Best Graphics Cards For The Money: January 2012 (Archive)

[Novuake]

I guess you didn't even read your own article. All I see from that report is the GTX 660 TI beating the HD 7950 in 2 out of the 3 games in both FPS and in frame latency. And the only game the 7950 managed to pull a 5 fps win was in Guild Wars 2, where it also tied in frame latency. Yep that's a full tier higher in performance for sure (sarcasm).

OK clearly you are being stuborn... READ ALL OF IT. Done arguing, since you know better than Toms and so many other sites out there, you MUST be right. Now stop spouting junk.

 

[anthony8989]

I guess you didn't even read your own article. All I see from that report is the GTX 660 TI beating the HD 7950 in 2 out of the 3 games in both FPS and in frame latency. And the only game the 7950 managed to pull a 5 fps win was in Guild Wars 2, where it also tied in frame latency. Yep that's a full tier higher in performance for sure (sarcasm).

OK clearly you are being stuborn... READ ALL OF IT. Done arguing, since you know better than Toms and so many other sites out there, you MUST be right. Now stop spouting junk.

I literally just read it all. At the very best they are so close in performance they can be regarded as equal cards. In no way is the 7950 one tier better than the GTX 660 TI . And that is the only review I've seen where the 7950 did not get flat out beat. Therefore it is impossible to conclude that the 7950 is any better than the 660 TI. Case closed!

 

[Sakkura]

Once again Sakkura, we don't measure a card's quality solely on the average FPS generated at the game engine as measured by FPS programs any more. Those charts are nearly useless now.

Wrong. The FPS is still important. And since the frame time issues for AMD single cards have now been pretty much resolved, the 7950 is better than the GTX 660 Ti. The 7870 XT is debatable, but in more than a few cases its performance is right up there with the 7950.

Of course, Crossfire is another story entirely.

 

[anthony8989]

Once again Sakkura, we don't measure a card's quality solely on the average FPS generated at the game engine as measured by FPS programs any more. Those charts are nearly useless now.

Wrong. The FPS is still important. And since the frame time issues for AMD single cards have now been pretty much resolved, the 7950 is better than the GTX 660 Ti. The 7870 XT is debatable, but in more than a few cases its performance is right up there with the 7950.

Of course, Crossfire is another story entirely.

Well after rigorously searching the web looking at all benchmark comparisons I could find, the facts are contrary to your statement. The recent changes to Catalyst drivers have improved the 7950's latency issues, but still does not make the 7950 better than the GTX 660 TI (it seems even at best, with the GTX 660 ti having a slight advantage). But if you have any specific links to benchmark comparisons that show ***more than just flat out FPS averages***, I wouldn't mind taking a look. I can only find them on TechReport and all 4 that I've reviewed have clearly placed the GTX 660 TI ahead of the 7950.

EDIT: It's worth mentioning that TechReport found an average FPS drop from Catalyst 12 to 13 with the 7950. So it would seem Radeon had to sacrifice some FPS for smoother game play (Worth it).

 

[jessterman21]

Well after rigorously searching the web looking at all benchmark comparisons I could find, the facts are contrary to your statement. The recent changes to Catalyst drivers have improved the 7950's latency issues, but still does not make the 7950 better than the GTX 660 TI (it seems even at best, with the GTX 660 ti having a slight advantage). But if you have any specific links to benchmark comparisons that show ***more than just flat out FPS averages***, I wouldn't mind taking a look. I can only find them on TechReport and all 4 that I've reviewed have clearly placed the GTX 660 TI ahead of the 7950.

EDIT: It's worth mentioning that TechReport found an average FPS drop from Catalyst 12 to 13 with the 7950. So it would seem Radeon had to sacrifice some FPS for smoother game play (Worth it).

Way to do your research - I've found the same thing. Excepting games with 8xMSAA at high resolutions, the 660Ti shows no weaknesses compared to the HD 7950 that is equipped with superior hardware. Unfortunately, the driver team at Nvidia is vastly superior to the team at AMD (who are admittedly getting better, but only after their inadequacy was shoved in their faces by TR's findings). AMD just can't milk nearly as much performance out of their cards.

