Convince Me I Made the Right Choice
 

I bought this: Newegg.com - EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

but I feel like maybe I should have gotten this: Newegg.com - HIS H687FN1GD Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

New graphics cards will be coming out soon and I don't really plan intense games, so I feel like I made the wrong choice. What do you think?


P.S. Random Question: Is this Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL better than this Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL in any way (for a z68 board)?

If you don't need the 560ti for any particular reason why spend the money? The new cards that are coming in the next year are only really relevant to those that want to play demanding games at high res, in 3d, or on multi monitors...

System specs? What game?

asus P8Z68-V ?

Integrated Graphics Processor
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI/RGB ports
- Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz

if have onboard video and plays your games, do really need to upgrade ?

what Z68 MB for to match up memory, go to MB web page and look for QVL for ram (Qualified Vendors Lists) or in support D/L section of MB

I will mostly be playing the new SWTOR gamewhich the 6870 should handle fine. I can't RMA the 560 ti though... I'd have to sell it on ebay... Unless any of you want it for $210

560 ti is fine... don't bother selling it unless you really want the extra dollars more than the extra performance.

Personally I'd sit on the 560 but then I game quite a bit and have become a fan of having the graphics turned way up.

If you can't return it economically just stick with it. Anyways, if you want to run SWTOR with all the pretty stuff turned up you'll probably be better with it anyways... I haven't seen a review of the final release but Tom's did a benchmark run on the open beta: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ew,3087-7.html

Basically, if you play at high res even a 560ti will struggle with everything cranked up. And, it does look pretty with everything cranked. I'm kinda holding out for a good deal on a 570 or an unlockable 6950 or 6970 since I plan to raid do like to be able to crank everything. Right now I'm getting passable FPS with a 9800GTX @ 1920x1200 with everything set to low or off.

I'm not usually one to blatently promote Folding@Home, but in this case folding on the card would help you put your mind at ease. The points per day figures from that card may help you feel at ease about the purchase.

I got burned by the Cougar Point SATA bug so I personally have no problems buying tech later in its lifetime. Do you think you would've bought the next-gen cards at release?

As for your question about RAM, according to G.SKILL's web site, the 2 kits you listed are spec'd the same. Timings, command rate, voltages, and even height of the module. If your motherboard has one on the memory support list but not the other, then get it. Otherwise, you can try and guess which one will still be around when you feel like adding another 8 GB :whistle:
G.SKILL-Products
G.SKILL-Products

I'm playing SWTOR on a GTX 260 with settings on a mix of medium and high w/ shadows turned on. The game appears to be a bit more CPU demanding than GPU. I saw a DRASTIC increase in performance when I OC'd my CPU (i5-750) from stock 2.63Ghz to 3.5Ghz.

You definitely could have gone with the 6870 (given what it sounds like you want in your graphics card), but I wouldn't worry about it. Most people will agree that the 560Ti is a great card, that is more powerful, and that it has better drivers then a 6870. Since you can't return I suggest you don't bother yourself with shoulda coulda woulda and just enjoy the 560Ti...great card and not worth trying to sell. It will last you for some time.