Best Bang for Buck Graphics Cards

Home » Guides » Peripherals/Gadgets Buying Guides

Best Bang for Buck Graphics Cards

Roydon Cerejo, Nov 19, 2010 1642 hrs IST

We investigate which cards give you most eye candy for your money

next

The gaming fraternity has come to a stage where their hardware is much more powerful than any game that is out today. Gamers therefore don't really have anything to push the current crop of cards to the limit.
Thanks to all manufacturers going multi-platform, games are now mostly coded for consoles and later ported over to the PC just to avoid the riots. Due to that we get half baked games full of bugs and glitches that require patches just hours after the game is released. It's quite an unfortunate state for us PC gamers, but looking at the bright side, we also save a lot of money on upgrades.

To make a game run smoothly without framing on consoles, developers don't have the liberty of adding high resolution textures or even lots of eye candy. Due to this, the PC port of such games are very easy to run unless they decide to add some extra graphics options in the engine (which they mostly don't). However, the side effect of this is that the game does not look as good as it could have, but you can't get everything, eh.

Graphics card prices keep fluctuating as newer models are introduced in various price segments. Today we have three graphics cards in three different price segments, which offer tremendous value for money. They offer very good performance and a good feature set for the price that's simply hard to resist.

Under Rs. 5000

Sapphire HD 5670 512MB GDDR5

The ATI HD5670 is a great performer that beats the HD4670 and the 9600GT, but it was priced too high at launch so we could not recommend it. Things have changed now and you can find this Sapphire card for less than 5K, which straightaway makes it the best card in this price bracket. Sapphire uses its own custom cooler with a larger lower RPM fan for better cooling and a silent operation.

next

Do you agree with this aritcle?

Yes

11

Down

6

Related Links

AMD HD 6870 and HD 6850 official...well almost

XFX Releases Radeon HD 6950 and 6970

Asus Announces Radeon HD 4890 Graphics Cards

Discussion Board

(36) Comments

Yash

,Pune, on Dec 06, 2010 04:57 PM

Hi All, Need urgent help, My mobo conked of after installing GTX 470 and Corsair GS 600. After installing PSU and graphic card, I installed the drivers for GTX 470. After that the machine never came to life. Showed it to an engineer and after checking each aspect he came to a conclusion that the mobo was gone.... Please suggest better mobo and cpu for the same, have a budget of max 15,000. (My old config was MS 7501 - MSI K9V2AM, AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ [Socket AM2] RAM - Kingston 2GB 800 MHz [DDR 2] GPU - ATI Radeon 4650 1 GB, PSU stock 450 watts)

Vikrant

,Jalgaon, on Dec 01, 2010 05:01 AM

The GTX 470 is the better gpu and at this price it's really a great deal. Keep in mind that the gtx 470 is a power hungry gpu and hence you will need to buy a minimum 550w powersupply [ with a minimum 12V current rating of 38A ] The psu should also have dual 6-pin connectors. Such psu will cost atleast 6k [Coolermaster or Corsair] Sorry for the typo..

Yash

,Pune, on Dec 01, 2010 06:13 PM

Thanks Vikrant, I contacted Sujata Computers in Pune, they have Cooler Master eXtreme Power 600W SMPS @3900.....will it be able to handle GTX 470 (power requirement of 550 w)

Yash

,Pune, on Nov 30, 2010 04:52 PM

Hi Vikrant, Roydon.....I got the quotes for Zotac GTX 460 1 GB AMP@14000 and GTX 470 @15200, which one would be the better of the two....keeping in mind that I currently have AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+, 450 W PSU (will upgrade) ....my budget is of 20,000...will GTX 470 work out with my current set of processor....

Vikrant

,Jalgaon, on Dec 01, 2010 03:36 AM

Well,the GTX 470 is the better gpu and at this price it's really a great deal. Keep in mind that the gtx 470 is a power hungry psu and hence you will need to buy a minimum 550w powersupply [ with a minimum 12V current rating of 38A ] The psu should also have dual 6-pin connectors. Such psu will cost atleast 6k [Coolermaster or Corsair]

Vikrant

,Jalgaon, on Nov 29, 2010 04:46 PM

Hi Yash, I had to ask your email because my comment wasn't appearing on the discussion board. Amd Phenom 2 X2 555 Black Edition @ Rs.4900. Zotac GTX460 1GB Amp Edition @ Rs.13,850. Gigabyte Superb 460W Psu @ Rs.2,100. However,I suggest you not to go for the gigabyte psu. The power consumption of the gpu goes much high on load [nearly 300W] Furthermore,the psu isn't 80+ Efficiency certified.If adequate power isn't supplied to the gpu and other components,there is a risk of damaging the hardware. So,get an 80+ efficiency certified psu from either coolermaster or corsair. Cooler Master Real Power Pro 460W @ Rs.3600. Corsair VX 450W Power Supply @ Rs.3800. Trust me,I had a powersafe 500W Psu and my motherboard was damaged due to the insufficient power.

