How To Buy A PC Graphics Card

@otakuoverlord: 14 - play the most boring games from this generation.

I wish that there was some universal standard. Perhaps the 3DMark06 results could be published on all the card boxes as a benchmark and the games themselves could specify what 3Dmark06 result from a card is needed to play them.

mcderek3000

@notquitedeadyet: you could also read this, they remake the list at every 2 weeks i think:
[www.tomshardware.com]

ncv

@i.roboto: Yea I'm sure I read on here that AMD/Nvidia are prepping to launch their next generation of cards at the end of this year/early next.

@ヽ(´ー｀)ﾉ (NO MEANS YES): But for the rest of us without a million bucks this guide s handy

nesstee

Always buy the newest one that isn't the newest one.

Kirohitaku

@DrunkAus: heh, I didn't know 4770 was that good. I'll have to look into it.

I know the next 6 mo. cycle is approaching I'm hoping for all prices to drop across the board with it's release.

i.roboto

The gizmodo guide is terrible. Its real easy
-Dont be cheap
-If nvidia always go GTX
-Its worth the $ for extra fps with SLI or Crossfire
-Make sure your mobo isnt going to bottle neck your new cards

BonusPts

@somarix: Sorry I didn't go further into this it was pretty damn late. Of course the older cards wouldn't be able to do everything the new ones would since that would be bad marketing. That wiki link is helpful though and it clearly stated this.

The Direct3D 11 runtime will be able to run on Direct3D 9 and 10.x-class hardware and drivers, using the D3D10_FEATURE_LEVEL1 functionality first introduced in Direct3D 10.1 runtime. This will allow developers to unify the rendering pipeline and make use of API improvements such as better resource management and multithreading even on entry-level cards, though advanced features such as new shader models and rendering stages will only be exposed on up-level hardware.

@2c-b:

Well if found it helpful. THough I would agree the point could have been gotten across in a fourth of the text used.

ctorrans

GuyThreepwood: Usually the most raged commenters in discussions like these are the ones that blow the most cash per year on video cards.

Guy, your comment was completely short-sighted. Please read your comment 10 times and actually THINK about it, instead of thinking about the next $2000 quad-SLI setup you need to get in order to stay 2 frames per second ahead on the next overrated Crysis expansion.

StillLee

@notquitedeadyet:

I also appreciate this topic. In fact I was bitching about this subject here on Kotaku not to long ago so... thumbs up soldier! *cheesy pose*

Pro tip: Never go for the GT model on the GeForce line. Those are the poor ones. Always go for GTS or GTX.

@zach a mac rack alack: I c what ya did there

@Vysion: Yeah, it's a valid point alright but at the same time, controllers are supported in most new PC releases. It is nice to step away from a desk every once in a while though.

-MasterDex-

@somarix: Ahhh, I see. I'll have to read up more on DX11. Other than the initial announcement I haven't looked too deeply into it.

-MasterDex-

@-MasterDex-: limited.

@somarix: I'm pretty sure tesselation is possible on DX10 cards, at least in the ATI camp. I could be wrong though.

-MasterDex-

@tormenta3001:
By console spesifications, you can buy a 150 USD Graphics card and it will last you for 10years, playing ALL the games.

@-MasterDex-: tesselation among other stuff.

@Merch Wnek: Oops. Thought I put 768, must've hit the 2 by mistake.

Derangel

@UCHU: That is the exact same thing I did.

brainboy77

@i.roboto: Actually the way to go imo is the 4770, beats the 4850 and in some cases beats the 4870 and yet is cheaper than both. I wasnt gonna upgrade but decided I might as well pick one up seeing as how cheap they are and how well they perform, and it should secure my rig for another 3 or so years at least, for a mid range card thats damn good, my 8800 is starting to show its age a bit, plus I got a friend who wants a better gfx card :)

@Derangel: everything you are saying is spot on mate :) but "At the average resolution of today's computers (1024x728)" average resolution of todays computers is actually 1280x768.

i still use 1 8800gt and i play all games on high 0-2xAA at 1280x768 window mode. i could care less for any thing higher, still out performing consoles at there native resolution.

