Which is the better card for £200?

IvanDobskey · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:38

Looking at replacing my GTX260 for something a bit beefier with Crysis 2 on the horizon. Looking at the GTX480 and the HD6950 mainly. Anyone got any opinions on the best card for me here?

JBod · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:48

Same boat... would be interested in the replies.

arc@css · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:53

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/293?vs=309

The 480 has the higher power draw, if that matters to you. The 6950 can be flashed to 6970 speeds.

IvanDobskey · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:55

Not sure i'd be flashing it after bricking my last ATI card (4870) changing the fan settings in bios. Have to say I am leaning more towards the 480 but the noise and heat levels are a little worrying to say the least.

arc@css · 13 Mar 2011 at 17:58

IvanDobskey said:
Not sure i'd be flashing it after bricking my last ATI card (4870) changing the fan settings in bios. Have to say I am leaning more towards the 480 but the noise and heat levels are a little worrying to say the least.

The success rate for flashing the 6950 is 99% +, and the chances of damaging it are zero since it has a bios switch.

IvanDobskey · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:00

I'd still be a bit twitchy with a £200 video card having bricked one before.

cjgardens · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:00

The 480 is a little better even with the ati card flashed

Also the 480 is not as loud as people say. Get which ever is cheaper

IvanDobskey · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:03

Thanks, this is what I was thinking. Will the 480 run crysis maxed out of interest?

Kanpai · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:08

IvanDobskey said:
Thanks, this is what I was thinking. Will the 480 run crysis maxed out of interest?

Yes it will, albeit you have a good CPU

arc@css · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:12

IvanDobskey said:
I'd still be a bit twitchy with a £200 video card having bricked one before.

That's fair enough.

The 480 is the better performer so if power usage is no concern, I'd go with that.

jigger · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:16

IvanDobskey said:
Thanks, this is what I was thinking. Will the 480 run crysis maxed out of interest?

Depends what you consider playable frame rates. IMO you wont be playing Crysis maxed out with a GTX480. You need a pair of HD5770 or over before you start to see playable frame rates.

tommybhoy · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:54

cjgardens said:
Also the 480 is not as loud as people say.

You forgot to add the default 'you just make an afterburner profile for it'

My mate's just got one and for the first time I've actually heard it first hand :eek:

.

He's moving to Glasgow airport to drown out the noise!

IvanDobskey · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:56

Thanks guys, think i'll go for the Asus GTX480 in a couple of weeks time.

titaniumx3 · 13 Mar 2011 at 18:57

I can run Crysis maxed out at 1080p on my 5870 with playable framerates (min 25fps) so I'm sure a 480 could max it out fairly easily.

Sure, you're not getting a constant 60fps but the Crysis engine copes well with low fps.

Gin0rm0 · 13 Mar 2011 at 19:06

I had the same dilemna but bought the 480 as it has better performance.

IvanDobskey · 13 Mar 2011 at 19:08

Will go with the 480, just waiting for my bonus at the end of the month (And crysis 2 release)

cjgardens · 13 Mar 2011 at 19:17

jigger said:
Depends what you consider playable frame rates. IMO you wont be playing Crysis maxed out with a GTX480. You need a pair of HD5770 or over before you start to see playable frame rates.

A pair of 5770 is probably about the same as a 480

IvanDobskey · 13 Mar 2011 at 19:40

Only have one PCIE slot, so Xfire / SLI are off the menu. Much prefer single GPU solutions anyway to be honest.

1kiwi · 13 Mar 2011 at 19:43

arc@css said:
That's fair enough.

The 480 is the better performer so if power usage is no concern, I'd go with that.

I play Crysis 2 on a GTX480 @ 1920 x 1200 on advanced and get avg 80fps. It's so smooth compared to my old 5970. It does run very hot though.

Cleeecooo · 13 Mar 2011 at 20:06

Im switching from my 6970 to a 480. Will let you know in around a week