 

[anthony8989]

Well after rigorously searching the web looking at all benchmark comparisons I could find, the facts are contrary to your statement. The recent changes to Catalyst drivers have improved the 7950's latency issues, but still does not make the 7950 better than the GTX 660 TI (it seems even at best, with the GTX 660 ti having a slight advantage). But if you have any specific links to benchmark comparisons that show ***more than just flat out FPS averages***, I wouldn't mind taking a look. I can only find them on TechReport and all 4 that I've reviewed have clearly placed the GTX 660 TI ahead of the 7950.

EDIT: It's worth mentioning that TechReport found an average FPS drop from Catalyst 12 to 13 with the 7950. So it would seem Radeon had to sacrifice some FPS for smoother game play (Worth it).

Way to do your research - I've found the same thing. Excepting games with 8xMSAA at high resolutions, the 660Ti shows no weaknesses compared to the HD 7950 that is equipped with superior hardware. Unfortunately, the driver team at Nvidia is vastly superior to the team at AMD (who are admittedly getting better, but only after their inadequacy was shoved in their faces by TR's findings). AMD just can't milk nearly as much performance out of their cards.

/agree

 

[AMKANMBA]

The only reason why i would choose to buy a gtx titan is when i'm buying three of them for 3-way sli. Mini itx is another reason?, talk about laptops if you're so inclined.

 

[L0tus]

The 770 is supreme. Absolutely no reason to look beyond this card. My 770 sli is crapping all over everything I throw at it. Welcome back Nvidia.

 

[Madn3ss795]

800$ and up : GTX770 in SLI, then GTX690.

 

[Memnarchon]

Discrete: GTX 590, 780 Discrete: HD 6990, 7970 GHz Ed.

Seriously? GTX780 in the same tier as 7970GE? I think its at least one tier higher...
From Tom's hardware 780 review which shows that 780 is far superior:

Conversely, the GeForce GTX 780 is faster in absolute terms, even though you pay more for every drop of extra speed. It’s quieter than 7970, it uses less power, it includes a number of tuner-friendly tools, and Nvidia has a really cool feature in ShadowPlay (too bad it isn’t available to test yet). The 780 is a much better-looking board, too. But an asking price of $650 is only a relief to someone who was about a pay a grand for Titan. By all other accounts, that’s still a big flippin’ number.

This isn’t the generational jump you see when a company updates its architecture on a smaller process node and hits you with more speed at a familiar price point. GeForce GTX 780 is a derivative of existing technology that drops its shoulder and charges its way into a new segment. Is it worth more than GeForce GTX 680 or Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition? Absolutely. But I would have rather seen the 780 at $550 or $600.

 

[CaptainTom]

The 780 should be on the same tier as the titan, and the 770 should be on the same tier as the 7970 GHz....

 

[fuzznarf]

Odd.. You recommend a 1GB GeForce 650 Ti for $130, but then admint that the 7790 is faster. Even though the 7790 is also $130 ($120 w rebate). It just seems like you felt obligated to recommend an NVidia card regardless. Bias much? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202029

 

[Memnarchon]

The 780 should be on the same tier as the titan, and the 770 should be on the same tier as the 7970 GHz....

+1
This is what I was trying to say...

 

[jessterman21]

The 780 should be on the same tier as the titan, and the 770 should be on the same tier as the 7970 GHz....

+1
This is what I was trying to say...

Absolutely. Btw, I keep a document saved on my computer with their chart on it - with my own corrections. I have the GTX 660Ti on the same tier as the HD 7950B, GTX 670 with HD 7970, GTX 770 with HD 7970 GHz, and the GTX 780 and Titan in the same teir.

 

[Memnarchon]

The 780 should be on the same tier as the titan, and the 770 should be on the same tier as the 7970 GHz....

+1
This is what I was trying to say...

Absolutely. Btw, I keep a document saved on my computer with their chart on it - with my own corrections. I have the GTX 660Ti on the same tier as the HD 7950B, GTX 670 with HD 7970, GTX 770 with HD 7970 GHz, and the GTX 780 and Titan in the same teir.