Merch Wnek

@stikkbomber: I believe you have a valid point that people who work with computers may not want to relax with the same mouse/keyboard setup.

@notquitedeadyet: Yes. Thanks for bringing this to light.
I have an old PC and am struggling with whether a new video card is worth it, given what my power supply probably is. A new PC is too much investment for strictly gaming, when the old PC is working fine for MS Office 2007, internet, and email. Yet I'm fearful of getting a replacement video card and trying to install it, screwing up my currently operating PC.

Just buy a good graphics card a few months after a major console release and it should last the console's lifetime and more. (example: 8800gtx, which still works perfectly with any game).

Greg Rassam

@i.roboto: to be fair to console owners. I still like my console -- it's not that PC gaming is far cheaper than most people think, I think console gaming is far more expensive then we're lead to believe.

PC probably hits you up all up front, but console games slowly eat at your cash over time. A new mouse keyboard and monitor and harddrive, cdrom drive aren't really needed when you overhaul your PC. It's really all mobo, cpu, ram and video card -- of which you can get great top of the line performance for a value err 650-700

i.roboto

@-Hairball-: Yea. Definitely way to go now is 4850/4870.

Though I'm going to get hit for 240 CAD at the high which is officially now the cost of a 360 60gb.

Coupled with a corei7/4gb ram a solid mobo, and you've got crysis running at a level a 360 or ps3 will never touch, but at that point in time the investment would have been 700 CAD at least.

I'm going to be totally realistic. I regret the fact that I went x360 and decided to drop my PC. My PC really is 5 years old. Athlon 3200xp or some crap, coupled with a 6600GT, 1 gb of ram, old mobo.

It can hold with left 4 dead, anything beyond source engine and my rig is toast.

When I went to buy a 360, which cost me 400: 3 more controllers, a new 360 3 years later (275) the cost of Live on and off, and a joystick, games - would run me a bill upwards to 1000 dollars.

If I'd known it was going to be like this I would have stayed PC. It would probably cost nearly the same but I'd have a much stronger rig, and the games I wanted to play the most on 360 are better implemented on PC ... sans the fact that the RPGs come out on 360 first, but w/e.

i.roboto

@Derangel:

1. I was thinking more of the technology push for the home vid game business. apologies for the lack of clarity.

2. Yeah that reads like crap. Try this: "When I get done with work and want to play video games, I'd like to do so on something much more dissimilar, like a console and controller, from the "tools" I use at work all day. Call me kooky..."

Actually that whole post could be rewritten...need...more...coffee...should I just disemvowel that whole thing and be done with it?

@stikkbomber: The arcade actually started what we call the video game industry today.

Derangel

@Ariakkan: HA! You're not very intelligent if you actually believe that bullshit you just said. One of my GPUs could run Crysis at Very High at a res only a little lower than my native. There is no game on the market able to match it graphically. If it wasn't for the game imposing limits based on VRAM I could probably nearly max out GTA IV, with the only thing holding me back being my dual-core CPU. What is there besides those two games that have a legitimate reason to be system killers? Crystasis? No, its just got optimization issues and PhysX is terrible on performance.

For reference I have 2 9800GTXs, a 750i motherboard, and a E8400 that doesn't overclock worth a damn. Also 4gigs of DDR2 800.

The fact that my system, which can be built for around $1000, can run all but one game on the market at top settings at 1920x1200 proves your statement to be complete crap and proves you don't know shit about computers.

Lets look at some other cards. The 4770, absolutely amazing card for $100. At the average resolution of today's computers (1024x728) it is a great card that performs incredibly well. Continuing with that res, the 4850 and GTS250. Perfect cards, won't need anything higher for a while. 1440x900, get a 4870 or GTX260. Or double up on a 4770. Bam.

