Need advice on which gpu to get 6870 6850 7770

[Norlag]

I would really appreciate some advice on which graphics card to get. I plan to build my first pc in a couple weeks and I would love some advice.

I plan to play games like TF2, LOL, Planetside 2, and other somewhat demanding games.

My budget for a video card is about $140 but less would be great. I would prefer to buy from newegg.

What I plan on getting:



AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
Western Digital WD Green WD10EZRX 1TB IntelliPower SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply
SONY Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1681S-0B - OEM
... and a nzxt guardian 921 blue case

on newegg there is a refurbished 6850 for $105, a refurbished 6870 for $130, and 7770s for $130. I'm leaning toward the 6870 but I'm worried about it being refurbished.

Thanks for any help.

p.s. If you have any suggestions about the rest of the parts I would be glad to hear it.

 

[alvine]

get a 7770 as it gives you dx11 while the 6xxx series dont

 

[spentshells]

keep saving a 7850 1 or 2 GB is only another 20

 

[Norlag]

keep saving a 7850 1 or 2 GB is only another 20

How much better would the 2 gb be compared to the 1 gb

 

[yamahahornist]

get a 7770 as it gives you dx11 while the 6xxx series dont

Where are you getting your facts?? The 6xxx series has Dx11 lol

 

[yamahahornist]

I would get the 6870, its way better then the 7770; the 6870 just uses a little more power!

http://www.hwcompare.com/11925/radeon-hd-6850-vs-radeon-hd-7770/

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=540

Were you looking at this one --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202020

That's a really good deal btw, you shouldn't have any issues; newegg is pretty good with there graphic cards!

 

[AlienIsGOD]

with the 12.11 beta's, a 7770 is on par with a 6850. So your choices should be a 7770 or a 6870. i vote 6870 as it has a lil more omph than a 7770.

 

[Norlag]

I would get the 6870, its way better then the 7770; the 6870 just uses a little more power!

http://www.hwcompare.com/11925/radeon-hd-6850-vs-radeon-hd-7770/

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=540

Were you looking at this one --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202020

That's a really good deal btw, you shouldn't have any issues; newegg is pretty good with there graphic cards!

Thanks, that was what I was considering. Thanks for the help!

 

[alvine]

ups my bad about the dx11

 

[Norlag]

Best answer selected by Norlag.

 

[yamahahornist]

How much better would the 2 gb be compared to the 1 gb

I DON'T recommend the 78xx cards due to the issues on the card itself! You may get better performance and frames, but they have A TON of voltage issues and frame latency! At that price range I would just go with Nvidia; a GTX 660 or 660ti

I had a 7870 from Msi (extremely well build cards) and within the first few days the card: wouldn't overclock, would freeze in games, and the drives would always crash!

I returned it and got an Msi 660ti and haven't had a problem since! All games max settings, 60+fps. The card has FXAA built in (makes games look very pretty). AND IT OVERCLOCKS ITSELF!!!! If it sees that you have extra power and the temps are low, it will overclock itself (VERY STABLE)

Ok enough of my Nvidia Rant If your looking to play games built 2008~2011 then get the 6870; you will be fine, but If you want to plays games build 2012+ you WILL need (Ultra settings) a 2gb card. The 6870 WILL play 2012+ but at mid~high settings, it will be hard to squeeze Ultra out of it!

Good Luck! The graphics card is always the hardest to pick, but the most fun when you get it!

 

[determinologyz]

I DON'T recommend the 78xx cards due to the issues on the card itself! You may get better performance and frames, but they have A TON of voltage issues and frame latency! At that price range I would just go with Nvidia; a GTX 660 or 660ti

I had a 7870 from Msi (extremely well build cards) and within the first few days the card: wouldn't overclock, would freeze in games, and the drives would always crash!

I returned it and got an Msi 660ti and haven't had a problem since! All games max settings, 60+fps. The card has FXAA built in (makes games look very pretty). AND IT OVERCLOCKS ITSELF!!!! If it sees that you have extra power and the temps are low, it will overclock itself (VERY STABLE)

Ok enough of my Nvidia Rant If your looking to play games built 2008~2011 then get the 6870; you will be fine, but If you want to plays games build 2012+ you WILL need a 2gb card. The 6870 WILL play 2012+ but at mid~high settings, it will be hard to squeeze Ultra out of it!

Good Luck! The graphics card is always the hardest to pick, but the most fun when you get it!

I hear the 79xx has steady framerate problems to..This is kinda why i havent went ati. Im not saying i ever would because i would love to try they cards out just atm with all the complaints about the steady frames on the ati cards im a bit holding back.

 

[yamahahornist]

On BF3, Ultra preset , the 6870 will get 40~60fps so you will be fine! I just looked it up