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MindALot

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: possibly this weekend.

BUDGET RANGE: USD $200 after all discounts

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: games

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: GPU GIGABYTE|GV-R585D5-1GD-B R
Power : SeaSonic M12II 650 SS-650AM 650W ATX12V

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: remaking main computer (motherboard/memory/cpu) so details not quite known. Most likely quad core something at least 3.5 Ghtz (either high end AMD or i5 intel).

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: none

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: wondering if a small step up from my current graphics card to something more recent near $200 would really make a noticeable difference.

Thanks !!
 
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I agree with coffee. I currently own a Sapphire 5850, and am looking to upgrade. I don't think the jump to a 6950, or any currently priced $200 card is really worth it. You'd need to move to a 7850 or better imo, and those run around $250-300. For 5850 owners like us, upgrading requires a significant bump in price. We really need to get into the $300-400 priced cards to really make an upgrade worth while.

coffeecoffee

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There is also the option of getting a 6950 2GB. It's $229 + Free Shipping / Before $30 Rebate. Even this is barely a significant performance gain; maybe 25% in best case scenario in specific games. Your current 5850 as it's still a very capable card and can run most modern games at high/medium settings up to 1080p. I would recommend you to wait about a month or two until Nvidia and AMD release more of their mid-range cards [i.e There is nothing in between the 7770 and 7850 - HUGE performance/price gap here and the lack of the 660TI on the market playing field]. Sorry to disappoint you but until Nvidia and AMD offers more options and possibly drop prices, there is no worthy upgrade at the $200 mark.

5850 vs 6950 2GB
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/512?vs=510

~Coffee
 

real world

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I agree with coffee. I currently own a Sapphire 5850, and am looking to upgrade. I don't think the jump to a 6950, or any currently priced $200 card is really worth it. You'd need to move to a 7850 or better imo, and those run around $250-300. For 5850 owners like us, upgrading requires a significant bump in price. We really need to get into the $300-400 priced cards to really make an upgrade worth while.
 
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