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Best $200 Graphics card

1K views 32 replies 11 participants last post by  Pnanasnoic 
#1 ·
Im looking to upgrade my GTX 580 graphics card to something that can handle GTA V a little better. At one point I was considering buying a second 580 (used) to run in sli. I think that would be my cheapest upgrade path but possibly not the very best even after considering my limited budget. With the fact that GTA 5 is the main reason for the upgrade I want a card that will be able to run it with settings that make it look atleast on par with the current consoles (Xbox One, PS4). I also want a card that supports 4k since one of my machines primary uses these days is as a media center and at some point in the next year I will likely be purchasing a 4k TV. So, with a $200 budget, what's the best graphics card money can buy for my situation?
 
#2 ·
If you are not averse to AMD, the 290 has the price to performance for anything above 1440p. If you want Nvidia, get a 960. Get the 4GB one of the 960 as it might help when you go SLI in the future
 
#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

If you are not averse to AMD, the 290 has the price to performance for anything above 1440p. If you want Nvidia, get a 960. Get the 4GB one of the 960 as it might help when you go SLI in the future
I am not against AMD. I will admit I've always been team green but I am really open to the "best bidder" at this point.

Sorry for my ignorance but can you explain why the 4GB helps me in an SLI configuration? Do you mean it would just be good since it would be an 8GB VRam setup or is there a limitation with SLI where only one of the cards VRam gets used?
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by austinb324 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

If you are not averse to AMD, the 290 has the price to performance for anything above 1440p. If you want Nvidia, get a 960. Get the 4GB one of the 960 as it might help when you go SLI in the future
I am not against AMD. I will admit I've always been team green but I am really open to the "best bidder" at this point.

Sorry for my ignorance but can you explain why the 4GB helps me in an SLI configuration? Do you mean it would just be good since it would be an 8GB VRam setup or is there a limitation with SLI where only one of the cards VRam gets used?
No, since VRAM does not stack in SLI nor in CFX, having larger frame buffer on the cards helps from early on out. Its better as if you go with the standard 2GB variant, then you the GPU's only have 2 GB's to play with rather than if you go with the 4GB variant, in which case the GPU's have 4GB
 
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#6 ·
AMD R9 290... Nothing can beat that

HIS ICeQ 240$ after rebate.

Link



used reference models are sold on this forum for 190$ by Lutroo.
 
#8 ·
A 290 is going to be the sweet spot around $200, not much else comes close unless you can find a decent 780. I haven't paid much attention to nvidia things since swapping out my 970s, but 780/780ti performance concerning drivers has apparently been less than stellar since the 900 series release. Sapphire Tri-x will be your best aftermarket choice if you don't wanna pick up a reference 290 for cooling and noise reasons. A 960 could be a possible choice based on certain games, but a 290 will definitely outlast the 960 and be a better performer across the board if you plan on not upgrading for 2-3 years.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klocek001 View Post

people recommending 4GB 960 as the best buy for the money need to just stop. this GPU will say "that's enough" long before you even come close to 4GB of vram usage.
Yeah, I mean the 960 gets beat by the 770 in most cases... and you can pick those up far cheaper in the For Sale section of the forum.

I'd head over to the FS section, there are some 290s or 970s that have been hovering in the $200 range if you're willing to stretch your budget a bit.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klocek001 View Post

don't recommend reference unless you're okay with it running really loud, that's the only way the reference is not gonna throttle.
i'm just giving the guy the options. it's his choice to choose.
 
#11 ·
I'd say go with a new 280x under $200 or a 2nd hand 290 for $200+. And yes, 770 > 960.
None of these cards will let you play new games at 4k, 290 might just be enough for like 2010 titles but not much else.
Oh I just remembered 280x is a rebranded 7970 GHz edition, that would be the best bang for the buck if you're okay with 2nd hand.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klocek001 View Post

people recommending 4GB 960 as the best buy for the money need to just stop. this GPU will say "that's enough" long before you even come close to 4GB of vram usage.
there's a reason high end gpus need more vram, there's a reason mid-range cards don't.
He hadn't mentioned if he was interested in AMD. Hence I chose from both sides one's which fit his budget perfectly. That ~200$ was right where 960's are. Whether they are good for that price range is another discussion.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

He hadn't mentioned if he was interested in AMD. Hence I chose from both sides one's which fit his budget perfectly. That ~200$ was right where 960's are. Whether they are good for that price range is another discussion.
Being good was a requirement of the OP though.
Quote:
...So, with a $200 budget, what's the best graphics card money can buy for my situation?
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenFaux View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

He hadn't mentioned if he was interested in AMD. Hence I chose from both sides one's which fit his budget perfectly. That ~200$ was right where 960's are. Whether they are good for that price range is another discussion.
Being good was a requirement of the OP though.
Quote:
...So, with a $200 budget, what's the best graphics card money can buy for my situation?
So which Nvidia card would you have chosen at that price range ??
 
#16 ·
OP,

Since you are in the US you can check this out for AMD cards. Since you say for $200 that means to mean within $10 range so the 280x is best for that choice at that price. http://gpushack.com/

I know of no such site for Nvidia but here is from Newegg: 700 series: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007709%204017%20600451260 or from 900 series: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007709%204017%20600537575.

Probably none of these cards are future proof for the next few years as 4k is already being beat by newer resolutions. I know you said that you are are getting a 4k but I have read that even the top cards out now are having trouble keeping up maxed out on 4k.

