580: 1.5Gb vs 3Gb

[echrisinger]

So, I plan on getting a GeForce 580. Is there much need for the 3Gb version vs the 1.5Gb version? Or will 1.5Gb cut it? I'll be playing games mainly (CoD4, Css, BFBC2, BF3). I'm on a budget, so I'm wondering if I really should spend the extra $120.

Thanks

[Khalil]

Depends, how many monitors and what size and resolution? Do you plan on Raiding? I would say for certain the 1.5 will be far more than enough unless you are going to run 2 bigger than 24" monitors in higher resolution than 1920x1080

[echrisinger]

Originally Posted by Khalil Depends, how many monitors and what size and resolution? Do you plan on Raiding? I would say for certain the 1.5 will be far more than enough unless you are going to run 2 bigger than 24" monitors in higher resolution than 1920x1080

Mk. I'm going with the 1.5. I'm not raiding as I have an SSD. And my monitor is like 21 inches.

Sounds like a plan, and thanks

[Khalil]

No, raiding as in going on Raids (Large groups of players 24-40) in MMORPGs
For 21" the 1.5 is overkill so you will do great!

[David M]

More video RAM works more effectively with more pixels. A 21 inch monitor is considered somewhat small by today's standards.

[echrisinger]

So just a quick question,
Are galaxy cards trustworthy? I'm on a budget, and was looking on google and I thought I could get a 580 for like $400 bucks... well apparently not, and the cheapest I can find is $440 in a galaxy card. If not, is PNY a good company?

[glc]

Video Card Rating

Note that EVGA -AR series cards have a lifetime warranty if you register them within 30 days.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by echrisinger So just a quick question, Are galaxy cards trustworthy? I'm on a budget, and was looking on google and I thought I could get a 580 for like $400 bucks... well apparently not, and the cheapest I can find is $440 in a galaxy card. If not, is PNY a good company?

Galaxy is not reliable at all and their RMA service is the pits, if you must go Nvidia then like glc suggested go with EVGA or Asus, the lifetime warranty thing is really cool if they stay in business, after all look at what happend to the lifetime warranty from BFG, at one point they were the standard.

I would forget the GTX580 and get a 6970, you can't go wrong with one of those!

[Deathdiesel]

Originally Posted by Khalil I would forget the GTX580 and get a 6970, you can't go wrong with one of those!

Gotta agree with this. The 580 is probably overkill for your needs. I have a 580 wth 1.5memory, and ive yet to even slow it down. playing on one 1920x1080p 27" monitor it still is probably overkill for me too, but i was tired of trying to decide between a 6970 or a 570, and said screw it. To save money id go with a 6970, and if you need more later you can go crossfire, and then youd be really shaggin.

[echrisinger]

Originally Posted by Khalil I would forget the GTX580 and get a 6970, you can't go wrong with one of those!

So, to save money, would you guys say it's ok to get a 6950 and then do the Bios swap? I've 'heard' of people damaging their cards but I'm yet to see any evidence.
If so, is XFX a good brand, as their card is I think like $30-50 off that of the others, plus it has dual warranty.

[glc]

is XFX a good brand

Did you read the link I posted in post #7?

Another link for you:

Best Graphics Cards For The Money: July 2011 : Updates From June

[birddog_61]

2 things, monitor size makes no difference on game performance, the resolution does. A 6" 2560x1600 monitor would be harder to run than a 55" 1920x1080, second if you are gaming at 1920x1080 a gtx 570 or amd equivalent would be just about perfect. A 570 will max any current game besides metro at 40+FPS at 1920x1080, it should also be fine for any games coming out this year.

[Deathdiesel]

I heard some reviews about the bios swap with the 6950s that made me really not want to consider doing it. Again, people were saying it would start showing artifacts and etc, and can permanantly damage your card.