Best AMD GPU for the money? <$250

[Al_da_gamer]

I have a budget on <$250 and would like to get help to buy the best GPU that fits my build! 🙁

• OC: Not sure, possibly not.
• Ports: HDMI, DVI
• Purpouse: Gaming, photo editing/painting, and gameplay recording
• Chipset manufacturer: AMD
• Chipset: 7850, 7870, 7950, 7970
• Memory: 1-4GB

I also need help to pick video card manufacturer (maybe something like Sapphire or MSI). Please help!

Rest of my build:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZhl
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZhl/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZhl/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($203.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($87.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Mouse: Razer ABYSSUS Wired Optical Mouse ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Razer Lycosa Programmable Backlit Gaming Keyboard ($58.38)
Total: $769.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-20 20:14 EDT-0400)

 

[smeezekitty]

I would say if budget is important then the 7870 is the way to go.

 

[giltyler]

There is a 7870 that is just what you are looking for. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-4.html Should be a nice card for that price $250

Do you live near a Micro center?

 

[Al_da_gamer]

There is a 7870 that is just what you are looking for. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-4.html Should be a nice card for that price $250

Do you live near a Micro center?

Nope, not at all :/

 

[Al_da_gamer]

Also, what is the difference between the GHz edition, XT version, and the normal one? And could you guys tell me the best manufacturer of the 7870?

 

[killerval]

Hi there

Ghz edition is an overclocked 7870
XT is the nomenclature used by sapphire for the tahiti LE based cards (one could argue its a 7930 or a handicapped 7950). powercolor, club3d, and vtx3d also do versions of this card named 'pcs+ myst edition', 'jokercard' and 'black edition' respectively.

IMO, you're better off going for the tahiti based board as its the best bang for your buck: toms hardware did a review (*) of the powercolor version which sums it up nicely, plus if you're willing to OC you can get it up to past a 7950.

* http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/tahiti-le-7870-7930-benchmark,review-32627.html

Also, check this out: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32671.html

 

[Al_da_gamer]

Hi there

Ghz edition is an overclocked 7870
XT is the nomenclature used by sapphire for the tahiti LE based cards (one could argue its a 7930 or a handicapped 7950). powercolor, club3d, and vtx3d also do versions of this card named 'pcs+ myst edition', 'jokercard' and 'black edition' respectively.

IMO, you're better off going for the tahiti based board as its the best bang for your buck: toms hardware did a review (*) of the powercolor version which sums it up nicely, plus if you're willing to OC you can get it up to past a 7950.

* http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/tahiti-le-7870-7930-benchmark,review-32627.html

Also, check this out: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32671.html

But what manufacturer is the best? 🙁 It's my first time picking a gpu and I don't have any experience on what is the brand, also, thanks! Now i know LE is the direction for me, now it's just the brand and the best bang for the buck...

 

[chromic]

7870 xt sapphire edition is the best probably, its a dual fan, rest are single 92mm fan gpu's

 

[Al_da_gamer]

7870 xt sapphire edition is the best probably, its a dual fan, rest are single 92mm fan gpu's

There are two Sapphire XT(s), could you tell me which one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202024&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-7870XT2&c=CJ

 

[killerval]

Both of them are the same, there is only 1 sapphire tahiti model: sapphire HD 7870 XT 2gb (with boost). Also, as for which one, it depends on whether you are going to OC. if you aren't then go for the powercolor as its cheaper and recommended (see the link above), however if you are then 1 fan will run too hot so go for the sapphire.

I'm currently trying to get my hands on a sapphire 7870 XT like yourself but being in the UK im struggling to get one at a good price

 

[Al_da_gamer]

The powercolor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB 925MHz costs actually $1 more than the Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB 925MHz (lol), so I think I'll go with the Sapphire. Anyone against or has some last suggestions?

 

[smeezekitty]

I would say go for it.

 

[chromic]

sapphire is the way to go, i went for myst edition myself cause it was only 210€ here and sapphire was like +240€..

 

[Al_da_gamer]

Alright now we vote for which sapphire is should get:

Say "#1" for http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-7870XT2&c=CJ#

Or

Say "#2" for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202024&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[chromic]

Alright now we vote for which sapphire is should get:

Say "#1" for http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-7870XT2&c=CJ#

Or

Say "#2" for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202024&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

cheaper one, both are excact the same card.

 

[killerval]

Hey chromic, just did the same. In the UK the sapphire is £30 more expensive then the powercolor, and I found the powercolor with 4 free games so it was a no brainer. A bit anxious to see how loud it is though: all reviews say its loud and hot but don't give specifics. Mind you, cant be much worse than my 4870 😛

Do you recon you'll OC it?

 

[Al_da_gamer]

I think I'll go with the one from Newegg, as I don't really trust SuperBiiz (nor do i with Newegg, but it seems like a more professional site) + there were lots of positive reviews saying great stuff about it (they kept calling it " HD 7930 " 😉 )