If you are on Windows maybe Windows 10 might help address this issue if rumors are correct.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

No, since VRAM does not stack in SLI nor in CFX, having larger frame buffer on the cards helps from early on out. Its better as if you go with the standard 2GB variant, then you the GPU's only have 2 GB's to play with rather than if you go with the 4GB variant, in which case the GPU's have 4GB
I just learned something new. Thanks for that, now I see why adding another 580 to my setup would be a complete waste of money.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klocek001 View Post

I'd say go with a new 280x under $200 or a 2nd hand 290 for $200+. And yes, 770 > 960.
None of these cards will let you play new games at 4k, 290 might just be enough for like 2010 titles but not much else.
Oh I just remembered 280x is a rebranded 7970 GHz edition, that would be the best bang for the buck if you're okay with 2nd hand.
Not hopeing to game at 4k with this card. Except maybe some CS if it supports that Resolution. The 4k support would be more so for displaying media at that resolution.
Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

He hadn't mentioned if he was interested in AMD. Hence I chose from both sides one's which fit his budget perfectly. That ~200$ was right where 960's are. Whether they are good for that price range is another discussion.
Looking for the best performer for the money so I am happy to switch to AMD as that seems to be the consensus around here at the moment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by soulwrath View Post

I have a 8 month old 7970 sapphire ati card Original packaging, warranty etc lmk and i can make an official post.
PM'd
Quote:
Originally Posted by antonio8 View Post

OP,

Since you are in the US you can check this out for AMD cards. Since you say for $200 that means to mean within $10 range so the 280x is best for that choice at that price. http://gpushack.com/

I know of no such site for Nvidia but here is from Newegg: 700 series: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007709%204017%20600451260 or from 900 series: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007709%204017%20600537575.

Probably none of these cards are future proof for the next few years as 4k is already being beat by newer resolutions. I know you said that you are are getting a 4k but I have read that even the top cards out now are having trouble keeping up maxed out on 4k.

If you are on Windows maybe Windows 10 might help address this issue if rumors are correct.
Thanks for all of that info, gpuShack looks like a pretty cool site. Refurbished GPUs with a slight markup but they come with a 2 year warranty. Might be a viable option if I don't find something enticing in the OCN Marketplace.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klocek001 View Post

None of these cards will let you play new games at 4k, 290 might just be enough for like 2010 titles but not much else.
Yea, not true at all. a 290/290x will play a lot of games, even newer ones fine at 4k. Sure, you aren't going to max them but on GTA V I'm currently doing just fine at 4k with a mix of very high and high settings without MSAA. BF4 I can pretty much do all ultra settings minus post at medium (no obvious visual difference I can see) fine as well.

OT:

290's are going to be your best bet here
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenFaux View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

So which Nvidia card would you have chosen at that price range ??
Maybe if you could find a used 970 or 780 at that price, otherwise there there isn't a $200 Nivida card that can compete with the 290.
Stop deflecting the actual question. I asked an Nvidia card for the price range that he mentioned in the OP of $200. Honestly, at this point I wouldn't suggest a 970 to the OP due to controversies in its VRAM partition, and I'd really like a link to that $200 780
rolleyes.gif
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoloCamo View Post

Yea, not true at all. a 290/290x will play a lot of games, even newer ones fine at 4k. Sure, you aren't going to max them but on GTA V I'm currently doing just fine at 4k with a mix of very high and high settings without MSAA. BF4 I can pretty much do all ultra settings minus post at medium (no obvious visual difference I can see) fine as well.

OT:

290's are going to be your best bet here
define " just fine".
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenFaux View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

Stop deflecting the actual question. I asked an Nvidia card for the price range that he mentioned in the OP of $200. Honestly, at this point I wouldn't suggest a 970 to the OP due to controversies in its VRAM partition, and I'd really like a link to that $200 780
rolleyes.gif
Did you even read the post you quoted?
I did, and thats why it did not make sense. The OP wanted a card ~$200. You said a used 970 (which I wouldn't suggest) or a 780. Can you link me to those cards, used for ~$200 as I'd genuinely be interested in buying one. Also, I pointed a 960 as that is what was available near the price range from Nvidia side to which you suggested there's an alternative.
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

I did, and thats why it did not make sense. The OP wanted a card ~$200. You said a used 970 (which I wouldn't suggest) or a 780. Can you link me to those cards, used for ~$200 as I'd genuinely be interested in buying one. Also, I pointed a 960 as that is what was available near the price range from Nvidia side to which you suggested there's an alternative.
See this?
Quote:
Maybe if you could find a used 970 or 780 at that price
"Maybe if you could find..." being the important bit.

The 960 isn't even in the same league as a 290 and since the OP wants the best card in the price range it's not viable competition. At $200 those are your choices, find a cheap 970 or 780 or buy a 290.
 
#25 ·
So, after looking at the Newegg reviews on ALL of the 290s that are somewhat near my price range...im left feeling very unsure. Why do so many of the manufacturers have cards out there where 25% of the reviews are 1 egg? When I go over and look at the 960s and 970s there is only 1 card with less than a 4 egg average.
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by FallenFaux View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by huzzug View Post

I did, and thats why it did not make sense. The OP wanted a card ~$200. You said a used 970 (which I wouldn't suggest) or a 780. Can you link me to those cards, used for ~$200 as I'd genuinely be interested in buying one. Also, I pointed a 960 as that is what was available near the price range from Nvidia side to which you suggested there's an alternative.
See this?
Quote:
Maybe if you could find a used 970 or 780 at that price
"Maybe if you could find..." being the important bit.

The 960 isn't even in the same league as a 290 and since the OP wants the best card in the price range it's not viable competition. At $200 those are your choices, find a cheap 970 or 780 or buy a 290.
And I'd like to find one for $200 any of those cards. I searched Ebay and all are runng $250~$300. Hence, why I asked if you have come across some ??
 
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