Legit Graphic Card Hunting

[MaskedMenace]

Ohai Forum.

 

I am currently trying to aquire a graphics card capable of tanking Skyrim's Ultra settings, and handling graphical improvement mods for it without losing FPS. Since this is the season of snowflakes, I could probability get one up to 500$ but if theres anything cheaper that can accomplish this, lets not... ahem... waste any expense.

 

If any of you young chaps or aged gentlemen could aid me in this task, it would be most appreciated. ಠ_ರೃ

 

Kthxbai~

[hoofhearted4]

if you want to spend your limit:

 

GTX 580

 

if you wanna spend less:

 

GTX 570

 

 

both will handle Skyrim no problem (actually even a GTX 560 Ti should handle it no problem)

 

obviously the more powerful the card, the better it will end up being, and longer it will probably last before it becomes out of date.

[PowderdToastMan]

I would say a 6970. Its gonna be the best.

 

I'd get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125371

Or this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131394

 

See the results yourself:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skyrim-performance-benchmark,3074-8.html

[Vecna6667]

There is a new GPU comming out from AMD real soon, the Radeon HD 7970. If the benchmarks are to be believed of the engineering samples, this card is going to be an absolute monster of a card.

 

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/amd%E2%80%99s_radeon_hd_7970_43_billion_transistors_pure_performance

 

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5261/amd-radeon-hd-7970-review

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-benchmark-tahiti-gcn,3104.html

 

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/12/22/amd_radeon_hd_7970_video_card_review

 

Take in mind that most of these benchmarks were done with beta drivers and the odd price of $549 may be do to the fact that nVidia's next card is 3 to 6 months away.

Edited December 26, 2011 by Vecna6667

[Erik005]

I second the 7970

 

Although it is a shame there isn't any competition yet to drive the price down.

 

AMD did very well with this card lets hope nvidia does the same.

[FMod]

7970 isn't even out yet, and will cost $550+.

 

Try turning some settings down, particularly shadows, it will help. Also, don't install every 2048x2048 mod you find, the textures are usually upscales, which is a useless exercise in wasting GPU power.

[Erik005]

I think the $550+ is the launch price, it will go down as soon as more shop sell them.

[MaskedMenace]

if you want to spend your limit:

 

GTX 580

 

if you wanna spend less:

 

GTX 570

 

 

both will handle Skyrim no problem (actually even a GTX 560 Ti should handle it no problem)

 

obviously the more powerful the card, the better it will end up being, and longer it will probably last before it becomes out of date.

Got the GTX 570, though I had to replace my power supply from a 450 Watz to 650 Watz (then 750 Watz when the 650 one wasn't enough), it has proved to be most enjoyable. Now I may begin to deck my Skyrim with le' mods of the graphical caliber.

 

I tip my hat to you good sir.

Edited December 31, 2011 by MaskedMenace

[hoofhearted4]

have fun bro.

 

hope everything stays smooth for ya :)