Replacement for dying GTX 280

[scibuff]

Hello guys,

I'm in the process of building a completely new rig but will need to wait 2-6 weeks until all ordered parts arrived (become available) and unfortunately the GTX 280 (4.5 years old) on my current computer is acting up

I've already replaced my old the PSU (which was probably a good decision regardless of the issue) with Corsair VS650 but I keep experiencing the problems (although not as often since I've down-clocked the gpu a little).

I'll be only playing SWTOR @ 1680x1050 until April-May when my new right is complete (this one will then be used only for not very gpu-intensive gaming - I'm not too much in games like BF3). With GTX 280 I've been able to play at full setting so I'm looking for a similar experience with the replacement card. I would like to not spend more than €100.

Options I'm considering:

GTX 650 (€100) - GIGABYTE N650OC-1GI
GTX 650 TI (€130) - GIGABYTE N650TOC-1GI
HD 7770 (€130) - SAPPHIRE HD 7770 VAPOR-X OC

these two are too expensive (for this purpose - I'm getting GTX 680 for the new rig)
GTX 660 (€180)
HD 7850 (€170)


I've seen the benchmarks/reviews which tend to agree that 650 TI > HD 7770 > 650 with small differences. I'd prefer to stay with NVidia and tends to lean to 650 (non TI). I'd like to hear what you guys think. Considering all this, do you think the extra €30 is worth it for the TI / HD keeping in mind that the difference is not that big and that I'll have a brand new rig in 2-3 months?

Thank you

p.s. The rest of the rig

mobo: Asus P5KC
cpu: Q6600 Kentsfield (6-F-B) @ 3.0 GHz (1.325V)
hs: coolermaster 212+ evo
ram: 4xCM2X6400 (8GB) 800MHz 5-5-5-18 (1.8V)
psu: Corsair Vs 650

 

[scibuff]

I'm really just wondering if 660 and 7850 are a overkill to play SWTOR (and no other game) on full setting @ 1680x1050 res. I'm mean I dont really need more than ~40fps to be happy.

 

[Supernova1138]

Well, you are looking at a sidegrade at best if you go for the GTX 650, maybe even slightly slower than what you have now. The 650 is in the same performance tier as the 280, only difference being the 650 is much more power efficient and has DirectX 11 support. I suppose the 650 will be okay if you are looking for a temporary placeholder card while you wait to build a whole new system. If you want more performance than what you currently get while you are waiting, aim for something higher than the 650.