Best Value Video Card Recommendation?

Charr

New Member
Whenever I buy a video card, I always, always, always buy the wrong one. Either I buy it at a stupid store, for some ridiculous price for a bad card, or I buy from a reputable place, but I cheap out. I really need replace my current card, which I'm giving to my mom, whose currently using an integrated graphics chip (Eww).

The games I'm currently playing on my PC are WoW, CS, SC2, Team Fortress 2, and random assortments of games I try out. I really want this video card to at least be a little future proof. I don't want the next big game to come out and find out "SHIT I'M GETTING 2 FPS!". I have in the past always used ATI, though I'm not really opposed to NVIDIA. I would like one which has at least 1 HDMI slot. I'm also using 2 monitors at the moment.

For roughly $200-300 what would you recommend? Don't be scared to go above $300 if you feel its necessary/worth it.

One I'm currently eyeing up:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161332
 
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The best bang for buck card right now is the GTX 460 1Gb. but your power supplt will need to be able to accomodate it.
 
What PSU have you got?

5850 would be a good choice for that budget, but compare to the cheapest GIGABYTE GV-R585OC-1GD, I am not sure if HIS worth the extra money.
 
As long as your PSU is decent, GTX460 1GB or HD 5850; whatever fits your budget best. While the HD 5830 isn't a bad card, GTX460 1GB destroys it, and the 768MB version trades blows with it, for much cheaper. nVidias first decent current- Fermi card, defo. Also, stay away from GTX465. Just don't buy it. Slower than GTX460 and more expensive, runs hotter, uses more power. For your budget, this is the order I'd choose them (if I had to choose 1st choice, 2nd etc.)
GTX460 1GB > HD5850 > GTX460 768MB > HD5830 > GTX465
Note: the above reccomendation are based on bang-for-buck, not performance. Performance-wise, it's something like this:

HD5850>GTX460 1GB>All the others give around the same performance as each other, just stay away from the 465:good:
 
Very good PSU Aastii posted, while there are better ones that will fit into your budget, it would be pushing it a bit, and the wattage on the one posted is fine for your system. That's assuming your PSU is rubbish, which it might not be
 
What brand and model power supply do you have?

To be honest, my PSU is the only unit in my computer which is still stock. It probably isn't amazing but up until this point its done well. If it comes down to me having to replace it, I don't have a problem replacing it. Its old, and needs to be changed soon anyways.
You can also fit a decent power supply with in budget should be it needed:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817151094

Actually my PSU is basically identical to that one. So cross my fingers, I wont have to upgrade it when I get a new GPU. I still plan to buy a new one real soon though.

Thanks a lot for the help guys, looks like I'll be buying that GTX 460 today. Just to ask, if money wasn't a concern would you use the GTX 460 or this Radeon HD 5850? The reason I ask is because I've seen at least one person recommend that Radeon to someone before.
 
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To be honest, my PSU is the only unit in my computer which is still stock. It probably isn't amazing but up until this point its done well. If it comes down to me having to replace it, I don't have a problem replacing it. Its old, and needs to be changed soon anyways.

If it is the one which came with your case or your computer, yes, it would need to be changed. You can find out what power supply you have by taking off the side panel and looking at the label on the PSU, it will say either the manufacturer and/or model on there
 
If the PSU is going to be an issue I'll likely buy this:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Any comments on it? I'm personally a supporter of Corsair, I've always found their products to be fantastic. 750W is more than I need, but it gives me space to upgrade parts later on.

Link doesn't work for me, and I wouldn't stick to JUST corsair, you are cutting out a massive market, most of which are equal quality, yet much better priced than the corsair is, because you are paying not just for a power supply, but for the corsair name that is on there too, even though it is just a re-badged seasonic (or CWT as the newer models are) unit
 
Yeah Corsair are good, but there are other good brands, try not to be too narrow minded. Not that there's anything wrong with having a Corsair PSU. I'm just saying they're not the be all and end all.
 
I would like to suggest you to try with the 7600Gt is a great choice, especially if your on a budget. My friend got one, and it plays all of his games fine
 
If you decide to go with 5850, get Sapphire or XFX. I would not go with HIS if i was you.

GTX460 would be the better choice. It isn't quite as powerful as the 5850, but not a million miles away from the performance you get from them, yet costs much less than a 5850 does

I would like to suggest you to try with the 7600Gt is a great choice, especially if your on a budget. My friend got one, and it plays all of his games fine

$200-$300, looking for a gaming card and you are suggesting a Geforce 7 series card :confused:
 
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