Best gaming video card around $200?

Peace Maker on 19/10/2013 - 10:49
Last edited 19/10/2013 - 11:10

With the new line of Nvidia and AMD cards being released, there seems to be some good deals on the last gen cards.

I haven't seen anything around the $200 mark (apart from the $265 deal last week, can't remember the model).

Edit: http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/119487 (GTX670 for $265)

Is this price mark too low for gaming these days? I currently have a HD5770 and it is starting to struggle lately with some games on my new Dell 29 inch ultra wide screen (U2913WM).

Anyone have a suggestion for a card around $200 or is it worth paying a little more for a bigger boost in performance?

Thanks

Computing Computer Component Video Card

Comments

  • _Bruce_ on 19/10/2013 - 11:11

    Is this price mark too low for gaming these days?

    Not at all depends on your usage and expectations.

    Start by looking at 7870s, such as this (not the best deal ever):
    http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&c…

    There have been a few 7950s going cheap(ish) on clearance, so keep an eye out if the cost difference is small, but it won't make a world if difference.

    This deal:
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/119100
    Had a 7870 for $209 and a 7950 Boost for $249.

    Don't pay more for a 270X, it is a 7870 a change to the reference design clocks.

  • Conka on 19/10/2013 - 14:00

    Anandtech.com have good benchmarks for gaming GPUs
    http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU13/583 - that will give you an indication of performance. its then a matter of looking those models up on a pricing engine (like Staticice)

    The HD 7870 @ 78.8 points (on anandtech BF3 1920 * 1080 ultra-high quality) is around the $220 mark (http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=HD+7870&spos=1)

    The GTX 660 @ 82.5 points can be had for $200.

    I am a swinging voter when it comes to PC components (CPU aside) and have little brand loyalty. If it was my purchase, the GTX 680 has a lower price for the performance, and so that is what I'd be going for.

    • Peace Maker on 19/10/2013 - 14:28

      I hadn't thought about bench marking. I imagine they are real world tests? GTX 660 looks like a good price. Thanks for the link.

      • scrimshaw on 19/10/2013 - 15:30

        Those are benchmarks for Battlefield 3 only, at a certain point in time. Performance may differ in other games and will also depend on what version of drivers were used, (that is, there are games where 7870 will come out on top). Look at Hitman and Sleeping dogs for example.
        http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/857?vs=783

        The 7870 is actually faster than the 660 in a lot of places, by a small margin. If you want value for money, get the 7870 MYST editions (these perform faster than the stock standard 7870's. Free games are included)

        • Peace Maker on 19/10/2013 - 16:43

          Cheers scrimshaw. 7870 is in my price range, and I'm swayed by the games bundle. Hadn't heard of the MYST edition. It's tough to keep up to date on GPU's.

  • ethereal88 on 19/10/2013 - 16:58
    -1

    A 7870 would die at that resolution unless you fancy playing AAA games at medium/low. $200 won't get you anything at that res. And lowering the res defeats the point of such a monitor.

  • WalterPPK on 19/10/2013 - 18:07
    +2

    TomsHardware do a monthly "Best Graphics Cards for The Money" article: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-rev…

    • _Bruce_ on 20/10/2013 - 09:41

      Yes, but just be aware those are US prices, and no special sales/clearances.

  • p1 ama on 19/10/2013 - 19:16

    I'm quite brand loyal to nVidia and Intel, so I can only suggest nVidia cards.

    My suggestion is to go for a GTX660 Ti. The GTX660 Ti is based on the GK104 core, which is the same core used in the GTX670, GTX680, GTX760 and GTX770.

    Personally I would say that either the GTX660 Ti or the GTX670 for you would be good. The GTX680 is a bit more expensive than the GTX670 but you don't get much more performance and again the GTX770 is only marginally better than the GTX670 as well (a little better than the GTX680).

    MSY had the GTX660 Ti on clearance for like $230 or something last time I checked (which was this morning), so check out their clearance price list and hopefully a store near you has one.

  • Jikx on 20/10/2013 - 14:34
    +1

    The answer is - a second hand 7950 3GB. Going for about $200!

    High memory bandwidth, 3GB VRAM, +/- Mantle (if that pans out) means it'll last a fair while..

  • Peace Maker on 20/10/2013 - 15:27

    Thanks for the tips guys.

    Going to keep a look out for a good deal on a GTX660Ti or GTX670 or a 7870.

  • ankor on 20/10/2013 - 19:32
    +1

    I was all set for a saphire HD7950 boost 3D for 300ish or so. I managed to find and win on ebay, a gtx 660ti for $210. At the time, I was also tempted by the HD7850 and HD7870. It really depends on the monitor size, resolution and the games you will be playing.

    edit: just saw your monitor size. I'd be doing research on cards that do resolutions above 1920x1080. e.g. 2556 and above if I was in your position.

  • Briefcase Mong on 20/10/2013 - 20:56
    +1

    recently I bought 2 used GTX 560 Ti Superoverclocked on eBay for $190 run great on Battlefield 4 beta. Try getting a used GTX 580 on eBay

  • biozet on 21/10/2013 - 12:34

    MSI R7850-1GD5/OC 1GB DDR5 7850 PCI-E VGA Card 149 1

    msy clearance

  • Peace Maker on 21/10/2013 - 13:02

    Thanks everyone for your advice. Went with the 7850 from PCCG today for $159. http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/120152

  • renzorz on 21/10/2013 - 14:38
    +1

    Might aswell get a good card that would last you a while.

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