Which Graphic card should I get?

[MariosX]

Hello!

I'm really thinking about upgrading my graphics card

Budget Range: 200-400? [500 if it's really worth it]

I'm gonna use it mainly for gaming, what else?

I would like to run latest games on 1920*1080 resolution with max graphics

My system specs are these:

PSU: Coolermaster M850

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 @ 4.0 GHZ

M/B: MSI X58A-GD65

Memory: 3x2GB OCZ Intel Core i7 Edition (8-8-8-24) XMP Profile 1 @ 1600 Mhz

VGA: Sapphire HD4870 1GB

HDD: 80 Intel Postville SSD, 2x1TB Sata 2 WDD Caviar Black [Raid 0], 1x2TB Sata 3 WDD Caviar Black, 1x640GB Sata 3 Caviar Black [Gaming]

Case: Coolermaster COSMOS RC1000

Cooling: CPU Cooler: Coolermaster V8, Default air cooling

I heard Radeon 7000 series would be nice but I'm unsure.

By the way, should I switch to nvidia for PsysX support?

[Jub]

You'll pretty much never notice any advantage by running PhysX, so to speak. Go for a 7950, or 7970 if you can afford it. Mine has been nothing short of amazing the month I've had it. Low power consumption, low heat, unmatched performance and great over locking potential... Can't go wrong.

[HyBry]

Isn't Nvidia new GPUs supposed to come out in next couple of months?

But if you can't be bothered then AMD HD79XX is the way to go.

[MariosX]

More questions:

1) I noticed the 7XXX series have 3GB memory, will I need more RAM?

I remember one teacher of mine told me sometime, years ago, that VGA Cards allocate the same amount of your RAMs for example, in my case I've got 6GB RAM if I install a 7970 card it will allocate 3GB of my RAM so my remaining RAM will be 3GB for OS, games apps etc.

I never believed him neither now but I have never asked about it if it is true or not

2) Most cards have displayport can I switch them into hdmi with adapters?

[yxz]

Which Graphic card should I get?

radeon 7950

By the way, should I switch to nvidia for PsysX support?

gpu-accelerated physx games:

Alice: Madness Returns

Batman: Arkham City

Dark Void

Darkest of Days

Mafia II

Metro 2033

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel

Sacred 2: Ice & Blood (expansion)

Star Trek DAC

Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Mirror's Edge

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2

Unreal Tournament 3

Warmonger: Operation Downtown Destruction

edit:

I noticed the 7XXX series have 3GB memory, will I need more RAM?

no (64-bit OS is a must)

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Radeon 7970 or at the very least 7950

[MariosX]

no (64-bit OS is a must)

I already have 64 bit, so what my teacher said back then is false?

Radeon 7970 or at the very least 7950

I haven't noticed, are they available for purchase?

Also which brand should I choose when they are fully out

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Yes both of them are availabe and 7950 is a great card.

Whatever brand is cheaper. It doesn't really matter. Unless, of course, its a limited edition card or something, any brand will do

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

More questions:

1) I noticed the 7XXX series have 3GB memory, will I need more RAM?

I remember one teacher of mine told me sometime, years ago, that VGA Cards allocate the same amount of your RAMs for example, in my case I've got 6GB RAM if I install a 7970 card it will allocate 3GB of my RAM so my remaining RAM will be 3GB for OS, games apps etc.

I never believed him neither now but I have never asked about it if it is true or not

absolutely not true. your new graphics card has it's OWN memory. It does not use your system RAM. What he's referencing are integrated graphics chips that might borrow system ram.

no offense, but im kinda confused how you dont know more about video cards, yet you have that pretty awesome system...

[MariosX]

absolutely not true. your new graphics card has it's OWN memory. It does not use your system RAM. What he's referencing are integrated graphics chips that might borrow system ram.

no offense, but im kinda confused how you dont know more about video cards, yet you have that pretty awesome system...

i'm confused about what you are confused.

I simply asked based on what my teacher had said back then and "I never believed him neither now but I have never asked about it if it is true or not"

I had my doubts.

[yxz]

Virtualized video memory

In the context of graphics, virtualization means that individual processes (in user mode) cannot see the memory of adjacent processes even by means of insertion of forged commands in the command stream. WDDM drivers allow video memory to be virtualized,[3] and video data to be paged out of video memory into system RAM. In case the video memory available turns out to be insufficient to store all the video data and textures, currently unused data is moved out to system RAM or to the disk. When the swapped out data is needed, it is fetched back. Virtualization could be supported on previous driver models (such as the XP Driver Model) to some extent, but was the responsibility of the driver, instead of being handled at the runtime level.

http://en.wikipedia....ed_video_memory

[Boxster17]

I can pretty max out any game on my system so I'd personally recommend the 7950, as I'm not sure the 7970 is worth the increased cost unless you plan on going to higher resolution or eyefinity at some point. It'll probably be a few months for Nvidia to release Kepler, so if you didn't need it right this moment it may be worthwhile seeing what those look like (at the very least they'll likely drive current Radeon 7k series prices down).

[MariosX]

Sorry for bumping this old thread...

Are we expecting a price drop in GTX 680? which brand offers the best cooling?

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

Sorry for bumping this old thread...

Are we expecting a price drop in GTX 680? which brand offers the best cooling?

i wouldnt expect any price drop for many months. it's their flagship product.

best cooling - probably any card not based on the reference design.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Sorry for bumping this old thread...

Are we expecting a price drop in GTX 680? which brand offers the best cooling?

Well, don't expect a price drop this soon, but I think, and many others too, that a higher model, a 685 might be on its way. That might bring its price down a bit, but not much.

Cards based on refrence design have a bit lower cooling technology, in general

[MariosX]

Well, don't expect a price drop this soon, but I think, and many others too, that a higher model, a 685 might be on its way. That might bring its price down a bit, but not much.

Cards based on refrence design have a bit lower cooling technology, in general

How do I identify which brands are on reference design?

Is EVGA? Gigabyte? ASUS? MSI?

I would get an EVGA though... I heard it's a good brand... and to be honest I'm afraid of ASUS cards...(like they are gonna explode or something)

[MariosX]

Well, don't expect a price drop this soon, but I think, and many others too, that a higher model, a 685 might be on its way. That might bring its price down a bit, but not much.

Cards based on refrence design have a bit lower cooling technology, in general

How do I identify which brands are on reference design?

Is EVGA? Gigabyte? ASUS? MSI?

I would get an EVGA though... I heard it's a good brand... and to be honest I'm afraid of ASUS cards...(like they are gonna explode or something)