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Graphics Card for this build?

Jhaemes

Jhaemes

Jhaemes

Associate
Joined
3 Dec 2011
Posts
399
After some saving, budgeting and swapping bits out I've pretty much finalised my build now. May even be ordering bits and bobs tomorrow.

CPU: i3 2100
Mobo: Gigabytye GA-Z68P-DS3
PSU: 700w ModXStream Pro by OCZ
Case: Coolermaster 430 or Zalman, depends on budget and stock
RAM: One stick of 4GB, upgrade to 8GB if needed.


Also going to be adding a new 500 GB hard drive and doing a fresh install of Windows 7, then connecting the old 160 GB and 40 GB hard drives as extra storage.


You'll have noticed I haven't got a graphics card planned yet. I honestly don't know how much much I've got left for the graphics card until I order, so I can't give an exact budget yet. I'd guess £120 maximum. I'll likely know the exact amount tomorrow.

I don't know about resolution yet, since I'll be re-using the monitor from our previous desktop. I'd guess it's native res isn't much bigger than 1400 pixels though. I would eventually upgrade the monitor, but for now I just want to start gaming.

Ideally I'll want to play Skyrim, maybe BF3 and MW3 and a fair few recent games.
 
6850 is probably the best card you can get in that budget. Another £15 will see you heading into the 6870 region, and after that you're looking at a 560Ti. I haven't seen a 560 for less than the 6870, which is faster (being closer to the 560Ti), which is why I've ignored it.

New cards are due from ATI across the range over the next few months (with the high end due out in a week), so prices and cards may change in the near future, although as the 7950 etc have been delayed til February at the earliest, I'm getting tempted just to grab a 6870 myself!
 
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Thanks for the replies folks.

As for brand preference, I'm not fussed as long as it does the job.

I just wish I'd have been a few days earlier with the money, could've had a little discount and free shipping. Still a cracking deal though.

Whilst I'm considering ordering, are there any extra cables I might need for the rig? In total I'll have three hard drives, so I'd guess a few extra hard drive leads?
 
You will usually get 1-2 Sata cables with a motherboard so if you don't have spares I would grab a couple extra! Be aware a lot of modern boards have limited or no IDE connectors if those are older hdds.
 
The two most important ones (500 gb and 160 gb) are definitely SATA, not sure about the 40gb one though.

Is there any way to find out how many cables the mobo will come with?

I'd guess 45cm cables would be more than enough, but maybe a little too long? I'll probably be alright with the one we already have from the old pc and then whatever comes with the mobo.
 
Sometimes the manufacturer's site will say.
I would go for 45cm cables over a shorter one. Gives you enough cable to route away behind the cable management areas, whereas too short can be a real pain.
 
I would go with the 460's but I prefer nVidia over ATi. New cards are duo out from both sides fairly soon so it might be worth holding off buying for a few weeks and see if there are any price drops.

Stoner81.
 
I've seen Gainward £126 GTX 560's elsewhere on another etailer.

As far as I'm aware though they're like a slightly more refined and faster version of a GTX 460 1GB.
 
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