Yash

,Pune, on Nov 29, 2010 06:16 PM

Thanks mate, for the info on PSU, since I have a budget for 20000 (strictly), will GTX 460 1 GB AMP work well with my current set of processor i.e. AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+; so I end up h the graphic card@13850 and Corsair VX 450W Power Supply @ Rs.3800. However I plan to upgrade to Amd Phenom 2 X2 555 Black Edition @ Rs.4900 in a month

Anonymous

,Pune, on Nov 28, 2010 09:03 AM

yashsinghinatgmaildotcom

Anonymous

,Jalgaon, on Nov 28, 2010 04:53 AM

Yash,please let me know your mobile number or email - Vikrant

Yash

,Pune, on Nov 26, 2010 08:14 PM

Referring to Vikrant's post - I am planning to upgrade my system with a budget of INR 20,000. My config: MS 7501 - MSI K9V2AM, AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ [Socket AM2] RAM - Kingston 2GB 800 MHz [DDR 2] GPU - ATI Radeon 4650 1 GB, PSU stock 450 watts which came with my Odyssety cabinet. Can you advise me on CPU and graphic card upgrade .My budget and priority is a better graphics card (Metro 2033) (HD 5770 or GTX 460)...please let me know what would be most suitable.

Vikrant Bhave

,Jalgaon, on Nov 27, 2010 03:59 AM

Hi Yash.. In my opinion,you should go for the Phenom II X2 555.Look for the black edition if you are into over-clocking as i think black edition cpus come with an unlocked multiplier.It costs a few hundred bucks more than the standard. As for the gpu,go for the ones suggested by Roydon. [ ATI HD6870 OR ZOTAC GTX460 1GB Amp Edition OR MSI N460GTX Cyclone 1GD5 ] But if you are not gaming on high resolutions,i would suggest u not to go for a gpu above 10k. The HD 5770 seems the best one. Are you planning to sell your cpu & gpu? What is the memory interface of ur gpu i.e. 128bit or 256bit?

Yash

,Pune, on Nov 27, 2010 12:55 PM

Hi Vikrant, Sounds a good config to me...Also can you suggest me a good PSU...( I have zeroed upon ZOTAC GTX460 1GB Amp Edition and Phenom II X2 555, please let me know the approx price for these and a good PSU...will Gigabyte 460 W work out for this config). Certainly I would to like to sell of my CPU and GPU. GPU is of 128 bit.

Sunil

,Mumbai, on Nov 22, 2010 11:36 AM

can u tell me where i can find this card (ATI 5670) under 5k,

Vikrant Bhave

,Jalgaon, on Nov 22, 2010 02:24 PM

@ Roydon & Karthik Thanks a lot for your help. Is there any good nvidia card [within my budget] which compares to HD5750? I am asking because,my motherboard is Sli capable [ 2x Pci ex 16x] I am gaming at 1280x1024[17"crt]

Thyknd

,Calicut, on Nov 19, 2010 05:29 PM

Please help...will lenovo ideapad y460 with i7 and hd 5650 perform well for gaming purpose

Zag

,Mumbai, on Nov 19, 2010 06:03 PM

@thyknd should suffice depending on what games you play and the level of detail you intend to keep on.

dude

,kochi, on Nov 21, 2010 10:40 PM

That setup can play most of the games at native res except crysis and metro 2033.

Karthik

,Chennai, on Nov 20, 2010 03:42 PM

The MSI Hawk HD5770 is available for as low as 8.8k and isnt it a better buy than the Asus GTS450 which is priced higher?

Roydon

,Techtree, on Nov 20, 2010 05:46 PM

The HAWK is a great card but you have to tinker around and really push it to see some real world benefits, otherwise it's just the standard 5770 with a fancy cooler. For people who don't want to bother with that, you pay a little more and get a much faster card right out of the box, not to mention better driver support.

Karthikeyan

,Chennai, on Nov 21, 2010 01:28 AM

IINM still the Asus GTS450 Top barely manages to topple the stock clocked HD5770 and thus the cheaper HD5770 Hawk version is more VFM even if the user doesnt O.C it.

Abhishek

,Bangalore, on Nov 19, 2010 06:15 PM

Hi Roydon, I am currently using a 9400GT, if I use Sapphire HD 5670 512MB GDDR5, then do I need to change the PSU also? I am having a 450w PSU,do I have to upgrade it. Other things I have are AMD Athlon Phenom X2 650, 4gb DDR2, 1TB HDD, MB I have forgotten the name. Please suggest.

