New Gpu... Help me pick one.

[diluzio91]

So I'm getting a new graphics card, my budget for the card is $300, and ill be water cooling it eventually, so reference PCB is a must.

Recommended me an nvidia card please. Most of my games are Physix enabled, and playing on my 6850, while fun and pleasurable, just isn't the same. Whats the best bang for my buck. I won't be using SLI, and i have a phenom2x4 clocked at 4.3 GHZ. I know ATI cards are good, but for this instance i want to go with nvidia. unless theres an extremely convincing argument for ATI that would convince me to give up physix and cuda for folding.

I'm currently running a 6850, so it must be a good step up from that. If i dont have to spend all 300 thats okay.

I have to be able to watercool it!! I cant go back to the fan noise of an aircooled card. lol... also, i have no desire to pay for a "factory OC" card when 5 min with tuning software does the same thing.

No fanboyism, now.... Fight!!

[farlo]

this might help some, http://www.hwcompare.com/

[DynamoNED]

If your budget ceiling is $300, you basically can't go wrong with any of the new GTX 560 Ti's, as all but the most overclocked cards go for $250, and since you want stock clocks and reference PCB's, you could probably find them for less than that.

This Sparkle GTX 560 Ti is on Newegg for $229 right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187136

If you don't mind going previous-gen nVidia, then you can usually find new GTX 470's for about $260. I found another Sparkle card for $235, but with rebates it is $205. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187110

Hope this is helpful!

[Kayin]

I just picked up a 465 flashable to 470 for 139 on the Egg. It's the PNY recertified, and a lot of people are saying that they're just plain getting 470s in the box. It's not a bad deal at all.

[TheGreatSatan]

Aren't PNY recert cards old BFG's?

[x88x]

I just picked up a 465 flashable to 470 for 139 on the Egg. It's the PNY recertified, and a lot of people are saying that they're just plain getting 470s in the box. It's not a bad deal at all.

Heheh, if the batch were all the same, I happen to know for a fact that the flash works on them. :whistler: I'm kinda wishing I got a couple for myself as well...oh well.

[diluzio91]

Just did some measurements. at best i can fit a 9.5 inch card without having to move my reservoir... So the 560 just pulled out ahead... should i stick to evga? is there another brand for nvidia cards that covers watercooling? i plan to rip the airsink off the day a full cover block hits the market.

[x88x]

Personally I've had a very good experience with EVGA and I know a lot of other people have as well. Just make sure you register the card within 30 days of purchase, otherwise the warranty isn't officially valid. Also, keep in mind their product number codes (last 2 characters):
-RX are B-Stock and recertified products, these carry a limited 90 day warranty.

-BR, -B1, -BX, -DR come with a 1 year warranty.

-LA, -LE, -LR, -LX, -T1, -TR, -TX, -T2 are eligible for a 2 year limited warranty if registered within 30 days of purchase.

-K1, -KR products are eligible for a 3 year limited warranty if registered within the first 30 days of purchase.

-GR products are eligible for a 5 year limited warranty if registered within the first 30 days of purchase.

-A1, -A2, -A3, -A4, -AR, -AX, -CR, -CX, -DX, -FR, -FX, -SG, -SX models are eligible for the step-up program and carry a limited lifetime warranty upon registration within 30 days of purchase.

Basically, get a card from the last group if you can. ;)

[diluzio91]

Cool. Ill probably just buy from eggs and take advantage of their free shipping