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I recently had to upgrade some computer parts and I am looking to upgrade my video card. I run an i5 3570k, 8GB of RAM, 128 SSD, and use a 22 inch tv for my monitor. My current card is a EVGA GTX 260 Core 216. I am looking for some suggestions on what I should look at for an upgrade. I would like to stick with Nvidia and I mainly just play FFXIV.
Do you have a price range in mind?
You can probably pick up a 550 GTX relatively cheap now a days, I personally run a 770 GTX which is a little beefier but also costs a little more. Either should be more than adequate to run XIV in my opinion.
The new R9s have some issues at the moment. Thus-
$150, Radeon 7850 2gb.
$200, GTX 660.
$250, GTX 760.
GTX 660 is your best bet for value performance. It will run this game fantastically at maximum settings rarely dipping below 35 FPS.
The 650 Ti Boost is pretty legit for being under 200USD. I bought my roommate one and he hasn't had a problem with it. Smashes through anything thrown at it.
Because you have a GTX260 (I also have the same), do not get anything below a GTX 660. The 650 is on par with the 260, but the 660 blows it away.
**EDIT** I'd just like to add that there's a few below the 650 that would actually outperform it, but they're more expensive than getting a GTX770.
Nvidia 760 or 770
I went with the 770 and very very happy with it.
But if it's a choice between 660 or 660ti spend the extra $20 and get the 760.
Thanks for the input! I don't really have a budget right now because I am saving for it. I would like to stay under $300 though because I really only play FFXIV but may try CoD or BF4 at some point.
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GDDR5...&keywords=280x
this card is pretty beastly, its a rebranded 7970 card which i own, i have a similar system minus the card you own, and i dont drop below 60 fps in any instanced content, and the settings are quite high
also in regards to BF4 which i also own, when it comes to 64 player conquest, will all settings on high at 1080p, with texture on ultra, i dont drop below 60 fps in game action, single player goes meh, you can prob stretch on all ultra if you can deal with dips below 60 fps, but thats unacceptable to me personally
I upgraded from a gtx 260 to a 660 and I am SUPER pleased with this video card.
i should add, if your budget is $300, the 770 is roughly the same performance or rather, its the AMD 280x/7970 twin on performance, a 760 gets eaten alive by the AMD 280x, the 770 is more expensive and you dont get any better performance, also must add, BF4 runs better on a AMD card then nvidia in the given price point, and seems FF14 clients prefers AMD gpus
Hmmm. Well given that you said you'd like to stick with Nvidia, and that you're thinking of playing Battlefield 4, I would suggest an EVGA GTX 760 at $250.
While the GTX 770 and Radeon R9 280x are both better, each is slightly higher than your price point with the GTX 770 being $75-120 more than the GTX 760 and the R9 280x priced at $50-120 more.
Personally, I'd wait till Black Friday or Cyber Monday and then start shopping around for the higher end cards. Typically both Amazon.com and Newegg.com will have terrific deals on those days, usually with 15-35% off select cards.
Of course, you can never beat the prices at a Micro Center and I would highly suggest you check there before anywhere else if you live close by one (their online store is actually pretty bad, so if you don't live near one don't even bother buying from them because the deals are in the stores themselves, not the online outlet).
The main reason I stick with Nvidia is because I have had nothing but problems with AMD in the past. Thank you for all the input everyone