The last time I built a high-end system was when I first went to college. That system lasted four years. It wasn't until Oblivion came out that I found myself having to make a lot of sacrifices. Outside of the 8800GTS 320, the system I built in 07 would still be great system to this day, still able to play most games at near top settings, depending on the resolution.

High-end hardware is a rip-off, plain and simple.

Derangel

@stikkbomber: What?

@Ariakkan: I reckon that the most expensive is usually a rip off. There's newer cards out now, but take the GTX 260 and 280 for example. The 280 performs about 5-10% better than the 260 in benchmarks, yet had a price of a few hundred dollars more. Unless you're a total enthusiast, there really isn't much point to getting the "top of the line" everything.

For those looking to get a top end PC, I'd recommend getting hardware that is near to, but not the absolute best, available. You essentially get the same performance but without the financial burden.

2c-b

@WonderingCow: It's hardly outdated, what games can that card not run on high settings? Also buying the DX11 cards as soon as they come out is a pretty big waste of money, wait for the price to drop a bit.

PC gaming is what started the vid game biz, and it's pushed the vid game bix forward ftmp.

Having written that, I work on a keyboard and mouse all damn day. When I get done with work and want to play video games, I'd like to do so on something much more dissimilar from the "tools" I use at work all day, like a console. Call me kooky...

@NitroAML: I think your research is prolly spot on...

This helps a lot Thanks.

They are like candy, and I want to get a taste of all of 'em!

Can I Really Be the Hero?

@WiNg0o: yeah the monthly article on tomshardware is very useful.

Rob_Nomad

@Ariakkan: note to self: it's easier to maintain cutting edge hardware once you have done the first investment. Once you have a good rig then its just a matter of upgrading on a modular basis

Ariakkan

@-MasterDex-: agreed. i'm really fine playing at 1920*1200 with my 8800gts512. i won't upgrade it until a directx11 game i like comes out (next year?).

Rob_Nomad

Clearly, best tip is to purchase the most expensive one (exluding dedicated hardware lke Nvidia Quadro).
Why? Buy a budget card and in one year you will hardly play any AAA graphics intensive game.
Sad, but true. If you want to take the most out of your gaming time you need the best hardware.
If you just play casual games or don't give a damn about visuals or framerates, then thats a different story.

Ariakkan

@Adnoz: The prices on the 4770 have actually been higher than a 4850 due to demand lately

zod000

Thanks Luke. I think more links and articles about helping people find ways to game on their PC's is a good thing. Nice to know your an avid PC gamer.

homernoy

@notquitedeadyet: i completely agree. and it came with perfect timing to boot! thanks mr luke!

@Adnoz: Really? I hadn't heard that. Any info on what specifically won't be doable on DX10 cards?

-MasterDex-

@-MasterDex-:

"My view is if you don't like PC gaming, stay away from PC gaming articles."

Ok, That may be true aswell.

tormenta3001

@-MasterDex-:

Thank You Sir, thats an answer I much likely respect.

What about the "optimization" thing? Games on Consoles, thru the Years get really optimized so the same old cards do show much more at as any point a PC game would take advantage of the same card. So, being a little bit inacurrate, a old card get to show the same power as a newer card which Game´s hasnt been fully optimized for.

Maybe I really do live on a myth but f.e. Games like Gran Turismo or Metal gear Solid 4.. can a Pc with a 7800 match that?

True about consoles getting the same patch virus thingy.. sad but true.. as Cavefish says, its not turn on and game anymore (or you turn the inet off).. hopefully it doesnt get that much further..

tormenta3001

@R0CKFISH:
@-MasterDex-:
Both correct and slightly wrong;
DX9/10/10.1 cards will run DX11, however, they won't be able to fully utilise it, there are certain features which require new hardware.

@-MasterDex-: Patching is certainly a big problem on PC.
And it seems the consoles are heading down that lane too if they're not careful.

Having always played both sides, I've always enjoyed what both had to offer.
Sadly consoles are slowly losing that feeling of "immediate gaming" I used love so much about them. There's at least a process of a minute or so before you start gaming - more if it's in need of an install or patch.