Anil

,cochin/tvm, on Nov 19, 2010 08:32 PM

@Abhishek You don't need to change your current PSU as the minimum requirement is a 400W PSU. Hence your 450W PSU will do fine fro Sapphire HD5670. However, if you plan for ATI Crossfire (dual mode gfx card), you will need 500W or above.

Karthikeyan

,Chennai, on Nov 21, 2010 01:25 AM

Which Brand's 450w PSU? If thats an elcheapo one that comes with the case then i suggest u change ur PSU ASAP. Get a decent PSU like the Gigabyte Superb 460 ~ 2k

Vikrant Bhave

,Jalgaon, on Nov 20, 2010 06:08 PM

Thanks Roydon.. Great article :) My config: MB - Asus M2N32 SLi DLX CPU - AMD Athlon X2 3800+ [Socket AM2] RAM - Corsair XMS2 2GB 800 MHz [DDR 2] GPU - Nvidia 7800 GT 256 MB 256 Bit. PSU - Corsair HX620 I still can play most games except GTA4,Metro2033,etc. Can u please suggest a Cpu & Gpu under 10k? Is it possible to install a Socket AM3 or AM2+ cpu on Socket AM2 Or do i need to upgrade the motherboard?

Roydon

,Techtree, on Nov 20, 2010 08:31 PM

Hi Vikrant, you can most certainly use AM3 CPUs on that board. Just check the Asus site for which BIOS is needed for current AM3 CPUs. It would be better to update the BIOS first before installing the new CPU. The Phenom II X2 555 should do nicely for ~4.9K. As for the GPU, the HD5670 if you are not gaming at full HD res OR a HD4850 should fit in your 10K budget. If you can stretch your budget a bit then get the HD5750 which should be about 1.5K more.

Karthik

,Chennai, on Nov 20, 2010 09:53 PM

I would suggest the AthlonII X3 440 ~ Rs.3550 and the MSI HD5750 1Gb GDDR5 ~ Rs.6900. Its just above ur 10k budget. Prices taken from SMCInternational website, Delhi.

Confucious

,Mango Tree, on Nov 20, 2010 10:18 AM

Okie.... m confused here.... wht abt 1GB gfx cards below 5K. What difference does it make and which is better???

Roydon

,Techtree, on Nov 20, 2010 12:05 PM

All 1GB cards below 5K will in all probability be slower than a 512MB HD5670. The 1GB is added just to make the low end cards attractive to uninformed buyers who make their buying decision based on the amount of RAM rather than the actual chipset. Long story short, ignore cards with 1GB RAM under 5K.

Confucious

,Mango Tree, on Nov 20, 2010 01:00 PM

tks!!!

Karthik

,Chennai, on Nov 20, 2010 03:45 PM

Yup as Roydon says 1GB VRAM in sub 5k cards are pretty useless. The HD5670 is an excellent VFM card and the icing in the cake it doesnt need a PCI-E power connector. It consumes ~70w at load :) Its the best sub 5k card in the market

Techetech

,Tech-heaven, on Nov 20, 2010 03:39 PM

why cant i put a link on the comment section??

Techetech

,Tech-heaven, on Nov 20, 2010 03:35 PM

nicely done and on the spot too

Kushal

,Pune, on Nov 20, 2010 11:54 AM

when you say the 8800gt is a good card...is it safe to say that even my 9800gt is stil good??

Roydon

,Techtree, on Nov 20, 2010 11:58 AM

Yes, the 9800GT is a re-branded 8800GT :)

Abhirup

,Pune, on Nov 19, 2010 09:03 PM

Dear Roydon, Believe me or not I am playing each game under this mother earth in 1900x1200 on my Full HD LCD Samsung 26 inch Monitor with highest settings and full anti aliasing (Games like Crysis,Dirt2,Call of duty Black Ops) Vsynch offcources is ON and I am not regretting it. Its a superb card.And I am sorry no lesser card can handle the power or the Such high settings. Graphics Card: ASUS Nvidia Geforce 470 GTX CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0 Ghz RAM: 4 GB PSU :750 Watt VIP

Roydon

,Techtree, on Nov 19, 2010 10:05 PM

Hey Abhirup, I do believe you :) The problem with the GTX470 is that it is too power hungry and overpriced in India. Currently spending anything more than 15K on a graphics card is not worth it since the games aren't that demanding and plus the depreciation rate a lot higher compared to cards under 15K.

Opinion Poll

Which desktop web browser do you use?
Internet Explorer

Firefox

Chrome

Safari

Opera

Other (specify in comments)
Poll Results View Previous Polls