Video Card Comparisons

20120528 Update

Still on 9600GT

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

HD7750 at under 75watts looks good...


20091116 Budget gaming videocard choices for 1980x1200:

Currently I have an 18 month old GeForce 9600GT - still a respectable performer and the start point for our selections below but also power hungry.  Also now I have a 1980 x 1080 main LCD and thus moving up in resolution from 1680x1050 to this.

So considerations are:

  • Gaming at 1920 x 1080
  • Power / quiet
  • Multiple monitors

Per: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2464.html (Oct/Nov 2009)

Options in order of indicative US$ price per the article above

For gaming at 1680 x 1050

  • Best ~US$80: GeForce 9600GT, 65nm, >= NZ$123/512MB NZ$167/1GB
  • Best ~US$100: Radeon HD4850, 55nm, >=NZ$160/512MB NZ$180/1GB

Good 1920x1200 performance in most games

  • In between HD4850 & HD4870 was mentioned GEForce GTS250 ~US$110, 55nm, >=  NZ$169/512MB NZ$195/1GB
  • Best ~US$125: Radeon HD4870 512MB, 55nm, >= NZ$219/512MB
  • Best ~US$155: Three-Way Tie:
    • Radeon HD4870 1GB 55nm, >= NZ$237/1GB
    • GeForce GTX260 (Core 216), 55nm, >= NZ$279/896MB
    • Radeon HD5770 ,40nm, >= NZ$272/1GB
  • Best ~US$190: Radeon HD4890, 55nm, >=NZ$288/1GB

Points to note:

  • HD5770 is 40nm and DX11 compatible but <= HD4870 performance, however has EyeFinity to drive 3 monitors.. but.. only Displayport monitors or get an ACTIVE displayport to DVI converter/dongle
  • Power at idle is pretty close between the Geforce 55nm and Radeon 40nm at idle, with load swinging in the 40nm chips favour as expected.

Exceptional 1920x1200 performance

At this point the next options are SLI solutions with the only single card solution an honerable mention to the Radeon HD5850, 40nm at US$290, >= NZ$458

Others:

  • Radeon HD5750, 40nm, >= NZ$245/1GB..

Conclusion:

Sub NZ$200 seems GTS250 is recommended.. but it's not much of a step up from the 9600GT.

If I was building a fresh box I'd probably go for the Radeon HD4870 1GB 55nm, >= NZ$237/1GB

 

EOM