Windows 7: Choosing a GFX Card for Christmas (GTX 560 - HD 6870)

Hidy ho, Forum! i'm a little confused by now

Yesterday i got 200$ for "free" (my best girl-friend who i usually help with PC stuff, and basically everything)

She gave me a 200$ Amazon Gift Card as my "christmas present" and literally told me: "I know that you'll buy something for your PC this christmas, so.. here"

I want to buy a nicer graphics card.. i'm even willing to spend the 200$ on a single graphics card but here's the situation:

1) I've done a LOT of research and i've realized that the HD 6870 is about 5 ~ 8% faster than the GTX 560 and they're the same price (180$)

2) The last time i used an AMD Graphics card was a really old Radeon 9550 and it wasn't bad at all, but i got used to Nvidia since the 8000 Series



3) I'm stuck between those 2 options, unless there's some kind of January sale and I could get a GTX 560Ti or an HD 6950 1GB for 200$

4) I'm stuck with Amazon! I know they don't have the best prices but hey, something is something, I can't buy in Newegg because I live outside the US.

Throw me a bone here, any HD 6870 or GTX 560 owners on the forum, please post your experiences i don't want to make a mistake buying one or the other...

Thanks in advanced
Cheers.

Personally I have a GTX 560 Ti and would always recommend an nvidia card over ati, call me a homer but I've never had a problem with mine.

Well I've always been an Nvidia fan so here's a GTX 560TI Lots to choose from
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_13/280-7919533-6992058?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=graphic+cards&sprefix=Graphic+cards#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=nvidia+gtx+560+ti+2gb&sprefix=Nvidia+gtx+560+Ti&rh=n%3A340831031%2Ck%3Anvidia+gtx+560+ti+2g b
Or the Sapphire Radeon 6870 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-11179-09-20G-6870-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B004R7MTPQ/ref=sr_1_14?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1323593006&sr=1-14

I guess it really depends on what your used to and what your MB supports. Crossfire or SLI and if your interested in eventually buying a second card.

Another thing I have found over the years to be important is the manufacturer and warranty.

Reason being is Graphic cards seem to have a higher rate of failure than other system parts.

So having a good warranty and a company with easy RMA poicies is important.

I myself am also looking to upgrade to a DX11 card and am on the fence for the first time.

My 2 cents
Fabe

i wouldnt get hung up on brand. its understandable when it comes to CPU's as intel currently have the better bang for buck.

But with graphics cards either Nvidia or AMD have cards that out perform the other.

I chop and change brand whenever i feel i can get better performance for my money. currently i have an AMD XFX 6950 2gb. it sits around the same level of performance as a gtx 570, but costs less. Seemed a good buy to me!

Ok, basically i've narrowed it down to these 2 models:

1) EVGA GTX 560 (Non-Ti): Amazon.com: EVGA GeForce GTX 560 1024 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card, 01G-P3-1460-KR: Electronics

Reasons? The "Ti" version costs 235$ and i'm exactly limited to 200$ so i guess i could use the 20 extra bucks to buy some NZXT extension cables that I definitely need.

2) Sapphire HD6870: Amazon.com: SAPPHIRE HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 PCIE Graphics Card: Computers & Accessories

Reasons? I've had Sapphire on the past and it's GREAT, plus... it has an HDMI port, which the GTX 560 doesn't (it only has M-HDMI and EVGA doesn't provide the mini-HDMI to HDMI adapter, it only provides it in the "Ti" model which is out of my current budget

And finally...

ASUS' versions of both cards

GTX 560: Amazon.com: ASUS GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card, ENGTX560 DC/2DI/1GD5: Electronics
HD 6870: Amazon.com: ASUS Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express Dual DVI/HDMI Video Card with Eyefinity EAH6870 DC/2DI2S/1GD5: Electronics

How about that?

Hi Punkster,

I assume you will be using it with the monitor in your system specs?

If so then what with it having a resolution of 1366 x 768 then either of the cards will work very well on all the latest games, I certainly would not worry about getting the non 'ti' version of the 560.

Paul.

Nopes, Paul! i already have a 23" LG W2353V 1920 x 1080 with HDMI, but believe me, i won't be doing any hardcore gaming, maybe a few ones but nothing too dramatic

I haven't had the time to set it up because mi PC module is not wide enough to fit the monitor, i have to buy a new one!

Well I have 2 friends who both own HD 6870s and both enjoy battlefield 3 on high settings.

I cannot comment on the 560 as mine is a 'ti'


I don't suppose it matters as you won't be going crazy with games but I am sure they will both play the latest ones fine.

I don't recall reading bad things about either.

The difference between AMD and Nvidia cards right now is the design of the HDMI and DVI ports ATI has made it more simple to set up multi screens with out burden

also i have no use for the mini ports they have id rather use the Original Hdmi connection ,Price wise Nvidia will always cost more Because they set the Video card standard ATI is not far away that's for sure ,I own a hd6870 and been happy with it

Don't think of your choice as branded choice but what would perform better for you and which games you choose to play that should be the ultimate factor in your card quest

he is right! But the really great thing is there is a real popular hack out there that will make your 6850, 2GB into a true 6870 ! But NOT for a 1 GB ! And if you are going to do any bit-coin mining, AMD is the only way to go. Google it!