Cheap Replacement Card Options

[Statiscuro]

My 6970 recently died and I've been quoted a few weeks for the warranty process to run its course (on top of the 2 weeks I've already waited).

So now I'm looking at getting a bottom end graphics card to fill the void and I'm wondering if they're all the same? Any recommendations? I'm after anything around the $50 mark.

It will probably only get used for a few weeks then just sit in a box as a spare.

[ReapermanRS]

In that price range you've really only got the GT 430 for about $60 bucks from Nvidia and the HD6450 from ATI for between $40 - $60. And they are both going to be next to useless for any sort of modern game at anymore than 1080 x 768.

You haven't got someone you could borrow a card off? Or see if someone in Trademart has something semi decent they would part with.

[nesquick]

if you want to play any games I have seen HD6790's for like $110 which is not a bad card.

[p0is0n]

you can find 5770's for about $50 these days, that would be a decent replacement for a few weeks.

[Statiscuro]

I can live without playing games for a few weeks so this card is really only to get my PC running again.

I guess I was more wondering if of the cheap cards (GT430, HD6450) there were any brands that are better or more reliable than the others or if they're all pretty much identical.

[nesquick]

if you only need it for a month just get whatever.

edit: whats your setup consist of? if you have a 2500k or 2600k they have a built in GPU and if you have a Z68 mobo you could just use that.

This post has been edited by nesquick: Feb 19 2012, 06:01 PM

[nobody813]

For simplicity, I'd go for the cheapest Radeon you can find. Catalyst drivers will recognize the new card, and you'll only have to restart to get it working 100%. Or at least that's how it worked for me with my ATI cards

[Statiscuro]

Unfortunately I don't have an on-board GPU, but this is feature I might take more seriously next time! I seem to have a talent for killing graphics cards.

I agree, the cheapest ATI I can find seems to be the way to go.

[fenix14]

Unfortunately I don't have an on-board GPU, but this is feature I might take more seriously next time! I seem to have a talent for killing graphics cards.

I agree, the cheapest ATI I can find seems to be the way to go.

I have a 8800GTX that i can give u for free if u want just pay for postage its just collecting dust Just private msg me if u want it. I also have a HD 4870 not sure if its working.

[ReapermanRS]

Unfortunately I don't have an on-board GPU, but this is feature I might take more seriously next time! I seem to have a talent for killing graphics cards.

I agree, the cheapest ATI I can find seems to be the way to go.

I have a 8800GTX that i can give u for free if u want just pay for postage its just collecting dust Just private msg me if u want it. I also have a HD 4870 not sure if its working.

A word to the wise the gtx is probably worth keeping. Believe it or not the 4870 is probably worth less.

[mattyamdfanboi]

im gaming at 1920x1080 atm with a shitty 8800gts.. i dont see how a newer more powerful bottom end card wouldnt do better.. sure im playing it on low settings.. but fuck! im playing arent i?? game is bf3 btw.. plays it no problem.. get anywhere from 30-50fps depending on the scene..

[lemaster22]

Unfortunately I don't have an on-board GPU, but this is feature I might take more seriously next time! I seem to have a talent for killing graphics cards.

I agree, the cheapest ATI I can find seems to be the way to go.

I have a 8800GTX that i can give u for free if u want just pay for postage its just collecting dust Just private msg me if u want it. I also have a HD 4870 not sure if its working.

you could sell that on ebay to someone who wants to sli their system and send him the money to buy a new card
everybody wins:P

[Statiscuro]

you could sell that on ebay to someone who wants to sli their system and send him the money to buy a new card
everybody wins:P

lol, that would be nice! But no, thanks everyone I've just bought a $39 HD6450 to get me back up and running.

[alex8337]

Don't hold your breath. My 6970's took months to come back after I sent them in for warranty.

I've got a brand new and unused 6770 for $100pp if your keen.

This post has been edited by alex8337: Feb 21 2012, 03:46 PM

[Statiscuro]

Don't hold your breath. My 6970's took months to come back after I sent them in for warranty.

I've got a brand new and unused 6770 for $100pp if your keen.

Thanks for the heads up! Mine was a Gigabyte too.

I never tested it for heat problems before it died because never had any issues. But one day while watching a YouTube video of all things it crashed hard and never came back, couldn't even boot with it.

[gazman2k3]

The GT 430 is a good card for the price.

[Statiscuro]

Update!

After 7 weeks I've just been told the distributor is not able to repair or replace the card so I have been issued a refund.

Now I need to find a replacement card with my $399. Any suggestions for a similarly priced, similar performance card?

I'm considering steering away from the 6970s now that I've been burnt, I might look at the GTX 570s.

[fenix14]

Update!

After 7 weeks I've just been told the distributor is not able to repair or replace the card so I have been issued a refund.

Now I need to find a replacement card with my $399. Any suggestions for a similarly priced, similar performance card?

I'm considering steering away from the 6970s now that I've been burnt, I might look at the GTX 570s.

Wait for the 7870 mate :)

[Statiscuro]

Wait for the 7870 mate :)

Yeah I see these are out now and not much more expensive that the 6970. Could be the way to go

[cohmoddersolo]

If you dont desperately need a card now, I say wait for the Nvidia new cards to come, and hopefully prices will come down. More cards to choose from too.