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greenmystik
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Buying new graphics card

Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:11 pm

So I'm upgrading my very very aged AMD HD2400 card. I have my eyes set on the HD 6670 card. This is just to hold me over until the next new computer. I don't game too much, mostly Star Trek online and the random shooter (I'd like to play BF3) when my card can manage it.

My question is should I get a card with GDDR3 or GDDR5? Is there that much of a difference in performance? Also, is there a better alternative on the green side of things?

I don't want to go over $100, including taxes and shipping. Thanx for any input.
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DPete27
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Re: Buying new graphics card

Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:34 pm

GDDR5 will always be better than GDDR3 in that the memory will be faster. (transfer rates roughly twice as fast) If you have your choice of the same card with either type, choose GDDR5 as long as it's not too expensive. This guy looks nice and its the same price as other GDDR3 versions with its $20 MIR. The 6670 is the best card you can get right now that doesn't require external power.

Depending on how demanding your games might get in the future, why not bump right up against your budget ceiling with a 6770 for $100 after MIR? The 6770 (or 5770, same thing) would probably sit at my "low-mid end gaming" recommendation. It should even give you decent 1920 x 1080 gaming performance on the latest most demanding titles at medium quality video settings. You will need to connect it a 6-pin PCI power connector though so make sure thats possible for you before you buy.
Last edited by DPete27 on Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Airmantharp
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Re: Buying new graphics card

Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:47 pm

DPete27 wrote:
GDDR5 will always be better than GDDR3 in that the memory will be faster. (transfer rates roughly twice as fast) If you have your choice of the same card with either type, choose GDDR5 as long as it's not too expensive. This guy looks nice and its the same price as other GDDR3 versions with its $20 MIR.

Depending on how demanding your games might get in the future, why not bump right up against your budget ceiling with a 6770 for $100 after MIR? The 6770 would probably sit at my "low-mid end gaming" recommendation. It should even give you decent 1920 x 1080 gaming performance on the latest most demanding titles at medium quality video settings.


This, if you don't want to get anything more expensive. People game on these (and the preceding HD5770's) quite well just by turning down some settings.
 
greenmystik
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Re: Buying new graphics card

Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:13 pm

Coincidentally that was the exact ASUS card I was goin to buy. That was the reason for the question about memory types, since the ddr3 is slightly cheaper. I think i will end up getting the ASUS now for sure. Thanks for the input.
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Voldenuit
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Re: Buying new graphics card

Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:39 am

DPete27 wrote:
The 6670 is the best card you can get right now that doesn't require external power.


Actually, that would be the 7750. And it goes for around $109. Even if the OP doesn't game much, it might be worth it over his old 2400 for the video decode capabilities (although the 6670 would also be fine for that).
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