Graphics Or SSD

[VladimirSchutz]

Hello guys, Christmas is coming and with that I am able to buy a new piece for my rig!

Here is the problem, I currently own a Sapphire 7870 GHz edition. I am not sure whether to buy a new graphics card or the Samsung 840 evo 1tb ssd.

The SSD is around $690 here in Australia.
My friends have told me that playing at 1920 x 1080p I don't really need a better graphics card and to go for the ssd.

On the other hand that's $690 I could throw into a GPU.

What do you guys think?

 

[rolli59]

Well if you are happy with the performance of the HD7870 then you do not need better GPU but there are many that would want stronger card and higher in game details. I use a small SSD (240GB) just for OS and programs and use HDD for my storage so really what are your plans for the 1TB SSD since its benefit is just short read/write times.

 

[VladimirSchutz]

Well if you are happy with the performance of the HD7870 then you do not need better GPU but there are many that would want stronger card and higher in game details. I use a small SSD (240GB) just for OS and programs and use HDD for my storage so really what are your plans for the 1TB SSD since its benefit is just short read/write times.

The 1Tb SSD would replace my current 1TB HDD completely.
I will also be installing windows 8.1 onto the SSD.

 

[fnatic]

What kind of money are you willing to spend and why do you need a SSD of that size? Also what kind of results are you looking for with the GPU. Do you want all games on Ultra and such or what? Do you already have an SSD and just a bigger one for what ever reason?

I'd recommend getting a GPU and a 250gb SSD. Depending on the GPU you choose you'll be able to get both for the price of the 1tb SSD. I'd suggest a 780 and the 250gb EVO. It'll be basically the same price.

 

[Jaime3d]

Holy crap, 1TB SSD? Do you honestly need that much space on an SSD?

The best benefit of an SSD is faster boot time and faster application loading. If you are handling LARGE files for say video editing, then you would see an improvement there - but the price per GB of SSD is seriously not there yet. Most people and myself would suggest that you use an SSD for your boot drive and if you've got the space then some apps. Buy a 120GB SSD and put your OS and main apps on it and your PC will fly - you'll get most of the benefits out of the SSD and you'll save a ton of money.

OR, what you could do (which is what I do) I have 256GB Samsung 840 that I put my OS on and all of my main apps. Now, it's not big enough for all of my games, but I only play a couple of games at a time typically. So what I do is install Steam, and all of my other games on a large HDD, then use Windows mklink and copy the games that I am currently playing to SSD. When I'm done with the game, or stop playing it as much, I move the game back to HDD to free up space for another game I'll more commonly play. It's great, and mklink makes it easy and seamless to do such. You can save that money to upgrade to the new generation of video cards when they come out next year. Good luck

 

[vaughn2k]

Hello VladimirSchutz,
If I were in your shoes, I would go for an SSD at the moment (where I assume you do not have one). An HD7870 Ghz Edition is already a very fast graphics card that is able to play most games at typical 1920x1080p resolution at considerably high settings (sometimes, maxed out all the settings with no lower than 30fps on most games). Advantage of having an SSD, compuer startup is faster, loading games is much much faster, startup applications is also much much faster, ust enugh for you to stand-up ad stretch...

 

[Hazle]

honestly, i wouldn't spend so much on storage at least not that much for 1TB. the point of an SSD, at least for the casual users is the faster boot time, application load time and load times in some games. 120gb is more than plenty, though considering your budget, 250gb + a better GPU is possible;

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($175.00 @ CPL Online)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($399.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Total: $574.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-16 17:54 EST+1100)

you should be able to fit in a 1-2tb HDD for storage, maybe with a bit of compromise, like going for a 120gb ssd.

maybe get back a few bucks by selling your 7870 for cheap.

 

[VladimirSchutz]

So then guys, a 250gb ssd with what graphics card?

Ive kind of always stuck with AMD but im really not too sure..

EDIT: $700 BUDGET!
Nothing higher.

 

[In3rt1a]

If you have $700 to spend, pick up a 250gb ssd for $150-$200 and pick up a gtx 780. Or, if you want to stick with amd, get an r9 290 (though I would recommend waiting for some aftermarket heating solutions first).

 

[Hazle]

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn770oc2gd

cheapest non-reference GTX770 based on PCPP's info if you prefer to try out Nvidia.