Upgrade & KFA2 advice

[bindip1]

Hey chaps.
I’m looking to upgrade – I have been out of the graphics card side of tech for a long while so apologise for any “noobie” questions. I am upgrading from my 4890, I run on a resolution of 1980 x 1080.

A few things to ask before I take a trip to OCUK tomorrow:

1. What card should I get for a budget of £350, I don’t care if it’s team green or team red, just looking for the best bang for buck card.

2. What are KFA2 like as company? Warranty ? etc…..I can’t seem to remember them back when I used to keep up with all the tech, there cards do seem like fantastic value on the 670, just a bit unsure on the reputation.

3. My friend has offered me his msi 6950, but from what I’ve quickly read on the 670 and other cards, that seems like the way to go. Should I Just take my mates 6950 or go for something with a bit more grunt. Is there a big performance gap between the 6950 and 670 ?

Main games I am looking to play are BF3, Dirt3 and Skyrim with my new card.

Cheers

bindip

 

[bJN]

How much is your mate offering you the 6950 for? Generally second hand I'd expect them to be around the £100 mark, and a brand new 670 is £300 upwards, but it does bring with it a lot more performance - anywhere from 50-100%+ as it's a much newer card.

Several benchmarks in the games you've suggested show the 670 as double the performance in BF3 and DiRT3, and probably 60% increase in Skyrim. BF3 will max out and sit about 60fps with that 670 to give you a rough idea.

The 6950 is still a very capable card, but it depends on whether you think the extra performance justifies the hike in cost.

 

[bindip1]

He's offered me £170, but I think I'm just going to get a 670, running BF3 and other games with all the bells and whistles will be worth the extra cash.

Just not to sure on which 670 to get now, really tempted by the KFA2 but I've really not heard much about them.

 

[shawsy109]

£170 is to much for a 6950, I mean I got one for £130 just a few weeks ago.They are good cards but not at that price for 2nd hand to. if you can afford it mate 670 is a fine card.

 

[bindip1]

£170 is to much for a 6950, I mean I got one for £130 just a few weeks ago.They are good cards but not at that price for 2nd hand to. if you can afford it mate 670 is a fine card.

Agreed, I've got enough for a 670, just pondering over which one, the Gigabyte caught my eye, but it's a tad more pricey. KFA2 don't seem like a bad company at all from the reviews I've read so far.

 

[Surveyor]

A few things to ask before I take a trip to OCUK tomorrow:

My advice is that whatever you buy have it delivered.

You get free delivery so it won't cost you any extra.

If you buy in store and then change your mind for whatever reason you're stuck unless the item is unopened and unused.

If you have it delivered you have the DSR and the OcUK 14 day satisfaction guarantee to fall back on.

I only live 10 minutes from OcUK but if I'm making larger purchases, or purchasing something I'm not sure about, I use the free delivery option for this reason.

 

[Twirlywoos]

your mate is ripping you of, you can get a 7850 for near enough £170. I've seen the Windforce GTX670 go as little as £310 so maybe worthwhile getting that card if you shop around.

 

[bindip1]

My advice is that whatever you buy have it delivered.

Got it delivered, couldn't make the trip up to OC. Went for the KFA2 in the end, spoke to a few other forum members who have highly recommenced it. UK RMA and the same guys that ran BFG sounds good to me!

Ordered it this morning so hopefully it should get here on Monday, should I get a driver cleaner to wipe my ATI stuff clean? Or will a simple un install do the trick ?

Thanks for all your help guys

 

[shawsy109]

KFA card is a great looking card, If i was in the market for a new gpu it would be between the KFA and Giga windforce for sure. You made a good choice.

 

[bakes0310]

You cant go wrong with a 670, stonking good cards and descent cost aswell. KFA2 are very good, that i went for 2

 

[bindip1]

You cant go wrong with a 670, stonking good cards and descent cost aswell. KFA2 are very good, that i went for 2

Epic Mine has just shipped, it says estimated due date for Monday, but I thought the couriers don't work on the weekend ?

What's it like in terms of temps ? Recommend any good Nvidia driver's or will the latest ones do?