What Should Choose Nvidia 660 or AMD 7870?

G

Guest

Guest
Hi i am looking for a complete upgrade of the main parts: CPU, GPU, Mobo. However Im 13, but im a extremely knowledgeable when it comes to computer stuff ie fixing computers, building etc but as i have been looking for new parts for my build i have found lots of different people saying different things about both, intel/AMD and Nvidia/AMD (or ATI whtever). anyways i am currently looking on overclockers at: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-337-AM (AMD PileDriver Fx-8), http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-312-SP (sapphire 7870 XT) , http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-060-AK (ASrock extreme Mobo).

They are my parts and i am very willing to choose different things like i5 or likewise. Im looking to play eery game on ultra and my budget is around £400-500 for the CPU GPU And Mobo.

Thanks
 

Sandouby_96

Honorable
Nov 19, 2012
67
0
10,640
grab the cheapest or the one that comes with the better game bundles , both cards are nealy equal the 7870 might be slightly better in a way u'll never benefit from .
I think u should go for the i5 too
 

JKatwyopc

Distinguished
Can you provide your current system specs? That will influence any recommendations. Also, it would help if you fill out this form: How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice.

Based on what you have there, I have one specific question. Do you have at least 4GB RAM (8GB is preferred) and is it DDR3 (preferably DDR3 1333 or faster)?

You will get excellent playability on almost any game with the Radeon HD 7870 Graphics card. Some games may require a little less than maximum settings but the difference is almost unnoticable.

Here's a slightly cheaper build using similar parts to yours for you to consider;
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor (£125.40 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£25.45 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard (£80.97 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£29.98 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card (£187.42 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £449.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-01 18:41 GMT+0000)

And here's is a comparable Intel build that may perform slightly better in some games(CPU intensive): PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£161.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£25.45 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£101.98 @ Dabs)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£31.38 @ Scan.co.uk)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card (£187.42 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £508.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-01 18:46 GMT+0000)
 
G

Guest

Guest
i currently have:
Intel Pentium Dual core e5800
4gb ddr3 1333 RAM
Gigabyte Gt 430

I manage to run most games on around medium settings but looking for a better performance (more fps, higher settings).

Im not sure about a CPU cooler because its £30 and as i say im on a budget so im trying to keep the costs down as much as possible. I was looking at;
Intel i5 3570k
Asus Mobo or ASrock dosent really matter, Does it? all i want is 4 ram slots and im happy
660 ti or 7850/70

But on the amd side i was looking at;
AMD 8320
ASRock extreme mobo
7870
and 8gb of dual channel ram if possible.
 
G

Guest

Guest
im also looking for much better cpu performance because using stuff that i do ie Cinema 4d Sony Vegas After effects etc my cpu maxes pretty much straight away when rendering
 

yamahahornist

Distinguished
Feb 1, 2012
317
0
18,810
Ok if your overclocking go the gtx 660, but if your going to keep it at stock go the 7870. I just bought a 7870 and when ever I overclocked it, it would bsod. But at stock speeds it was fin. I also had some latency issues with it, where the card would shutter and year at 60 fps (even with v-sync) If you can spend a little more get the MSI 660ti.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127696

The memory interface is 192-bits so AA won't be as good, but it has its own FXAA (from the drivers) ans at stock it smashes the 7870. With a little overclock it can hit a GXT 670!

Also I don't recommend the Fx 8350, the i5 are still out performing the Fx cards. Look into a i5 2500k or i5 2570k

The Fx 8350 will run your games, but games like BF3 and GW2 will not run the greatest in heavy populated areas!
 
G

Guest

Guest
ok i think ill go with a intel i5 3570k and a MSI Z77A-GD55 Intel Z77 motherboard (picking one up off ebay for £60 hardly used!)
If you look at this quickly here is a i7 2600k http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-CPU-Fan-99p-NR-/190772269756?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33%26meid%3D4612872561968724176%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D1031%26rk%3D1%26
I wonder if there is a difference in this and the 2500k? i know there isnt much of a difference but this has more features? by the way i might not be able to bet a 660 straight away so what shall i do in the mean time get a 3570k and use intel graphics? or try get cheaper parts off ebay and try get the graphics if possible?
 
I'd definitely take the i5 and GTX660. Do you know these retailers?

scan.co.uk
dabs.com
aria.co.uk
novatech.co.uk
ebuyer.com

Generally better prices than Overclockers, and cheaper (or free) delivery. As for i5/i7 differences, it's mainly hyperthreading. That can speed things up in non-gaming software, but won't do much to help your framerates in today's games (future games may be a different story looking at Crysis 3). Ivy Bridge isn't adding much at all over Sandy Bridge (except in integrated graphics, where there's a large improvement with HD4000) but they're not costing more, so I'd grab an Ivy Bridge i5.
 

Sumukh_Bhagat

Honorable
Nov 11, 2012
1,524
0
11,960
This should be good if you are buying a Complete new system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (£144.00 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (£71.05 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£36.67 @ Dabs)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card (£166.39 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£81.49 @ Ebuyer)
Total: £499.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 
i can say im very happy with my i5 3570 and gtx660. plays everything very smooth with max settings, no stuttering, although i have not tried farcry 3. I would highly recommend it. You could spend a bit more on the gpu if you want to be a little more futureproof.
 

TheAterix

Honorable
Jan 5, 2013
421
0
10,810
Hi I am going to buy the processor in the next few weeks and was just wondering before i buy should i just use the onboard hd 4000 or my gt 430 because obviously dedicated is better but ive heard some good things about hd 4000