What GPU shall I spend some of my redundancy on?

elliottmarter · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:04

So the shop I work at is being closed in a couple of months and I'll be getting some redundancy money, not masses, but enough to put part of it towards a nice GPU as a me-present. Looking to collect some views on what GPU you would get if you could have any one at all (and most importantly why). currently looking at either a 680 or possibly even a 690, but spending £800 on a GPU doesnt feel right. is the 690 really worth the price tag? Will it mean I wont need an upgrade for like 5 or 6 years?

Subliminal Aura · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:08

5 years on a GPU can't really be done..... It's just about possible on a CPU but not on a GPU

Save your money and upgrade every 2 years that'll be a much better use of your cash

elliottmarter · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:10

so would your recommendation be a 680? as there'll be something new along in a couple of years

HankScorpio · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:12

Get two of these

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-276-AS

Compare the results with a £600 4GB 680

KelDG · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:12

Subliminal Aura said:
5 years on a GPU can't really be done..... It's just about possible on a CPU but not on a GPU

Save your money and upgrade every 2 years that'll be a much better use of your cash

I second this, spend £400 now and bank the other for 2/3 years time. Spending £400 on a card in 2014 or 2015 will definitely give you more advantage than the extra £400 now.

Subliminal Aura · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:13

elliottmarter said:
so would your recommendation be a 680? as there'll be something new along in a couple of years

I was thinking 670 tbh or around the £300 mark max.

Thought of playing with SLI by picking up a cheap 2nd hand 560 ? Plenty of options in there when you've got time on your hands

BoonMonkey · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:14

The 690 isn't value for money. If you want something like that then 2 680s is fine, but just one will do the trick.

elliottmarter · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:16

HankScorpio said:
Get two of these

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-276-AS

Compare the results with a £600 4GB 680

I havent really got space for two GPUs, was focusing on nVidia anyway, for no real reason tbh, just to make the choice a little less daunting

elliottmarter · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:18

KelDG said:
I second this, spend £400 now and bank the other for 2/3 years time. Spending £400 on a card in 2014 or 2015 will definitely give you more advantage than the extra £400 now.

I like the sound of this strategy the most, I think SLI is out for the question as I would like to sell my 560 and get a bit of money back for it...its only like a few months old!

bemaniac · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:31

Oh hell I know for a fact if I was made redundant today I'd order 2 gtx690s and overclock the hell out of them. I just think they're damn sexy cards and just want them but I'll never ever have them. Treat yourself!

Subliminal Aura · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:33

bemaniac said:
Oh hell I know for a fact if I was made redundant today I'd order 2 gtx690s and overclock the hell out of them. I just think they're damn sexy cards and just want them but I'll never ever have them. Treat yourself!

.... and starve yourself whilst you wait for your Job Seekers to be paid ?

Just be sensible OP. £800 is not a lot of money

elliottmarter · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:41

Well, while I could afford two 690's if I really wanted to I cannot justify £1600 on GPUs alone, that's ridiculous. I think I am going to go for a nice 680 can anyone recommend me a good brand/model?

arc@css · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:44

Gigabyte Windforce.

Rusty0611 · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:47

If you have no intention of going SLI in the future buy a Gigabyte Windforce. I ask about SLI because they blow hot air over each other in SLI so an exhaust card is recommended for SLI unless you have decent case airflow.

Subliminal Aura · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:47

arc@css said:
Gigabyte Windforce.

Nice price, nice warranty

shadow_boxer · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:49

Gigabyte Windforce GTX670.

elliottmarter · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:50

you talking about this Gigabyte Windforce I take it?

EDIT: so why are people more keen on the 670 windforce than the 680 windforce?

Rusty0611 · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:50

elliottmarter said:
you talking about this Gigabyte Windforce I take it?

Yup.

Subliminal Aura · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:51

shadow_boxer said:
Gigabyte Windforce GTX670.

Yep that would be my choice if I were buying but the OP *wants* to blow more money up in the air

straxusii · 27 Jun 2012 at 16:52

If you're looking for this to last years I'd go for a 7970 over a 680, I suspect the 2GB vram will start to bite in that time. Must be a non ref cooled one though, stock 7970 are too loud IMHO

And yes bank £300 for another upgrade in 3 years time.