that would be compatible or worth the extra cost.

 

[~Dockie]

If you go for the 7870 above, id advise shopping around, a 7950 can be had for that price.

 

[mickyflinn]

Cheers for the quick reply.

Would this card be able to handle newer games well enough or would I be letting myself down due to the fact that I only have the 1 slot?

The 7850 is a good card but you need 2 slots, just to clarify the 1st slot will be the pci- express slot and the 2nd slot for the cooler.

If you dont have a the extra slot then you will be very limited in choice of graphics cards.

 

[OLDPHART]

Google is your friend.

 

[jackbauer123]

The 7850 is a good card but you need 2 slots, just to clarify the 1st slot will be the pci- express slot and the 2nd slot for the cooler.

If you dont have a the extra slot then you will be very limited in choice of graphics cards.

I think I am confusing myself here. When you say slots you mean space (ie: the popout sections on the back of the machine) as opposed to multiple pci-express slots or do you mean I would need multiple pci-express slots for that card and indeed any others in that price bracket?

 

[OvEr_KiLL]

he means that the card will go in 1 pci express slot and the size of the cooler will take up the next slot underneath it..whatever slot it is you wont be able to use it
hope that makes sense
edit. and yes it will take up 2 pop out sections on the back

 

[jackbauer123]

he means that the card will go in 1 pci express slot and the size of the cooler will take up the next slot underneath it..whatever slot it is you wont be able to use it
hope that makes sense
edit. and yes it will take up 2 pop out sections on the back

Ahh yes, that makes sense now. There is plenty of space below the pci express slot, just not much above it due to the cooler. I was worried that it was incompatible with the motherboard.

Is this likely to be the best deal for this kind of budget?

What about the Asus GeForce GTX 660 DirectCU II 2048MB GDDR5 as an alternative? Or indeed the OC version which comes in at £199.

 

[jackbauer123]

I always feel bad about replying to forum posts when I was the last person to reply but it would appear that the 7850 card has now returned to it's original price this morning.

I am now wondering if a GTX 660 (TI?) or a 7950 card be worth considering as an alternative. They are perhaps a bit more than I budgeted for initially but it would be worth considering if they are worth that extra cost. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Cheers.

 

[rolypolyman]

Easy, the 7950, if you shop around, is worth the money. The 660Ti, only if you must have Nvidia for whatever reason.

 

[jackbauer123]

Easy, the 7950, if you shop around, is worth the money. The 660Ti, only if you must have Nvidia for whatever reason.

Appreciate the response, I have no allegiance to any brand on this. Just want the best card for what I can afford.

I have done a bit of looking around and the 2 cards that keep appearing are the Gigabyte 7950 Windforce and the Sapphire 7950 Vapor-X which seem to be around the same sort of £230-240 price range.

There's also the offer on here for the HIS 7950 IceQ which is £240 also.

Any thoughts on pros/cons on those cards?

 

[OvEr_KiLL]

yeh the cooling on the his is suppose to be very good and it wont be as loud as other 2

 

[jackbauer123]

Much appreciated, it seems there is not too much difference between the 3 cards. There is a 2 year warranty on the HIS IceQ model though so it may well be that one I go for.