Graphics card for Modded Skyrim/Fallout

[Thor.]

How on earth did you find that lol, tried every possible key word i could think of, nothing on my end :teehee:

 

I would personally go with the gigabyte models, they always have the highest clocked and coolest cards. Plus that particular version has 4gb of vram.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125496

Edited February 10, 2014 by Thor.

[obobski]

 

HD 6970 should not be struggling with Fallout 3/New Vegas or Skyrim - not at all. Here's a TPU review of the 270X that has the 6970 included for comparison in Skyrim:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/R9_270X/21.html

 

 

He's running mods, and we have no idea how many.

That said, mods can easily bog down any PC. Upgrading his graphics card might give him great performance, or it might do almost nothing. Really it depends on what kinds of mods he's running and how many.

 

 

I think we're basically on the same page here - more information is needed about the software and potential conflicts (or bad load order) before we can talk hardware upgrades. I'd add that the specific choice of the 270X is unlikely to do much - the performance difference between them is very narrow.

[ArchangelCassiel]

Guys I am running a 6790 not a 6970 :blush: . By the way my mobo does support Dual UEFI so I should not have any problems with that. Getting the 270X in my country is no big deal because it's very popular due to its lower price. You could also find the 290X but not the 280X here which is kinda odd.

Edited February 11, 2014 by ArchangelCassiel

[Rennn]

Guys I am running a 6790 not a 6970 :smile:. By the way my mobo does support Dual UEFI so I should not have any problems with that. Getting the 270X in my country is no big deal because it's very popular due to its lower price. You could also find the 290X but not the 280X here which is kinda odd.

 

A 270x would be at least a 30% increase in raw performance (IE, from 30 fps to 40 fps), but it performs even better in regards to antialiasing and texture filtering, and it's much better than the 6790 at high resolutions, so if you go to 1080p at some point you wouldn't lose much fps with the 270x. Also, the 2GB VRAM instead of 1GB would allow you to run pretty much any HD texture mods you want in Fallout or Skyrim (provided you stay within the limits of the engine). I'd say it's a worthy upgrade, but only if you get one for substantially less than $300. The closer you can get to $200, the better, because originally they were just supposed to cost $200 even.

Edited February 11, 2014 by Rennn

[ArchangelCassiel]

I was looking at the 4GB Gigabyte version:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125496

It is only a few bucks more expensive than the 2GB one so I really don't see any reason not to get that. The 4GB MSI version is a potential candidate too.

Edited February 11, 2014 by ArchangelCassiel

[Werne]

Whoa, now that I took a look at the AMD lineup on Newegg - forget the 270X, get yourself a Radeon 7870 while they're still around or a 270 if you can find one on discount (270 is identical to 7870 in performance). Difference in price is not that small, you can find a 7870 for a bit over $200, like this XFX Double Dissipation 7870 for $230, there's even a PowerColor one for $170 but I don't have any experience with that manufacturer. Sadly, Sapphire 7870s are out of stock, those are generally cheap, come with a 1050MHz core and a lot of OC headroom.

 

Difference in performance between the 7870 and 270X is minimal, 5-10% based on model and manufacturer, factory overclocked 7870 like some ASUS and Sapphire models will beat a reference 270X. They are both based on the same Pitcairn XT chip and any difference between them is in GPU/memory clocks, which can be ironed out through overclocking.

 

 

 

As a side note, I don't know why but prices of R9-series went up like crazy on US websites, up to a point where that same card costs less in Croatia even though it should cost ~20-25% more around here compared to US prices. R9 270X costs some $250 around here while 7870 costs $400, even the R9 290X costs 2/3 the price of a GTX 780 Ti and only slightly more expensive than a 7970. All R9-series cards around here are priced as AMD said they would be (some cost even less than they should), not like they are everywhere else. :blink:

 

I don't know what the hell is going on but I have a feeling I should grab a 270 while they still go for ~$200, before the prices get blown out of proportion around here as well. :ermm:

[obobski]

6790 changes everything - that's a lysdexic moment on my part. Doh!

