Best card for $500

[Bags]

Okay, my gf's 580 just died on her and she's looking for a replacement for $500 or less. She plays on a TV and can't remember the exact resolution, I think it's bigger than 1900x1080. Anyhow, she mostly plans to play GW2 and probably some PS2 with me (though she hates modern shooters so I dunno if she'll stick with it).

Her cpu is an i7-2600k so she's not gonna be cpu bound.

Thanks. :groovy:

Edit: oh and she recently had to move out to cali for her job so yeah they have tax from newegg there iirc.

[Deezy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125422

LORD JESUS it's on sale for 489 w/ promo code til 7/31. I hate that I already bought the 670.....:cry:

or you could always go w/ a 670 from either gigabyte (3x windforce) or asus (directcuii)

also very good cards.

[Mutant]

Okay, my gf's 580 just died on her and she's looking for a replacement for $500 or less. She plays on a TV and can't remember the exact resolution, I think it's bigger than 1900x1080. Anyhow, she mostly plans to play GW2 and probably some PS2 with me (though she hates modern shooters so I dunno if she'll stick with it).

Her cpu is an i7-2600k so she's not gonna be cpu bound.

Thanks. :groovy:

Edit: oh and she recently had to move out to cali for her job so yeah they have tax from newegg there iirc.

The TV most likely is 1920x1080 max or could be 1280×720.
The only res it will be if it is higher is 3840×2160 and would have cost you over $10,000



For 1920x1080 or less i would go with the GTX680, should be easy to fine for a shade under $500



If you are going to be gaming at greater than 1920x1080 best Graphics for under $500 i would pick this;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131471

$440 after rebate

HD7970
1100 Core clock
1425 Mem clock

With those clocks it will eat stock GTX670s and be beating the GTX680 most of the time.

[Eyeklops]

Both of the cards listed above vent the GPU heat into the case. This is fine if her PC case has good airflow, just be aware of it. If your concerned about internal case heat, use one of these instead:

1. EVGA 02G-P4-2680-KR GeForce GTX 680 2GB $499 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130768)
2. EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB $409 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787)
3. EVGA 04G-P4-2673-KR GeForce GTX 670 Superclocked+ w/Backplate 4GB $459 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130785)

[Ait'al]

MSI R7970 Lightning Radeon 3GB 384Bit 2048 stream processors. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127670)
free shipping and 3 free games! 8) only 519 dollars!
No idea if that is better though.

[Mutant]

I think for $500 the 670 is not going to come out on top. I would call it king of the $400 for 1080p.


MSI R7970 Lightning Radeon 3GB 384Bit 2048 stream processors. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127670)
free shipping and 3 free games! 8) only 519 dollars!
No idea if that is better though.

That has lower clocks and is $80 more than the 7970 I posted.

[Ait'al]

I saw that. 8) And the both come with 3 free games!

Does any of this make up for the difference?

mine
Unlocked Digital Power
- Unlocked BIOS: One click to unlock all protections for extreme overclocking
- Digital PWM Controller: More stable and precise voltage by digital signal
- Enhanced Power Design: 2X Power output for maximum OC potential

GPU Reactor
- An add-on device on the back of R7970 Lightning (Behind GPU) for the overclocking stability
- Provide 88% higher power capacity and eliminate power noise (ripple)

Xtreme Thermal
- Dust Removal technology on Twin Frozr IV keeps dust out for the best thermal condition
- Dual Form-in-one Heatsinks provide better heat dissipation and strengthen the structure

Military Class III Components
- Meet MIL-STD-810G standard to ensure the best stability and quality.
- Adopt CopperMOS, Hi-c CAP, Golden SSC, and Dark Solid CAP

Yours:
AMD Eyefinity multi-display technology

AMD App Acceleration

AMD HD3D technology

AMD PowerPlay power management technology

AMD PowerTune technology

AMD Catalyst graphics and HD video configuration software