GPU Upgrade...input wanted

[audirs]

personally i think you should opt for the 6950 then. there is one on at ncix, powercolor for 279. you can score a sapphire for 289 on newegg iirc.

[Galcobar]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye_54

Why do you suggest AMD over a comparable NVidia? Curious if there is something about the two chip makers I am not aware of. Which brand fo you prefer and why? e.g. Is XFX better than eVGA, Sapphire or HIS?

IF the budget is $300, then the best card you can get under that budget really is the 6950. A GTX 570 is significantly over $300, while a GTX 460 -- which is rapidly approaching EOL -- is significantly slower though at ~$200 is good bang-for-the-buck.

Trouble is right now that there really isn't a comparable Nvidia around the $300 mark.

[draemn]

I'm not sure on length, as I'm more likely to stick with nvidia (and therefore don't pay too much attention to ATI), but if you are looking at ATI, I'd stick with the 68xx series as they still have the traditional role of being more power-efficient and run cooler than their nvidia counterparts (and you said that was important). I usually will not suggest ATI unless you play 2560x1600 or the price warrants the suggestion, but if I were to suggest ATI, that would be my suggestion.

The GTX 460 1GB is a great option, or you can see how well the 756MB in SLI works if you nab it at $130 each (or less). I would never suggest a single 756MB card for medium-high level graphics, but maybe in SLI they are worth it?

[The RealRollo]

Originally Posted by Galcobar

IF the budget is $300, then the best card you can get under that budget really is the 6950. A GTX 570 is significantly over $300, while a GTX 460 -- which is rapidly approaching EOL -- is significantly slower though at ~$200 is good bang-for-the-buck.

Trouble is right now that there really isn't a comparable Nvidia around the $300 mark.

A mysterious card showed up at my house the other day in a static bag. Couldn't really say what it is, a new offering from NVIDIA I believe. The performance is there, and the price will be right.

I'd say hold on a very short while OP- don't buy today. I'm thinking this card will be desirable to you.

[Delavan]

I'd grab a GTX570 on sale. NCIX was selling a ZOTAC (lifetime warranty) for $319 a few weeks back...
Especially if you wanna buy a card that will last you 3 years like you say...get the fastest card you can get!

A mysterious card showed up at my house the other day in a static bag. Couldn't really say what it is, a new offering from NVIDIA I believe. The performance is there, and the price will be right.

I'd say hold on a very short while OP- don't buy today. I'm thinking this card will be desirable to you. __________________

I guess the Rollo dude is talking about the GTX560!!!

[audirs]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye_54

Why do you suggest AMD over a comparable NVidia? Curious if there is something about the two chip makers I am not aware of. Which brand fo you prefer and why? e.g. Is XFX better than eVGA, Sapphire or HIS?

it was based just on budget, no nvidia card that can outperform a 6950 is less then 300. the new 6950 1gb are out now, and they are starting at 259 on newegg

Newegg.ca - SAPPHIRE 100312-1GSR Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

im not too picky about brands, usually the cheaper one, or if one comes with more accessories. also some brands have better warranty then others. all preference at the end of the day, for the most part they will all perform the same

edit: i should mention stock for stock. overclock is always a variable, but its not guaranteed

[_dangtx_]

either 560 or 6950 1b/2gb(depending on price) to be grabbed :)

[Pukka]

I'd say get a 560; or, if you are brave, get a 6950 2GB and unlock it to a 6970. It worked like a charm for me

[_dangtx_]

good. if you want to try it, 6950 modded bios.

[Eagle Eye_54]

Yeah thanks. I heard that the 6950 can flashed to the 6970 specs. I may just do that.