 

Yes, 270X is a biggun upgrade over that (roughly double-over internal throughput, memory bandwidth isn't quite double though), but I agree with Werne on the 7870 - they're almost identical, so save the money by getting a 7870 (if possible). If the 4GB card is really only a few dollars, why not? Don't expect it to be a big performance gain over the 2GB model, but again - for a few dollars, why not?

 

Having said that, I'd still look through your modlist, load order, see if anything needs cleaning, etc - you may find some performance improvement there too.

 

I'll say PowerColor is very good - I'd put them on par with Sapphire. Both have been around for ages, and both make good cards. PowerColor may be better known as the TUL Corporation (PowerColor is a sub-brand), if that helps international members identify them.

 

Werne - I think Thor is probably onto something with the card pricing going up due to bitmining and distributed computing; supply and demand and all that. It's also probably "allowable" because of the runaway train that has been nVidia pricing in the last few years.

Edited February 11, 2014 by obobski

[ArchangelCassiel]

My 6790 is ancient :laugh:. The prices are pretty mixed up in Hungary too. For example a 270X costs around $290-$300 whereas the 7870 is about $270-$280(the latter is a bit hard to come around). The 290X ranges from $750 to $840, a 290 is about $620. As for the 280X you can only get the Asus Maximus version which has a ridiculous price of $960.

 

Prices are damn crazy in terms Nvidia too. A 760 is about $340(you even get Assassins Creed IV with the Gigabyte version) a 660 goes for $420. 780s can be found from $650 to $715. A 780Ti is about $925. A 690 costs $1220 and Titans range from $1275 to $1300.

 

As I said: import taxes :sad:. By the way since I live in Hungary these are the prices that apply to me because Newegg, Amazon or such sites don't ship here. I am pretty sure I will be getting a 270X because that 10-30 dollar difference is not that much.

 

obobski I could upload my load order(Skyrim and New vegas) for you to look through if you wish. I would be grateful if someone with the decent expertise could tell me if I have issues(I'm sure I do) maybe even tell me how to fix them.

Edited February 11, 2014 by ArchangelCassiel

[Ghogiel]

that GB windforce 3 fan 270X runs so unbelievable cool and quiet. Havent had a card in several generations that runs as cool and quiet as it.

[ArchangelCassiel]

Yes I have only heard good things about them.

 

obobski - Here is my New Vegas load order(pretty much identical to the one Gopher uses in his current playthrough since I was too lazy to look for mods myself :laugh:)

 

