Choose a graphics card for me
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Choose a graphics card for meI'm slowing bringing together the items needed for a computer I want to build. I know computers fairly well, components and finding what fits isn't a problem, but I've never understood what makes a good graphics card, and tbh, I don't really care.
If someone could recommend one based on the spec below, I'll be most appreciative:
- Sub £200
- will be used for dual monitors, fairly heavy CAD, fairly light gaming (would be nice to play some fairly new games, don't care about full resolution/spec, don't care if it doesn't play the absolute latest games).
- main use of computer will be media playback, music/videos, and storage (will be RAIDing up some HDD's. Recently lost 1.5TB of data, NEVER AGAIN), of course neither of these things require a particular good graphics card. Other computer uses will be browsing, word documents, MATLAB/programming, IM, multi OS (Windows and Ubuntu). Again, nothing overly graphic intensive.
- don't mind paying a bit more for something more 'future-proof', rather than the bare minimum for the cheapest price. (I know with Moore's law what I've said is fairly impossible, but I'm sure you get what I mean).
Although may change, I'm fairly fond of the Intel Core i5 3570K processor and the Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H motherboard. Seem fairly top line but modest price, open to recommendations on those too if anyone has an opinion. Will have at least 8GB of RAM, ideally 16/32GB though (depending on my overall price at the end of component selection).
Recommendations, go! -
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Re: Choose a graphics card for meGet an i7? If you're doing CAD, encoding etc. then it could see a big increase in performance. Do you need 32GB RAM? 8 or 16GB of higher speed/performance RAM would probably be better unless you're talking absolutely huge CAD modelling(Original post by NotSoIncognito)
I'm slowing bringing together the items needed for a computer I want to build. I know computers fairly well, components and finding what fits isn't a problem, but I've never understood what makes a good graphics card, and tbh, I don't really care.
If someone could recommend one based on the spec below, I'll be most appreciative:
- Sub £200
- will be used for dual monitors, fairly heavy CAD, fairly light gaming (would be nice to play some fairly new games, don't care about full resolution/spec, don't care if it doesn't play the absolute latest games).
- main use of computer will be media playback, music/videos, and storage (will be RAIDing up some HDD's. Recently lost 1.5TB of data, NEVER AGAIN), of course neither of these things require a particular good graphics card. Other computer uses will be browsing, word documents, MATLAB/programming, IM, multi OS (Windows and Ubuntu). Again, nothing overly graphic intensive.
- don't mind paying a bit more for something more 'future-proof', rather than the bare minimum for the cheapest price. (I know with Moore's law what I've said is fairly impossible, but I'm sure you get what I mean).
Although may change, I'm fairly fond of the Intel Core i5 3570K processor and the Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H motherboard. Seem fairly top line but modest price, open to recommendations on those too if anyone has an opinion. Will have at least 8GB of RAM, ideally 16/32GB though (depending on my overall price at the end of component selection).
Recommendations, go!
As for the card, there are loads in the £1-200 price range. e.g. the Nvidia x50/60/70/80/90 and the AMD x870/950/970/990 and so on. A graphics card with higher memory would probably serve you well. -
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Re: Choose a graphics card for mehttp://www.ebuyer.com/362480-gigabyt...-gv-r785oc-2gd
Fast GPU, 2GB VRAM (good for multiple monitors), will play everything on the market today at high detail. i5 is fine, if CAD software will support 8 threads, an i7 is worthy of extra investment. Couldn't say for sure if the last gen i7s are worth going for over this gen i5s... might be worth a look.
What kinda RAID setup you going for? I presume mirrored? -
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Re: Choose a graphics card for meIf it's heavy CAD and the likes an i7-3770k would perform much better, the i5-3570k is good as well but hasn't got hyperthreading, their is no difference in terms of gaming sometimes the i7 is worse.(Original post by NotSoIncognito)
I'm slowing bringing together the items needed for a computer I want to build. I know computers fairly well, components and finding what fits isn't a problem, but I've never understood what makes a good graphics card, and tbh, I don't really care.
If someone could recommend one based on the spec below, I'll be most appreciative:
- Sub £200
- will be used for dual monitors, fairly heavy CAD, fairly light gaming (would be nice to play some fairly new games, don't care about full resolution/spec, don't care if it doesn't play the absolute latest games).
- main use of computer will be media playback, music/videos, and storage (will be RAIDing up some HDD's. Recently lost 1.5TB of data, NEVER AGAIN), of course neither of these things require a particular good graphics card. Other computer uses will be browsing, word documents, MATLAB/programming, IM, multi OS (Windows and Ubuntu). Again, nothing overly graphic intensive.
- don't mind paying a bit more for something more 'future-proof', rather than the bare minimum for the cheapest price. (I know with Moore's law what I've said is fairly impossible, but I'm sure you get what I mean).
Although may change, I'm fairly fond of the Intel Core i5 3570K processor and the Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H motherboard. Seem fairly top line but modest price, open to recommendations on those too if anyone has an opinion. Will have at least 8GB of RAM, ideally 16/32GB though (depending on my overall price at the end of component selection).
Recommendations, go!
Also that motherboard is very very good value for money and can only do crossfire.
Sub £200 graphics card like others have said it's definitely the 7850 HD............... -
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Re: Choose a graphics card for meThanks for all the suggestions. Seems two people are unanimous on a certain graphic card. What's so good about this one then? Purely spec for price or is there some special gem?
Also, the i7 looks good, but at £255 I can't justify that over £170 for the i5. -
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Re: Choose a graphics card for mei7- quad core, 8 threads(Original post by NotSoIncognito)
Thanks for all the suggestions. Seems two people are unanimous on a certain graphic card. What's so good about this one then? Purely spec for price or is there some special gem?
Also, the i7 looks good, but at £255 I can't justify that over £170 for the i5.
i5, quad core, 4 threads
It's to do with the threads, it capable of far more processes and hyperthreading, which makes the most intense cpu using programs easier. -
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Re: Choose a graphics card for meI agree on the 7850. There's nothing that special - it's just the best value for money card in the £150-£200 price range and is very power efficient.(Original post by NotSoIncognito)
Thanks for all the suggestions. Seems two people are unanimous on a certain graphic card. What's so good about this one then? Purely spec for price or is there some special gem?
Also, the i7 looks good, but at £255 I can't justify that over £170 for the i5.
