9 replies to this topic

[PhillyEagles]

Hi all, just to begin Im no computer wizard. But I'm currently looking at updating my graphics card to enable to play Guild Wars 2 on a suitable setting (preferably max). Im only managing to play it above minimum, and thought I better upgrade.

The cards im looking at are:

Sapphire RADEON HD 7950 OC Graphics card - 3 GB - GDDR5 SDRAM

Sapphire RADEON HD 7870 GHz Edition Graphics card - 2 GB - GDDR5 SDRAM

Sapphire RADEON HD 7850 Graphics card - 2 GB - GDDR5 SDRAM

Asus nVIDIA SLI GeForce GTX 570 DirectCu II Graphics Card 1.28GB

I currently have at the moment:

CPU - Intel Core i5 650 @ 3.20GHz Dual Core

Power Supply - 600W

Now I know some are better than others, but like I said, im not a massive PC gamer, so im rarely buying all the latest games, I just need one suitable for the latest games available.

Which is the best card for the job in your opinion, keepind in mind performance, price etc...?

Im tempted with the HD7950, but its quite pricey.

Thanks guys!

(If you need anymore specs just say)

[ashleigh mcmahon]

I've recently installed a Gigabyte 7850 - it comes pre overclocked and has two fans to help with cooling. I believe you can further overclock this card to be on par with a stock 7870. I've been told Sapphire is a good brand but never used them myself so can't comment.

It's a fairly good card. In the last stress test it could play this game with everything turned up max smoothly, only dropping FPS (15 is the lowest I seen) in big WvWvW fights.

Don't quote me on this, but I think your I5 provides better gaming performance than my amd phenom 2 x6 2.8ghz. So if I were you i'd go for the 7850 and just overclock it a little bit. If i'm right about your CPU, you should have no problems running this game with all settings maxed.

Note: I didn't have any OC on the GPU or CPU during last stress test - and my resolution is 1920x1080

Edited by ashleigh mcmahon, 22 August 2012 - 07:00 PM.

[Life_Infusion]

Of your choices, $200 HD 7850 or $220 HD 7870 should do good.

If you can wait a few months when the HD 8xxx series comes it will be cheaper like the HD 6870 is now (~$130-170). You only need about a HD 6870.
https://www.guildwar...nd-performance/

Edited by Life_Infusion, 22 August 2012 - 07:00 PM.

[Seipher09]

I know this isnt on your list but I would honestly suggest what I'm using now. I have had 0 issues with GW2 as of yet on max setting. I have an EVGA Geoforce gts 550 TI and think I got it on amazon or newegg for like $125. I also do have a Phenom II X4 955 (3.2GHz)

[Elder III]

What is your Monitor Resolution?  That will dictate your performance more than anything.  Any of those Video Cards would do well for you in PvE, but for WvW your dual core CPU is going to keep you from running totally Maxed settings...

[SuperNova]

The 7950 is an absolute beast of a card but as Elder says, your cpu will probably hold it back anyway.

Unless you are planning on a new cpu/mobo, as Life_Infusion suggested I think a 7850 would be a nice price/performance point for you.

Edited by SuperNova, 22 August 2012 - 10:20 PM.

[Enforcer]

A 7850 will be fine. However, just to stress this matter like other people posted, your dual core cpu will limitating the max fps you can achieve.

So, instead of going for 7950, it's best if you get 7850 and a quad core cpu. Btw, the brand doesn't matter much, it does not affect performance, the only thing it does is the cooling part, which Sapphire brand does a good job with it. There is a better brand that provide better cooling though, but with my experience with my Sapphire HD7850, it is more than enough.

[baels]

Orrr just get a 7870 Ghz edition for almost the same price as the 7850. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150605

Edited by baels, 23 August 2012 - 12:31 AM.

[ashleigh mcmahon]

Just to note, my amd phemom x6 2.8ghz was coupled with a 7850 and received barely playable fps in wvwvw, the rest of the game was playable, albeit slight drops in fps now and again.

Waiting for release to see how the OC to 3.6ghz improves!

[Haywire]

Sli 570 outperforms ALL those other cards... but since SLI might not be working yet, I'd go 660 ti preferably 670 from nvidia or.. 7970 from amd.. and don't get em with stock cooling.. :-)