FalloutNV.esm
DeadMoney.esm
HonestHearts.esm
OldWorldBlues.esm
LonesomeRoad.esm
GunRunnersArsenal.esm
ClassicPack.esm
MercenaryPack.esm
TribalPack.esm
CaravanPack.esm
Advanced Recon Tech.esm
Afterschool Special.esm
Interior Lighting Overhaul - Core.esm
AWorldOfPain(Preview).esm
More Perks.esm
NVEC Complete.esm
NVInteriors_Core.esm
Sortomatic.esm
ELECTRO-CITY - CompletedWorkorders.esm
ELECTRO-CITY - Highways and Byways.esm
oHUD.esm
New Vegas Redesigned II.esm
SomeguySeries.esm
NVInteriors_ComboEdition_AWOP.esm
Project Nevada - Core.esm
Project Nevada - Equipment.esm
Project Nevada - Extra Options.esm
Project Nevada - Rebalance.esp
Project Nevada - Cyberware.esp
YUP - Base Game + All DLC.esm
DarNifiedUINV.esp
CASM.esp
The Mod Configuration Menu.esp
fnvrwlo - original.esp
fnvrwlo - brighter nights.esp
The Weapon Mod Menu.esp
Project Nevada - Cyberware Additions.esp
Project Nevada - Rebalance Complete.esp
Project Nevada - All DLC.esp
Flight of the ValkED-E.esp
athornysituation.esp
avangraffscorned.esp
awilderwasteland.esp
betsybrahmin.esp
kochandbohr.esp
NewVegasBounties.esp
Cowboy Perk Complete - New Vegas Bounties.esp
NewVegasBountiesII.esp
outsidebets.esp
Pacersgambit.esp
rotfacetoriches.esp
Alternative Repairing.esp
Alternative Repairing - Honest Hearts.esp
Alternative Repairing - Breakdown Item Icons.esp
Improved-ammoingredientsloot.esp
MTB.esp
PortableCampsite.esp
LFox Missing Ammo Recipes.esp
LFox Missing Ammo Recipes HH DLC.esp
LFox Missing Ammo Recipes GRA DLC.esp
Advanced Recon Gear.esp
Advanced Recon Tech.esp
Advanced Recon Gear - Project Nevada.esp
FlashlightNVSE.esp
NCR Ranger Helmet Neck Cover.esp
NVR- Recommended.esp
New Vegas redesigned- Honest Hearts.esp
Voice dissonance fix.esp
My essential friends (animals).esp
RWD-NV v1.4 [standard Version].esp
RWD-NellisArtillery Fix 1.0.esp
Burning CampFire.esp
Delay DLC - DM + HH + OWB + LR + GRA.esp
Easy Unlocking and Easy Hacking.esp
Quicker PipBoy Light-0_2Sec.esp
Vurt's WFO.esp
Interior Lighting Overhaul - Ultimate Edition.esp
TheInheritance.esp
Russell.esp
AWOPDeadMoney.esp
AWOPDeadMoneyVendorPatch.esp
AWOP - Balance and Cleanup.esp
lutNVEC34bComplete_REmenu.esp
NVEC Complete NVR2 Patch.esp
NVEC PN COMBO Patch.esp
NVEC Complete AWOP Patch.esp
PreorderWeaponFixesComplete.esp
Alternative Repairing - Bottle That Water (NVEC Complete).esp
Alternative Repairing - NVInteriors.esp
Alternative Repairing - NVInteriors Combo AWOP Edition.esp
PipBoyLight.esp
pipboyx3.esp
EVE FNV - ALL DLC.esp
Project Nevada - EVE All DLC.esp
JIP Companions Command & Control.esp
JRougeRangerCoats4Free.esp
JRougeRangerCoats4Loot.esp
WeaponModsExpanded.esp
WMX-DLCMerged.esp
WMX-POPMerged.esp
Project Nevada - WMX.esp
WMX-AWOP-Overhaul.esp
WMX-EVE-AllDLCMerged.esp
WMX-ArenovalisTextures.esp
NVEC Complete WMX Patch.esp
Merged Patch New.esp

 

 

And here is my Skyrim (it might be a bit outdated because I haven't played it for some time because of the terrible performance)

 