Most PC games on the other hand patch up in-game by now. No more finding different versions on suspicious sites.

Cavefish

1- Establish a budget for your purchase.
2- Research which graphics card you can afford.
3- Research better-performing graphics cards.
4- Decide you'll spend just a little more for more power.
5- Spend forty hours staring at the top of the line card.
6- Sell extra stuff to pay for upgrade to best card.
7- Purchase top of the line card.
8- Realize you need two more for triple SLi.
9- Realize you need a new CPU and MoBo for triple SLi.
10- Sell blood, sperm, first born, etc.
11- Buy what you need to make the best damn PC ever!
12- Append new specs to all your forum sigs.
13- Wait ten minutes for everything you just bought to drop in price by 50%, and be eclipsed by the next version, which is twice as powerful.

@AncientUnknown1: If you're replacing when the 5000 series hits, you'd be better off going for a 4770 now. Less expensive than the 4850, uses less power, and I hear it's pretty nice for overclocking.

@tormenta3001: I'm sorry, I did jump the gun a bit but seeing comments like your initial one that push this untrue myth really gets to me. You're entitled to your own opinion and preference of course, I don't want to challenge that.

There's a few things in your reply I want to respond to though.

If you buyed a PC last year for 499$, I just cant believe you can play in 5 Years the Games pS3 will be running on it and look both as good.

The thing is you will be. If the PS3 can run it, the PC can run it looking better. The GPU in the PS3 is rather weak. It's the equivalent of the 7800 which upon it's release back in '05/'06 was a mainstream/mid-range card. Now, it's a card you'd find in a bargain bin. Unless developers can unlock the full potential of the Cell and optimize graphics processing on it then it's highly likely that a machine bought last year for $499 will run games that are on the PS3 better looking than the PS3 5 years down the road.

And besides, my other argument was no to deal with the patches orgie..

Patching is certainly a big problem on PC. Anyone that's every tried reinstalling Company of Heroes can attest to that but you can see that the same issue is starting to creep into console gaming as well. The need for patches often results from developers or publishers rushing through beta testing and/or QA and not addressing issues before launch because they know that they can go back and patch things post-release. Now with the consoles allowing developers to do the same thing, the problem is no longer unique to PC's.

Drivers and compatibility will be an issue for a while to come but Windows 7 looks like it's going to solve a lot of that problem.

PC gaming comes with it's downsides and many people are turned off by it but that doesn't and shouldn't give those people free reign to shit on the platform without fully understanding it as you see so often here on Kotaku in articles about PC gaming.

My view is if you don't like PC gaming, stay away from PC gaming articles.

-MasterDex-

@expansionsss - the jaded gamer: [H] is pretty much my one-stop-shop for hardware these days. I just can't stand reading benchmarks anymore. They don't do anything for me. Also helps that the community has a lot of people who buy products day one and report on their experiences. Used to really like Tom's, but not for a while.

As for PC games themselves, just look around the web for impressions. I find the [H] community to be way too stuck up their own asses when it comes to games to pay them much mind.

Derangel

Thank's! i need to step up my PC game up. >_>

@Jellopnik: Yeah....No. I did the "buy the most expensive" thing once and I will never do it again. The card in question was the Nvidia Geforce FX5900 Ultra (I believe, been a few years). Now this was back when high-end GPUs weren't $600, but still the card was beat out, soundly, by lower-end 9800 models. I got a 9800SE later on, unlocked the locked pipelines, did some mild overclocking and had a better card for half the price. That was the last time I went for the high-end cards.

I currently have 2 9800GTXs, which together cost about $300. Playing everything at 1920x1200 at or near max settings, even Crysis. Could run GTAIV a lot higher if not for my VRAM limitations and the fact that the game actually runs better on a C2Q. I can max out the settings it allows me to though.

Derangel

@tormenta3001:

Correction, "got sick of pc gaming" not "sick of consoles"

If you are reading that out of context.. I translate:

Because of my preferences, I got sick of..

