Graphics card question. Should I or shouldn't I?

misha1967 · 03-08-12, 04:58 PM

Yes, I know, that's a loaded question because we all have our preferences, but I'm asking to hear from people who've done the same as I'm contemplating or something similar. I could have also put it in "General", but really the only reason I'm even thinking about it is because of SH5. It runs just fine on my current setup, but I wouldn't mind a little extra "oomph" to push the FPS up a bit.

My "old" 2 and half year Phenom II X4, 4GB Vista 64 box still runs everything I want quite satisfactorily even though I might not always be able to push it to 8x8 AA (which, at 1920x1080 is a waste if you ask me), and I'm perfectly happy with its 30FPS even when there's a lot going on.

But I was thinking about upgrading my GTX 260 to a GTX 570 since they're so damned cheap and wondering if anybody has done something similar and what their experience was. Yes, I know the GTX 580 is even faster, but then I'd have to get a new PSU due to the power config which, if necessary, I'd be happy to, but I'd rather not if I can avoid it.

And yes, I know that nVidia has a problem with sun flare, I've known that for a decade, but it doesn't really matter all that much to me. What I like about them is that they're generally rock solid out of the box and you don't have to spend a week tweaking and hunting alternate drivers like you have to with a lot of the ATIs, even though I'll be the first to admit that they're bloody awesome GPUs, no fault on that. They kick a certain part of your anatomy once you get them tuned right.

But I know nVidia, I've never been disappointed with them and they're generally quiet, cool and tough.

So, is it worth it? My current 260 runs fine, cool and quiet and the last thing I want is a card that heats up my entire room and sounds like a Boeing wind tunnel.

Oh, my PSU is 800W.

Any thoughts most welcome.

Herr-Berbunch · 03-08-12, 05:29 PM

I've recently gone from a GTS 250 to a GTX 560 Ti OC, I'd never played SH5 until I'd got the new card but in other games it's a definate boost. I've been more than happy - and I think you will be too.

Sepp von Ch. · 03-08-12, 05:50 PM

I had nVIDIA 9800GTX and now I have GTX 560 Ti. Is absolutely great for all modded SH sims. SH5 works now very well by me (and with 64 bit system).

TheDarkWraith · 03-08-12, 07:22 PM

any 500 series GTX card you'll be happy with. Just look at the specs of the 200 series compared to the 500 series...it's a no brainer!

misha1967 · 03-09-12, 12:35 AM

Thanks! I appreciate it

Always nice to hear from somebody who's tried already

TheDarkWraith · 03-09-12, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misha1967

Thanks! I appreciate it

Always nice to hear from somebody who's tried already

I upgraded from GTX280 to GTX480 then to GTX590. The leap from GTX280 to GTX480 was night and day difference. The next leap to GTX590 was incredible

misha1967 · 03-09-12, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

I upgraded from GTX280 to GTX480 then to GTX590. The leap from GTX280 to GTX480 was night and day difference. The next leap to GTX590 was incredible

I've heard good things about the 590, yes.

And I'm fairly certain, just from the numbers alone, that I'll be quite happy going from my old 260 (which still, today, is a pretty damn good card I might add. Churning out 30-35 FPS leaving Kiel with everything but "shadows" cranked up to pretty and OHII installed isn't bad for a three year old card

) to a spanking new 570

But numbers are one thing, Liking the card is quite another and, as I'm sure you know, when you research a card on the web reviews go from "hate it" to "best thing since sliced bread". Researching the 500 series alone I had everything from "awesome, runs cool, quiet and beats the snot out of every game I throw at it" to "stuttery, unreliable, hot as an oven, sounds like a jet turbine even at moderate load."

Sometimes I wonder if they're talking about the same card

So that's why I asked the family here at SubSim because I know that we have quite a bit in common and I'd much rather hear from somebody I know who is actually using the thing than some snooty reviewer who just plugged it in and ran it for two hours so he could write a 300 word review. I'd rather ask my friends

I settled on the 570 because it wouldn't require anything from me other than unplugging the old and plugging in the new. I'll rebuild completely one day anyway, and then I'll take it all from top to bottom, but right now I just want better performance with a minimum of hassle, and the 570 is a bloody steal at the price.

So it's in the mail even as we speak. Can't wait

03-08-12, 04:58 PM	#1
misha1967 Commander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 470 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 0	Graphics card question. Should I or shouldn't I? Yes, I know, that's a loaded question because we all have our preferences, but I'm asking to hear from people who've done the same as I'm contemplating or something similar. I could have also put it in "General", but really the only reason I'm even thinking about it is because of SH5. It runs just fine on my current setup, but I wouldn't mind a little extra "oomph" to push the FPS up a bit. My "old" 2 and half year Phenom II X4, 4GB Vista 64 box still runs everything I want quite satisfactorily even though I might not always be able to push it to 8x8 AA (which, at 1920x1080 is a waste if you ask me), and I'm perfectly happy with its 30FPS even when there's a lot going on. But I was thinking about upgrading my GTX 260 to a GTX 570 since they're so damned cheap and wondering if anybody has done something similar and what their experience was. Yes, I know the GTX 580 is even faster, but then I'd have to get a new PSU due to the power config which, if necessary, I'd be happy to, but I'd rather not if I can avoid it. And yes, I know that nVidia has a problem with sun flare, I've known that for a decade, but it doesn't really matter all that much to me. What I like about them is that they're generally rock solid out of the box and you don't have to spend a week tweaking and hunting alternate drivers like you have to with a lot of the ATIs, even though I'll be the first to admit that they're bloody awesome GPUs, no fault on that. They kick a certain part of your anatomy once you get them tuned right. But I know nVidia, I've never been disappointed with them and they're generally quiet, cool and tough. So, is it worth it? My current 260 runs fine, cool and quiet and the last thing I want is a card that heats up my entire room and sounds like a Boeing wind tunnel. Oh, my PSU is 800W. Any thoughts most welcome. __________________ Ansonsten, Herr Lutter, ist alles in Butter Liqui-cooled Intel i2550K @ 4.2 GHz, 8 Gb RAM, GTX 970 GPU

03-08-12, 05:29 PM	#2
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I've recently gone from a GTS 250 to a GTX 560 Ti OC, I'd never played SH5 until I'd got the new card but in other games it's a definate boost. I've been more than happy - and I think you will be too. __________________

03-08-12, 05:50 PM	#3
Sepp von Ch. Sea Lord Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In my U-552 and Tiger Posts: 1,732 Downloads: 788 Uploads: 0	I had nVIDIA 9800GTX and now I have GTX 560 Ti. Is absolutely great for all modded SH sims. SH5 works now very well by me (and with 64 bit system). __________________ *U-552* *Tiger* *IDF*

03-09-12, 12:35 AM	#5
misha1967 Commander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 470 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 0	Thanks! I appreciate it Always nice to hear from somebody who's tried already __________________ Ansonsten, Herr Lutter, ist alles in Butter Liqui-cooled Intel i2550K @ 4.2 GHz, 8 Gb RAM, GTX 970 GPU

03-08-12, 07:22 PM	#4
TheDarkWraith Black Magic Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 11,962 Downloads: 147 Uploads: 5	any 500 series GTX card you'll be happy with. Just look at the specs of the 200 series compared to the 500 series...it's a no brainer!