Skyrim.esm
Update.esm
Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp
Dawnguard.esm
Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp
HearthFires.esm
Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp
Dragonborn.esm
Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp
Skyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esm
ClimatesOfTamriel.esm
SPIKE.esm
-----HighResTexturePack01.esp
-----HighResTexturePack02.esp
-----HighResTexturePack03.esp
Unofficial High Resolution Patch.esp
Chesko_Frostfall.esp
ExpandedSnowSystems-CoT.esp
DexionEvicusfix.esp
AOS.esp
AOS_DGDB Patch.esp
-----ClimatesOfTamriel-Sound.esp
Improved Combat Sounds v2.2.esp
AOS_ICS Patch.esp
BrighterTorchesBiggerMagelight.esp
Skyrim Shadow Striping Fix.esp
StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp
StaticMeshImprovementMod-DragonbornTernFix.esp
StaticMeshImprovementMod-FurnitureChestSnowFix.esp
EternalTorch.esp
More Craftables.esp
ValsCraftingMeltdownAlpha.esp
AMatterOfTime.esp
Auto Unequip Ammo.esp
Footprints.esp
Footprints - Ash.esp
RaceMenu.esp
RaceMenuPlugin.esp
SkyUI.esp
iHUD.esp
Cloaks.esp
Cloaks - Dawnguard.esp
1nivWICCloaks.esp
1nivWICSkyCloaksPatch.esp
DragonbornArmorFix.esp
hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp
Immersive Weapons.esp
Northborn Fur Hoods.esp
1nivWICSkyCloaksNorthPatch.esp
ImmersiveArmorsNPCs.esp
HarvestOverhaulDawnguardDragonborn.esp
HarvestOverhaulCreaturesDawnguardHearthfireDragonborn.esp
Lock Overhaul.esp
DeadlyDragons.esp
SkyRe_Main.esp
SkyRe_Combat.esp
SkyRe_CraftingFix.esp
SkyRe_EncounterZones.esp
SkyRe_EnemyAI.esp
SkyRe_EnemyScaling.esp
SkyRe_HarvestOverhaulDawnguardDragonbornPatch.esp
SkyRe_StandingStones.esp
SkyRe_Survivalism.esp
SkyRe_HelmlessPerks.esp
AOS_SkyRe Patch.esp
LightsHeljarchenHall.esp
PumpingIron.esp
BetterQuestObjectives.esp
Book Covers Skyrim.esp
Book Covers Dawnguard.esp
Book Covers Hearthfire.esp
Book Covers Dragonborn.esp
Distant DetailHF.esp
Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp
Convenient Horses.esp
dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp
dD-Dragonborn-Dawnguard-EBT Patch.esp
AOS_EBT Patch.esp
aMidianborn_Skyforge_Weapons.esp
ClimatesOfTamriel-Dawnguard-Patch.esp
ClimatesOfTamriel-Dragonborn-Patch.esp
AOS_CoT 3.1 compatibility patch.esp
-----ClimatesOfTamriel-Nights-Level-6.esp
prod80_CoT_patch.esp
Supreme Storms - Cot Version.esp
prod80_SupremeStorms_CoT_patch.esp
RealisticNeedsandDiseases.esp
RND_Dawnguard-Patch.esp
RND_HearthFires-Patch.esp
RND_Dragonborn-Patch.esp
RND_USKP-Patch.esp
Predator Vision.esp
DeadlySpellImpacts.esp
DeadlySpellImpacts - Two Fire.esp
AOS_DSI Patch.esp
ImprovedSneakDetection.esp
NoSneakAttackSound.esp
Locational Damage.esp
The Dance of Death - Ultimate Edition.esp
Acquisitive Soul Gems.esp
UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul.esp
UFO - Dawnguard AddOn.esp
UFO - Heartfire AddOn.esp
UFO - AllwaysDrawWeapons.esp
My Home Is Your Home.esp
Follower Trap Safety.esp
GoldenVendors.esp
moveitLWT.esp
dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp
SkyRe_Races.esp
TTYM - Think to Yourself Messages.esp
TTYM - Frostfall Module.esp
EnhancedLightsandFX.esp
ELFX - Exteriors.esp
ELFXEnhancer.esp
ELFX - Dawnguard.esp
ELFX - Dragonborn.esp
AOS_ELFX Patch.esp
Purewaters.esp
PurewatersDG.esp
PurewatersDB.esp
RND_PureWaters-Patch.esp
SKSE Hotkeys.esp
WetandCold.esp
WetandCold - Ashes.esp
AOS_WetandCold Patch.esp
ReProccer.esp
ReProccerNONPLAYERfix.esp
ReProccerDragonborn.esp
AOS_SkyRe-Patch Patch.esp

 

 

The ones that are aligned left with dashes are unchecked in NMM. Hope it's not too bad :laugh:.