+1 again.
This would be a more appropriate Hierarchy chart.

 

[Fulgurant]

Absolutely. Btw, I keep a document saved on my computer with their chart on it - with my own corrections. I have the GTX 660Ti on the same tier as the HD 7950B, GTX 670 with HD 7970, GTX 770 with HD 7970 GHz, and the GTX 780 and Titan in the same teir.

Yeah, a lot of the divisions at the top of the new chart seem arbitrary. Of course, the chart isn't meant as a precision tool, but if you're gonna put the GTX 680 in a whole separate tier from a GTX 670 (a card that performs within ~6% of its immediate superior), then you basically have to put the 780 in a higher tier than the 7970GE.

Personally, I think there are just too many tiers at the top.

 

[Memnarchon]

Absolutely. Btw, I keep a document saved on my computer with their chart on it - with my own corrections. I have the GTX 660Ti on the same tier as the HD 7950B, GTX 670 with HD 7970, GTX 770 with HD 7970 GHz, and the GTX 780 and Titan in the same teir.

Yeah, a lot of the divisions at the top of the new chart seem arbitrary. Of course, the chart isn't meant as a precision tool, but if you're gonna put the GTX 680 in a whole separate tier from a GTX 670 (a card that performs within ~6% of its immediate superior), then you basically have to put the 780 in a higher tier than the 7970GE.

Personally, I think there are just too many tiers at the top.

You can't say there are too many tiers. People are paying a lot more for just one or two tiers, so they need to know that a $170 GPU is not equal with a $300 dollar one.
So the more the tiers exist, we have more in depth analysis so its better for us.

 

[Wisecracker]

There's not much more to add, except that, right now, this board is our gaming value favorite under $200. Because AMD's Radeon HD 7850 2 GB starts at $195, the GeForce takes our sole recommendation.

That's some serious cherry-picking, right there ....

 

[jessterman21]

There's not much more to add, except that, right now, this board is our gaming value favorite under $200. Because AMD's Radeon HD 7850 2 GB starts at $195, the GeForce takes our sole recommendation.

That's some serious cherry-picking, right there ....

IKR - starts at $160 from my vantage point...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161406

 

[Onus]

Going by the HardOCP review of it, the GTX650Ti is slightly but noticeably better than the HD7850. If it's also cheaper, then clearly it is the better choice.

 

[Kamen_BG]

Wow. i can't believe my eyes.
HD 7870 - a hard sell.
The HD 7870 can be found at 200$. It's faster than the GTX 660, comes with a better bundle, and gains much more performance through overclocking.
HIS HD 7870

You can get an overclocked HD 7790 with an amazing cooler and a very nice bundle for 129 dolars. This card is in every way shape or form superior to the GTX 650 Ti.
Sapphire HD 7790 OC

And then how in the world is the HD 7970 50$ more expensive than the GTX 770?
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=XFX-797ABC&c=CJ
The HD 7970 GHZ Edition is actually CHEAPER than the GTX 770.

Then, the HD 7870 XT you linked is actually not a 7870 XT.
And then honestly guys, the HD 7750 @ 90 dolars simply does not deserve a place on the list when a HD 7770 can be had for just 10 dolars more.

 

[dragonsqrrl]

Odd.. You recommend a 1GB GeForce 650 Ti for $130, but then admint that the 7790 is faster. Even though the 7790 is also $130 ($120 w rebate). It just seems like you felt obligated to recommend an NVidia card regardless. Bias much? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202029

The MSRP of the 7790 is $150 and many available cards still reflect that pricing. You can't just point to a single heavily discounted card as proof that the 7790 is priced the same as the 650 Ti. I could just as easily claim that the 650 Ti is priced even lower:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127725

... but fortunately that's not the way Tom's makes its recommendations.

 

[crimson87]

Hi , could you add the latest IGPU's to the chart like Intel 4600 , 5000 , 5100 and 5200 and Richland?

 

[wiimonkey9]

I don't see how the 7950 boost is better than an msi 660ti power edition.

 

[slomo4sho]

Why is the GeForce GTX 650 Ti the best card for $130? The HD 7790 has been at this price point for the last month...