PowerColor HD6870 1GB vs XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB vs MSI GeForce GTX460 1GB OC

[Remf]

So, three cards.
Price as follows:
PowerColor HD6870 1GB - 1523SEK
XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB - 1590SEK
MSI GeForce GTX460 1GB OC - 1249SEK

I'm sitting on a XFX GTX260 SP (896 MB).
Is it even worth upgrading?

The prices are in swedish kronor (no reason to convert).
I'm mainly playing StarCraft 2 (when I have the time). The problem with my card now is that I get these black outs in SC2 for like 3-5 seconds which is a game breaker.

I need to know what difference these GPUs are in games like BF3.
Also, I know Diablo 3 isn't out.
What are the chances I can't max it out with one of these?


Thanks in advance

EDIT: Seems the HD6870 beats the 460 kinda hard in BF3.
Question, PowerColor or XFX?
EDIT2: Will my i5 750 (stock) bottleneck a 6870?

[Kilauea]

Originally Posted by Remf

I'm mainly playing StarCraft 2 (when I have the time).

To me that is the main point. Normally a GTX 260 should max out SC2(at 1080p+) unless (maybe) you play long 4v4. Those black outs definitively are not normal, I'd check it out with XFX for warranty on the card.

Out of your 3 choices, I guess the price difference isn't huge, either one will max out the game at 1080p. The 6870 is a little bit ahead of the 460, but in SC2, you won't notice any difference.

Edit: Your CPU won't be a bottleneck. I'd always go for XFX before Powercolor, better warranty. Neither of those GPUs will max out BF3, unless (maybe) you play at ridiculously low resolution. At high details the 6870 can surely play at 1680 x 1050 and maybe 1080p, the 460 can't do as well at 1080p.

[Remf]

Originally Posted by Kilauea

To me that is the main point. Normally a GTX 260 should max out SC2(at 1080p+) unless (maybe) you play long 4v4. Those black outs definitively are not normal, I'd check it out with XFX for warranty on the card.

Out of your 3 choices, I guess the price difference isn't huge, either one will max out the game at 1080p. The 6870 is a little bit ahead of the 460, but in SC2, you won't notice any difference.

Edit: Your CPU won't be a bottleneck. I'd always go for XFX before Powercolor, better warranty. Neither of those GPUs will max out BF3, unless (maybe) you play at ridiculously low resolution. At high details the 6870 can surely play at 1680 x 1050 and maybe 1080p, the 460 can't do as well at 1080p.

Yeah, that is what sucks.
The card plays SC2 fine on 1680x1050 atm (planning on going to 1080p) it's just these blackouts.
Would rather stay with it, but it's basically unplayable with the blackouts, lose so much time.
The card is really old, can I still get it on warranty?

[Kilauea]

If the card is registered, XFX offers lifetime warranty, unless I am mistaken. I'd definitively check it out.

I play SC2 maxed out with an HD 4890 which is quite similar to a GTX 260, I play at 1920 x 1200.

[Remf]

Originally Posted by Kilauea

If the card is registered, XFX offers lifetime warranty, unless I am mistaken. I'd definitively check it out.

I play SC2 maxed out with an HD 4890 which is quite similar to a GTX 260, I play at 1920 x 1200.

How long do I have to register?

I think I will just go with a 6950 then.
XFX Radeon HD6950 (695X) HDMI Dual-DisplayPort Dual-DVI 2GB - 1819SEK

This should blow my GTX260 away and HOPEFULLY run Diablo 3 at max settings.
Also, memory will never be a limiting factor.
Will my CPU (i5 750 stock) bottleneck any game?

Thanks Kilauea for all the help :)

[Kilauea]

Originally Posted by Remf

How long do I have to register?

You have 30 days to register for the double lifetime warranty, otherwise, you get 2 years.

Originally Posted by Remf

I think I will just go with a 6950 then.
XFX Radeon HD6950 (695X) HDMI Dual-DisplayPort Dual-DVI 2GB - 1819SEK

This should blow my GTX260 away and HOPEFULLY run Diablo 3 at max settings.

I am currently in the process of getting a GTX 560ti which is cheaper than the 6950 here and performance is similar. Its another thing you might want to look at if you are going for those, but BF3 plays better with a 6950(2gb, not sure about 1gb)

I am quite sure that you will be able to run D3 at max settings without much problems.

Originally Posted by Remf

Also, memory will never be a limiting factor.

Memory will be a limiting factor when you boost the resolution. 1gb is arguably around the sweet spot for 1080p(in some instances more may be better), but more will definitively be an advantage for higher resolutions. Lower resolutions do not benefit from more memory.

Originally Posted by Remf

Will my CPU (i5 750 stock) bottleneck any game?

I am not sure if the fact your CPU is running at stock will bottleneck any game, but what is sure is that its supposed to be a nice overclocker and you could look into it for a small and easy OC. Someone else will likely be able to answer you better than I can.

[Remf]

I could get a 560Ti 1GB for 1666SEK (which isn't from the most reputable seller).
So I kinda feel the 6950 is better for me if I consider everything.
The cheapest 2GB 560Ti would run me 400-500 more.

Thanks again for all the super fast help.

EDIT:
OCZ Technology 700W ModXStream Pro Power Supply
Will this run my system? Will it run CF if I want too?

[yycraven]

Check this video out by Linus
Battlefield 3 Video Card Round Up Benchmark Results Linus Tech Tips - YouTube

[Kilauea]

Originally Posted by Remf

OCZ Technology 700W ModXStream Pro Power Supply
Will this run my system? Will it run CF if I want too?

OCZ is not the most well regarded PSU brand around here, so I will say it should run a single GPU, but I wouldn't push it for 2. A quality 750w PSU (Corsair, Seasonic, Antec) will run CF, but generally speaking it is recommended to go for 850w to lighten the load on the PSU.

[Remf]

Originally Posted by Kilauea

OCZ is not the most well regarded PSU brand around here, so I will say it should run a single GPU, but I wouldn't push it for 2. A quality 750w PSU (Corsair, Seasonic, Antec) will run CF, but generally speaking it is recommended to go for 850w to lighten the load on the PSU.

Ok!
When you say it's not that well regarded, is it about NOT having the 700W that it lists? Is it that they fail alot? Bad components?

Cause most reviews I have read gave it a more than fair rating.