Best Bang per Buck Graphics Cards, for August 2010

Here are the best bang per buck gaming graphics cards for August 2010:

Price / Graphics Card:

• (~$55) Radeon HD 4650
• (~$75) GeForce GT 240 GDDR5
• (~$105) Radeon HD 4850 1 GB
• (~$105) GeForce GTS 250 1 GB
• (~$135) Radeon HD 5750 1 GB
• (~$155) Radeon HD 5770 1 GB
• (~$200) GeForce GTX 460 768 MB
• (~$200) Radeon HD 5830
• (~$230) GeForce GTX 460 1 GB
• (~$270) 2 x Radeon HD 5750 1 GB in CrossFire Configuration
• (~$300) GeForce GTX 470
• (~$460) 2 x GeForce GTX 460 1 GB in SLI Configuration
• (~$600) 2 x GeForce GTX 470 in SLI Configuration

The Radeon HD 4650 is the best value graphics card. Those wanting an Nvidia card will have to spend a bit more for the GeForce GT 240 GDDR5.

If you intend to run dual graphics cards, but would want to purchase the pair one by one, the Radeon HD 5750 is a good choice. Again, the Nvidia fans will have to spend more with a pair of the GeForce GTX 460 1 GB.

[info derived from Tom's Hardware article]

Best Bang per Buck Gaming Processors, July 2010

Thinking of building a new gaming rig this Q3 2010? Tom’s Hardware recommends these gaming CPUs from AMD and Intel as best picks:

 

CPUs:

• Athlon II X3 435 (US$70)
• Athlon II X3 445 ($85)
• Core i3-530 ($115)
• Phenom II X4 945 ($140)
• Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition ($160)
• Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition ($180)
• Core i5-750 ($200)
• Core i7-930 ($295)
• Core i7-980X Extreme ($999)

 

The current best value gaming processor is the AMD Athlon II X3 435, with the Athlon II X3 445 breathing down its neck. If the actual street price difference between the two is not that much, it’s probably best to get the latter instead.

 

Not an AMD fan? The Intel Core i3-530 would be the value gaming processor for you. Yes, the Core i5 models may be tempting, but it would cost you almost double for the i3.

 

For better performance picks, you could take a look at the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition or the Intel Core i5-750.

 

Read more at Tom’s Hardware >>

Best Bang Per Buck Graphics Cards for October 2008

Tom's Hardware recently released their October 2008 choice picks for gaming video cards.

Recommended PCI-E cards:

• Radeon HD 3650 GDDR3 (US$35)
• Radeon HD 4670 GDDR3 ($85)
• GeForce 9600 GSO (aka GeForce 8800 GS) ($85)
• Radeon HD 3870 ($100)
• GeForce 9600 GT ($100)
• GeForce 8800 GT 512MB (aka GeForce 9800 GT 512MB) ($120)
• Radeon HD 4850 ($170)
• Radeon HD 4870 ($260)
• GeForce GTX 260 ($260)
• GeForce 9800 GX2 ($260)
• 2x Radeon HD 4850 in CrossFire Configuration ($340)
• Radeon HD 4870 X2 ($550)

If you are building a new system, and will just use it for some very light gaming on the side, the Radeon HD 3650 GDDR3 would probably be a good-enough discreet graphics solution. Other than that, the 8800 GT 512MB, 9800 GT 512MB, and HD 4850 seem to be the "middle-ground" choice cards.

Recommended AGP cards:

• Radeon HD 3650 (under $US100)
• Radeon HD 2600 XT ($100)
• Radeon HD 3850 512MB ($135)

[Source: Tom's Hardware | The Best Graphics Cards for the Money: October 2008]

It's interesting to note that an AGP HD 3650 card would cost almost 3 times a PCI-E card with the same GPU. Unless you need to replace a broken AGP card, maybe that $100 is best kept for your next system build.

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