Radeon HD 7870 vs NVIDIA GTX 660

[JD1993]

So I've been looking for a graphics card for around $250 with 2gb of VRAM, and be able to handle newer games at some decent level. I've been looking at the Radeon HD 7870 and the NVIDIA GTX 660. I'd be running two monitors (both DVI), one at 1650 x 1050 and 1440 x 900. I plan to upgrade to full 1080p monitors later, but I'd also be upgrading to a much higher end graphics card with that. I primarily play LoL, Starcraft 2, and DOTA 2, however, I also play a lot of new games with high graphics. Which card would be better for me?

 

[legendkiller]

Are you doing any 3D or surround gaming? If your doing 3D gaming get Nvidia but if your doing surround get AMD. Nvidia is way better at 3D gaming than AMD and AMD offers 3GB which is great for surround... 2GB is more than enough for a 1080p(1920x1080) so I'd prefer GTx 660 over 7870 in my opinion because in Startcraft 2, GTx 660 get way more FPS than 7870
Check out these games on the link below, no Dota 2 or LoL because their graphic are low, not even close to intense
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/548?vs=660

 

[rwayne]

AMD is typically better at Multi-monitor setups however I doubt you would notice an appreciable difference between the two.

From the reviews I have read on Tom's Hardware the 7870 competes more so with the GTX 660 ti than the 660. Per the most recent publication the 7870 is listed as the best video card for the money for the ~ $175-$250 segment.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-4.html

 

[rwayne]

I need to retract my last post.
I can't argue with LegendKiller.

Look at this review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6276/nvidia-geforce-gtx-660-review-gk106-rounds-out-the-kepler-family/11

As a result Starcraft II now favors NVIDIA’s cards even more so now than it did before, making this an easy win for the GTX 660. At 1920 the GTX 660 beats the 7870 by 37%, and once more even the 7950 falls behind.

At 1680 x 1050 the results are even more powerful. 180.4 fraps vs 118.2

 

[JD1993]

What is the difference between the 660 and the 660 TI? Is it any noticeable difference for $50?

 

[hytecgowthaman]

Click the below link to know more info about both gpus by comparing : http://www.hwcompare.com/13302/geforce-gtx-660-vs-radeon-hd-7870/
List by high speed to low
http://www.hwcompare.com/
This enough in nvidia gpus
http://www.hwcompare.com/9265/geforce-gtx-580-3gb/

 

[hytecgowthaman]

What is the difference between the 660 and the 660 TI? Is it any noticeable difference for $50?

http://www.hwcompare.com/13624/geforce-gtx-650-ti-vs-geforce-gtx-660/

 

[hytecgowthaman]

Buy Amd 7950 for hd multi monitor setup.(better)
or
Nvidia 580 3gb.

 

[geofelt]

If you are gaming on a single monitor, connecting a second monitor does not add any load or hurt gaming.
If you will get into triple monitor gaming, then you will likely need sli/cf or a significantly stronger card for great results.

There seems to be an issue with consistency of response times which are not adequately brought out by simple FPS benchmarks.
Read this article on a comparison of a GTX660ti and 7950.
I suspect the analysis will be applicable to a GTX660 vs 7870 too:
http://techreport.com/review/23981/radeon-hd-7950-vs-geforce-gtx-660-ti-revisited

 

[legendkiller]

Just get GTx 660 since you dont play those games like Dirt 3 or Far Cry 3.. Starcraft 2 will get more FPS with 660 than 7870, these other people base it on tomshardware's best money but what they dont see is the games that you play... 660Ti is not needed for those low end gaming except Starcraft 2 that you listed which can be played 120FPS+ on a 1080p monitor...

 

[JD1993]

Alright so I think I'll get the 660. However, will I be able to run it on my 500w power supply? Or do I need to upgrade that.

 

[geofelt]

Alright so I think I'll get the 660. However, will I be able to run it on my 500w power supply? Or do I need to upgrade that.

You are good; a GTX660 only needs 430W.
Here is a handy chart:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

 

[sam_p_lay]

If you are gaming on a single monitor, connecting a second monitor does not add any load or hurt gaming.
If you will get into triple monitor gaming, then you will likely need sli/cf or a significantly stronger card for great results.

There seems to be an issue with consistency of response times which are not adequately brought out by simple FPS benchmarks.
Read this article on a comparison of a GTX660ti and 7950.
I suspect the analysis will be applicable to a GTX660 vs 7870 too:
http://techreport.com/review/23981/radeon-hd-7950-vs-geforce-gtx-660-ti-revisited

+1 to all of that.

 

[DarkDubzs]

i have basically the same question, i dont know whether to get a SuperClocked GeForce GTX 660 2GB or a Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB. I would be using it for games like Skyrim, Crysis 3, Saints Row 3, GTA 5, Saints Row 4, Battlefield 3 and other performance intensive games like that. Hoping to get around 60 fps on high or ultra. Which card would be best for those needs? Any help?

 

[smeezekitty]

What is the difference between the 660 and the 660 TI? Is it any noticeable difference for $50?

There is quite a significant difference between the Ti version and non-Ti