Options For A $250 Gpu

[RJ2536]

So im Building a gaming rig and I can't decide what would be the best GPU for the price point. Originally i was going to buy the xfx 7850 DD but the more I look into I feel I could get a better performer. Now I'm looking at the Powercolor 7870 tahiti le, however I hear a lot of mixed things about powercolor. It does appear to be a really awsome card. So what are your opinions on the best bang for the buck GPU at a $250us price point? Also I think XFX and Sapphire have a 7870 tahiti but I haven't but I haven't checked them out yet

[Jonny]

what about Nvidia? somthing like 660 ? probably better proformance but it depends on games and setup

 

 

somthing like this    http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=75183&vpn=GV%2DN66TOC%2D2GD&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1280

[AMD_Nemesis]

The Sapphire 7870xt performs very well and is as fast as a 7950 And the 660 is like a supreamly cut down 660ti. and way slower.

[Godlygamer23]

I found this. It's a video card comparison from the $150 range to the $250 range. I'd go with a 7870 personally. Great card. However, if you plan to do multi-GPU solution, you could get a couple NVIDIA cards, or wait for AMD to completely fix their frame runt issue.

Edited April 30, 2013 by Godlygamer23

[RJ2536]

I think in this price range Amd is probably the way to go, also I don't plan on doing a multi GPU. I can't seem to find the Sapphire 7870xt in stock. My setup is i5 3570k, Asrock extreme 4, 8gb ram, 650w xfx PSU

[xToFxREAPER]

i agree with the others, the 7870 is a great option i used an msi 7870 hawk edition for a long while till i got my sli 680s, the 7870 is still in use on my second desktop and for most games its fantastic at 1080p :)

[TechFan@ic]

The best 250$ graphics card by far & away is the 7870 Tahiti LE, there are two versions available, one from Sapphire & one from Powercolor.
The Sapphire model utilizes a dual fan design which is slightly better than the reference design on the Powercolor card.

Here are both.
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-11199-20-20G/dp/B00AWKYB1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367356867&sr=8-1&keywords=7870+xt

http://www.amazon.com/PowerColor-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-AX7870-2GBD5-2DHPPV3E/dp/B00AO35AXU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367356867&sr=8-3&keywords=7870+xt

[RJ2536]

Thank you everyone for the very fast replies and helping me on my decision. I think im going with the Sapphire 7850xt. Also thank you TechFan for the links, I jumped the gun when I said I couldn't find it in stock. Hopefully it stays in stock for the next 2 weeks till I can buy it haha

[Art Vandelay]

Don't go for XFX.

 

Get a 7870 or the tahiti LE card. They seem to be the best value for $250 right now.

[lions240]

I would personally go with a EVGA GTX 660, its a little under your budget.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826

[flare4000]

+1 on getting an 7870 le or xt best bang for your buck unless there is a 660 ti on sale like the 660 ti from galaxy which was on sale for 259.99 like two weeks ago.

[mgsstar]

The best 250$ graphics card by far & away is the 7870 Tahiti LE, there are two versions available, one from Sapphire & one from Powercolor.

The Sapphire model utilizes a dual fan design which is slightly better than the reference design on the Powercolor card.

Here are both.

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-11199-20-20G/dp/B00AWKYB1M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367356867&sr=8-1&keywords=7870+xt

http://www.amazon.com/PowerColor-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-AX7870-2GBD5-2DHPPV3E/dp/B00AO35AXU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367356867&sr=8-3&keywords=7870+xt

I would also chose the Sapphire card as your gpu.

[RJ2536]

Does anyone have any experience with this card? Is it reliable, noisy, how does it run graphic intensive games like battlefield 3 or Crysis. Any input is much appreciated.

[Lukiose]

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5158/sapphire_radeon_hd_7870_xt_tahiti_le_2gb_with_boost_overclocked_video_card_review/index.html

No experience but just something found from google, hope it helps

[fredtechcheck]

Have you considered SLI or Crossfire?  Dual GTX 650 Ti Boost is at a great value and produces performance numbers between a GTX 680 and a GTX 670 for the price of about one GTX 670.

[TechFan@ic]

Here is a review of the Powercolor 7870 Tahiti LE, the Sapphire card will run cooler & emit less noise.
It's worth noting that you get 3 games for free with the card, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider & Far Cry 3 : Blood Dragon.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/tahiti-le-7870-7930-benchmark,3401-3.html

[RJ2536]

So the never settle bundle is only available when buying from newegg right? That's somewhat of a bummer because 3 free games like that is a nice touch. I may be wrong though its hard find things out with only a iPhone, lol no computer available at all

[TechFan@ic]

So the never settle bundle is only available when buying from newegg right? That's somewhat of a bummer because 3 free games like that is a nice touch. I may be wrong though its hard find things out with only a iPhone, lol no computer available at all

The bundles are also available on Amazon.com & Tigerdirect.com.

[killerx525]

Does anyone have any experience with this card? Is it reliable, noisy, how does it run graphic intensive games like battlefield 3 or Crysis. Any input is much appreciated.

I've had experience with the Powercolour 7870XT and the noise is actually pretty decent and the card build quality is solid. The Tom's Hardware review should give you the performance numbers for those 2 games.

[RJ2536]

Thank you, the fast responses and helpful answers are what is makeing this forum great. I'll be ordering the 7870 xt shortly, now I only need a case, OS, memory, optical drive and then I'll be good to go.

[AMD_Nemesis]

Win 8 ripjaws-x and the xt will run flawless and when new gen comes get another.

[RJ2536]

Yeah I'm looking forward to see how it'll perform, I did get win 7 premium though. It's just what I'm familiar with

[bradscoolio]

7870 Tahiti hands down is the card you want ;)

[Acefire]

7950 is getting really close to $250. I would just hold out for that

[RJ2536]

Well I'll be ordering the GPU in about a week or two so which ever is around $250 ill be buying