Not meaning:

Its Bullshit so I got sick of..

tormenta3001

@Blah8: Mostly on the Nvidia camp. ATI is pretty straight forward.

@Trepie: I'm all about playing games online with friends, and all the gamers i've known for decades all grew up using Consoles. They all adore the 360.

None of them want to use a PC for gaming.So there's no point for me to even trying.

Also considering how COD4 is my most played game and the 360 has the most amount of users helps a lot.

@R0CKFISH:

I don't really care for DX11 to be honest, I'm only holding out for the next generation before upgrading, which coincidingly are DX11.

I was pretty damn close on pulling the trigger on a ATI 4890 recently, but I figured I'd wait.

WonderingCow

Upgrading the PC is something I do religiously once a year. I dunno I just like building cabinets.

When I was younger and poorer, it'd be a step by step upgrade of replacing it part by part first the mboard and ram, then the gfx etc etc.

I was timing my next upgrade with the release of the new graphics cards we're told will happen later this year post the Win7 release (which btw if you're in the UK or EU and you pre-order between july 16th and august 8th can get for £49(home premium) and £99 for pro).

@Jellopnik: Well I wouldn't pro-tip that to anyone unless I was sure what their MBoard and PSU was. lol I'd hate for them to like up their graphics on some game to the max and then the PC restarts.

@Dead Giveaway: Amen. Sometimes I do wish I had the patience and knowledge to be a PC gamer, but I always prefer the easy way in life.

@Esper mind tricks: I'd sy there's no point going below the 8800GT/9800GT and 4830. With how cheap those cards are now and the performance they put out, they're great value for money.

-MasterDex-

@-MasterDex-:

Very well spoken words. In part you are true.. but some of them are not very realistic. If you buyed a PC last year for 499$, I just cant believe you can play in 5 Years the Games pS3 will be running on it and look both as good.

And besides, my other argument was no to deal with the patches orgie.. I used to play some games on pc, but time to time some games didnt start correctly, needed patches and stuff.. bioshock was the game it got my patience killed.. I spent the full price of the game, then to wait for patches to get it correctly running on my system months later, by the time I could get the game by half the price.

Anyway, I never wanted to start a Consoles vs Pc flame war, I only stated that for myself, I am happy I choose f.e. a Ps3 and just enjoy games for years without any worries related to hardware, OS System and Drivers. If other People, like yoirself, can handle it without being it a worry and you like it, good for you.. I respect everybody´s opinion and let the People be happy with whatever works for them

Its ok too, you like to show me that I may be wrong, but not in the way like I was a console Warrior and I only want to destroy PC Gaming.

tormenta3001

@tormenta3001: God forbid you have an opinion and speak it. Good lord it's just sad sometimes with the responses around here.

I'm all for the console gaming, been doing it for over 2 decades and it's what started my habit.

But if it wasn't for the popularity of PC gaming, years after Nintendo, then I wouldn't be playing my favorite online enable console, the 360. I'd be stuck with the Wii and not having fun playing games with friends online.

PC gaming is great for more options, but when all I want to do is just game with a controller on a TV, i'm perfectly fine with what i've been doing since the 80s.

here is a hierarchy of graphi@Esper mind tricks: Here is a hierarchy of video cards:
[www.tomshardware.com]
Personally I wouldn't buy lower than a ATI 4670 or Nvidia 8800 GS. And really they are quite cheap now :)
*I have a Radeon 4850

@Mr.DuckSauce: How about a second confirmation. DX10 cards will be able to do DX11.

Here's a wiki link if you want it:[en.wikipedia.org]

-MasterDex-

@WiNg0o: I echo your comment exactly...apart from the newegg bit.

-MasterDex-

@AncientUnknown1: Why would you buy two cards in the space of 3 months. It's pointless. Get a card that suits your needs and stick with it until it becomes a bottleneck. There's no point throwing money down the drain, you're only helping to fuel the myth.

