August 2015 Best Video Cards and where to find them in Canada or USA Part 2

For the next part were going to look at the next tier. The previous part 1 covered cards that are what I consider last generation. They are good enough to play games a couple of years old with little to no problems but they are lacking a bit when it comes to current games out. For me at least the next jump is also a jump in the pocket books (wallets).

The Nvidia GTX 770. This card sits much higher on the 3D Mark score, Now let me say this the 3D mark score is not always the best at determining which card is better but it does allow you to see its performance rating, some cards in the same class around 5 rankings of each other will provide similar experience it will come to preference, which mobo or CPU it's paired with and what game your playing.The 770 sits at spot 14 on the benchmark and this card can play most games today with all blings turned on. This is AnandTech round up of some popular GTX 770's.




As you can see in the chart this card still plugs away at 56 frames a second and that's with all the bling turned on. This is also higher than standard 1080p which to me is for your average gamer. Gaming at 4K is for the extremist ( I am looking at you PCMasterRace). Nothing wrong with this its out of the price range for many average enthusiasts. I would say most people just want to game with the candy on but not worried about getting over 30fps.


Lets head over to PC Parts picker Canada to see the price: $389 thats for Zotac,  I have used zotac in years but back when I did more building in 2003, god that was a long time I remember coming across them and since they have been around along time seems like there a legit company stilll offering decent prices for there cards. I can't say for sure there up to snuff with other companies such as EVGA or ASUS cards but they will get the job done.  That is the current price on Canada You can check out ebay for cheaper prices on used but remember used doesn't come with a warrenty. I have bought all my cards used including the GTX 770 EVGA SC  which is in my current setup. I even checked out Kijiji and I asked and got this card for 160 dollars Canadian. Guy wanted it gone so deals are to be had with awesome cards you just have to look and be patient.


Part three will be the conclusion and will cover the R9 Radeon 280X.

August 2015 Best Video Cards and where to find them in Canada or USA

Best video cards August  2015 Part 1
Just wanted to start this blog right and might as well delve into the heavy stuff. I first want to point out that I am learning just like everyone else and and seems as though although I did intially depend on www.gpuboss.com for finding which video card is better, it turns out that it is very unreliable. With the number of video cards out there motherboards power supplies and various games. You will just have to test it out This list is mostly generated from some knowledge and experience. Lest get started.

This list is mostly generated from http://www.futuremark.com/hardware/gpu This is where your going to find an ongoing  update list. From what I can tell with my experience this is most accurate up to date list of graphics cards and there performance across many systems and motherboards. The next best think to check out is http://www.anandtech.com/ where they heavily test each video card and other components giving you actual real life results. For example, A F1 race care is a fantastic race car but it just doesn't work driving on the road. Its' got lots of horse power breaking power but for performance while driving in town your going to notice some draw backs. This is where lists are important and you can only find them by reading. Some GPU may be higher in the series have slight more ram or super clocked but overall they just don't perform well when working in gaming environment.

So onto the list.

At the top we have

Nvidia GTX titan Z  this card has impressive specs and also has a impressive price tag Current price on amazon is $1333.99 USD. The power hungry GPU will take 375 W. This video card will crush anything you throw at it and of course why would it not for that price. Lets Step back and look at the list of what people can afford!


For everyone else who is not ultimate frame chasers but looking at just enjoyable gaming and is okay with frame going to 24fps. For this were going to go down the list to the 580 GTX this ranks in at 41 on the 3D benchmark.  At the price of 399 this is still to much lets go with AMD GPU which offer more budget friendly lets look at the R7 260X. This card uses a minimal 115 whats and at the price of 140 usd this is definitely a budget video card.  The points difference form these cards are 6190 for the 260x to 6640 for the GTX 580 is a minimal 450 points and the price difference for $259 usd  you get alot more bang fo you buck ith the 260X. This card is powerful don't get me wrong. I have someone I know that runs witcher 3 with some drops below 24fps on minimal settings but he is running the GTX 580. That game just came out and this card is from. 2013. At nearly two years later it still able to chug along and for most people on a budget the games they are playing are usually form earlier than 2013.

Plus if you pick this up on ebay your looking at a price of . for the 1g version by xfx there is currently one listed for 41 USD.

Don't get me wrong, this is a low end video card but it packs a punch.

Anandtech did a great review of this card
 http://www.anandtech.com/show/7754/the-amd-radeon-r7-265-r7-260-review-feat-sapphire-asus/7
Bioshock infinate a game that came out that year.  The 260X was pumping out 50fps on 1080p ultra settings. Thats decent.


Will blog again when I have chance on next step  up in the price range.

Best video cards August  2015 Part 1