Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti any good?

[Chris]

I am not a regular gamer, but want to play RIFT. I have trouble with my AMD HD 4850, although RIFT says it meets game requirements. I am using Dell 2405 monitor (24 inch 1900x1200 res), and when playing RIFT, I got about 45 fps, but there are flashing triangles and other geometric shapes flashing around. There are no motion blur of the subjects.
I use my rig for photo processing and would like it as quiet as possible.
I am looking at this card (on sale at NCIX). Will it get rid of my problems, and is it a quiet or loud card? Advice please. TIA.
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=59...ustomerReviews

[SugarJ]

Your link doesn't work. Is it this one? NCIX.com - Buy Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti 970MHZ 1GB 4.2GHZ GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI DX11 PCI-E Video Card - Gigabyte - GV-N550OC-1GI - in Canada

Edit: I can't speak for this specific card, but SKYMTL seems to be happy with Gigabyte's aftermarket coolers. They are quieter and the card runs cooler than the reference models.

[neojjjk]

two days back tigerdirect was selling this card for 89.99$ ...I also planned to get one at that time.

[Chris]

@ Sugarj: Thanks. That is the card. Not sure I understand the bit about Gigabyte aftermarket cooler. Does it come with this card or do I have to buy it separate?

@neojjjk: I'll take a look to see if it is still there in TigerDirect. Thanks.

[Bond007]

^^He meant the cooler that comes on the card is better than others.

550 Ti should be a very small upgrade over a 4850. If you are content with your current fps, then it would be a good replacement card, but if you want an upgrade (since you are replacing anyway) go to a 560/560Ti/HD 6950.

[Sagath]

Ive wondered at the performance of two of these in SLI. You can find these cards for $100ish regularly plus ~20 MIR's. Seems like they could be pritty good for 160 bucks!

Edit: Researched it. They perform on par with 480/570 for FPS in most games at a similar power draw! Wow, I'm liking these cards!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Bond007

550 Ti should be a very small upgrade over a 4850. If you are content with your current fps, then it would be a good replacement card, but if you want an upgrade (since you are replacing anyway) go to a 560/560Ti/HD 6950.

What I worry about is if it will get rid of my flashing triangles during the game play. I cannot determine what caused it, but I was advised to upgrade my video card. So, if this 550Ti is not much better than 4850, maybe I should look for a better card?

HD 6950 is way over my budget, what about HD 6850?
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=63...X&promoid=1244

[yycraven]

NCIX.com - Buy Diamond Radeon HD 6870 900MHZ 1GB 4.2GHZ GDDR5 2XDVI 2XMINI DisplayPort HDMI PCI-E Video Card - Diamond - 6870PE51G - in Canada

With what sales are on NCIX and if this is in your budget, Get this card. $149.99 after MIR

[Chris]

Thanks. Just read SKYMTL's roundup for this card. It seems to be quite loud and hot. I will not like it when I am doing photo editing, altho I like the price.

[Bond007]

Are you drivers up to date?