-MasterDex-

@2c-b: Good point man. I love buying a PC and customizing it. Consoles are too boring for me. For example I just bought a TRACKIR 5 head tracking device. It works natively in ARMA 2, HAWX, GRID, TDU, LOCK ON, GTR 2... and I am enjoying my games twice more than before.

Cant have that on consoles.

@Esper mind tricks: Exactly. The expensive ones are only marginally better than the ones $100-200 cheaper than them and unless you're running true 1080p, 1600p or 2048p then there really is very little need for the best cards on the market.

-MasterDex-

@ヽ(´ー｀)ﾉ (NO MEANS YES):

Yeah, apparently Microsoft doesn't want to face the shitstorm that they got for making DX10 exclusive to Vista all over again, so they're making the software compatible with DX10 cards to make people happy.

ReconToaster.

@Jellopnik: Actually it should be:
Find the most expensive one. Then buy two/three levels down that one.*

@tormenta3001: What you're saying in all your comments is nonsense. You can get a card at the start of a new console cycle for the same price (or cheaper) than the new console that will run all the games that are released over the next 5 years better looking than the consoles can pull off. The large choice available means you can pick and choose a card that suits your preference. Do you want a card that will run everything maxed 4 years down the line or do you want a card that will allow you to just run the games in the first place.

As it is, the cards released now for PC are nearly three times as powerful as those in the consoles and they're not all that expensive. Sure, there's the big power behemoths but they're targeted at the die-hard enthusiasts who don't care how much it costs.

You said in your last comment that you ran out of money and paitence. I'm going to respond to that by saying you didn't have the know-how to begin with because if you think that PC gaming is more expensive than console gaming then you're sorely mistaken. For the same price of a PS3, I could build a PC that will run everything out now and coming out within at least the next 2-3 years at a respectable framerate and fidelity. On top of that, I'll only have to pay a fraction (often half) of the price for new games and I have a system that can do so much more than your average console.

But continue to believe the BS you're sprouting. Those of us that know what we're talking about will sit back and laugh at your ignorance.

-MasterDex-

@R0CKFISH: citation needed.

Mr.DuckSauce

There is nothing in the world like playing Half-Life 2 or Team Fortress 2 at a nice 150+ FPS with the precision controls of a keyboard and mouse.

@tormenta3001:

Hey I own a PS3 and 360 as well I still enjoy them!

@R0CKFISH: Oh? This is certainly news to me.

ヽ(´ー｀)ﾉ (NO MEANS YES)

@2c-b:

I was one of the "lovers" until I ran out of Money and Patience ^^

tormenta3001

@WonderingCow: Hate to brake it to you but cards that can do DX10 will be able to do DX11.

@tormenta3001: Some people hate computers for all the customisation and knowledge required, yet others love it for the very same reason.

2c-b

@AncientUnknown1:

Ya but you also have to remember that they won't be cheap at first!

@GuyThreepwood:
Calm down, man. In the end it's all preference, and I don't see why his preference for consoles is anything to get worked up about.

Personally, I also like consoles. They are cheaper and are overall easier to deal with. I may very well build a proper gaming PC some day, but I just don't have the money right now.

@FtGF:

Yes, I know the Hardware was outdatet, yet the Games looks incredibly good enough for me.

tormenta3001

comment was @tormenta3001...

ヽ(´ー｀)ﾉ (NO MEANS YES)

My 8800 GTX feels so out-dated now.

Here's to buying the DX11 cards when it first comes out.

WonderingCow

@tormenta3001: Hey now, there's a graphics card out there for every gamer and every budget. PC gaming has its rewards. With my setup, I can play any given multiplatform title (excluding GTA IV) at twice the HD resolution that a console will play it at, but also, my PC will render it at twice the framerate and with better anti-aliasing, PhysX, better filtering, higher-res textures, and longer draw distances, not to mention always being able to choose my key config.

ヽ(´ー｀)ﾉ (NO MEANS YES)

A@GuyThreepwood:

And a can get Sarcastic too:

Lets pay lots of Moneys on Hardware building it "my way", so Games coming out doesnt work right because everybody has it "his way" so patches comes out, crashes, etc etc.. and in a couple of years lets do all that shit..

That was another reason why I got definitly sick of consoles.. f.e. Bioshock.. I buyed it in day 1, then because it didnt work right on my system I got to wait 2 Months for a patch wich didnt still work...

No No.. I wanna turn system on, and PLay right away.. problem free for lots of years...

tormenta3001

@FtGF:
I meant except the CELL but really doesn't seem to do much for gaming.

I usually head over to Tom's Hardware to get lists comparing video cards, then use Newegg to find a particular one, then use google to find the cheapest. But I'm all gravy with my 8800 right now.

I'm buying a 4850 for my build right now, and then upgrading this fall when the new lines come out.

The 4890 is tempting, but more tempting is the 5000's series supposed to come out in a few months. I just can't see spending the money on one when it'll be replaced so soon.

AncientUnknown1

@tormenta3001:

Ya for sure consoles are easy. But they are considered the laymans machines. Highend video cards appeal to people who want the best. I mean the 360 and PS3 were pretty much already outdated (hardware wise) on launch day.

@GuyThreepwood:

I think you got me wrong. I am for multiple choice and *insert fredom speak here* and stuff. I was more like telling that with a Console I get a Machine with a GFCard inside Which it will be the same for lots of Years, and games are gonna be written for it and passing the Years being optimized for it and not forcing me to buy some new shiny GfxCard after only 2 Years.. By less choice I meant the Consoles (XBOX360/WII/PS3) , and yes, here I hope that number keeps small.

tormenta3001

long story short ( from that article ):

Use:
techreport, hardocp, anandtech, tomshardware, etc etc for computer hardware choices.

The opposite goes for pc gaming, most of these guys are benchmark junkies and lesser so gamers.

@tormenta3001: *mindless pc gamer ragefest* But really, unless your well rich and need to have the absolute best (read: overpowered waste of money) hardware you don't need to upgrade every 6 months or whatever everyone seems to think, I got my 8800 when it first came out (2006) and its still going strong, I don't see a need to upgrade anytime soon. PC gaming is far cheaper than most people think.

@tormenta3001: You like it because it's easier, which is a fair point considering thats the reason why consoles are so successful in the first place.

I'm a PC gamer myself, Excellent titles and unparalleled keyboard and Mouse combo can't go wrong.

Jellopnik

*points at picture*

HEY THAT'S THE ONE I HAVE

I was expecting a full run-down on all the cards out right now, with recommendations to the naive on what would be the ideal card for various computer setups.

That seems like the kind of thing which would be handy to those not in the know. Instead the article was long winded and full of jargon, with the only key points being that name means nothing and benchmarks are essential.

2c-b

@NitroAML: Yes.

@tormenta3001: You know, you're absolutely right. What we need more of in this world is less choice. Let's go for a world where we only have 3 types of cars available with no possible customizations and you get to keep that care for the next 5 years and nothing else. Forget "Have It Your Way" and let's welcome in a new era of "Have it the way corporations say you should have it." Where do I sign up?

GuyThreepwood

@tormenta3001: Based on my research, a shitstorm starts about right here.

What games do you play Luke?

A guide like this is always useful, especially when dealing with the particularly screwed up nomenclature clusterlove that is the GPU market.
Last-gen cards overlap current gen ones; numbers go up then down, then back up again; letters are tacked on with various in consistent meanings... craziness. That's not to say I don't have a pretty good handle on the market as it is, but it certainly can be intimidating for a casual shopper.

Blah8

Thats why I love Consoles, I only need to choose 1 and at least for the next 5 Years I dont need to get anything else. Well, by the Numbers of Exclusives Titles, maybe you could choose 2 at the same Time. At least that doesnt happen with regular GfXcards, Imagine Nvidia and Co. would have exclusives too O.o

tormenta3001

ProTip: Buy the most expensive one. Then buy one more.

Jellopnik

I'm thankful for articles like these.

notquitedeadyet

Woah, deja vu.