Terminal Thoughts

Starting at the bottom of the nutrient concatenation nosotros have the sub-$150 boxing that takes identify primarily between the GeForce GTX 650 Ti and Radeon Hard disk drive 7770. The GeForce GTX 650 Ti is the more expensive of the two retailing for effectually $150, while the Radeon HD 7770 costs nigh $130.

At 1680x1050, which is a typical resolution for gaming on these graphics cards, the GTX 650 Ti was 26% faster than the Radeon Hd 7770 and 66% faster than the $100 7750. In this scenario we see the $20 extra y'all pay for the GTX 650 Ti are justified as the card is a good deal faster.

Moving up in price nosotros have the GeForce GTX 660 which sells for $220. At that price it competes with the Radeon Hard disk 7870 ($240) or 7850 ($180). The GTX 660 is 8% cheaper than the 7870 and 22% more expensive than the 7850. On the performance side, at 1920x1200 the Radeon Hard disk 7850 was on average 12% slower than the GTX 660, while the GeForce trailed the 7870 by a 5% margin.

The Radeon Hard disk 7850 is the best value graphics carte du jour for those looking at spending $200 of less, nevertheless information technology's also quite a bit slower than the Radeon HD 7870 or GeForce GTX 660.

Jumping to the $300 range, we observe the GeForce GTX 660 Ti ($280) which can be compared to either the Radeon Hd 7870 at $240 or the Radeon Hd 7950 at $300. In this iii-mode shootout, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti was nine% faster than the Radeon HD 7870 at 1920x1200 and just two% slower than the 7950. This makes the Radeon HD 7870 a better value option, while the GeForce GTX 660 Ti is the all-time buy if you can practice without the $280.

Toll Top Pick
$100 - $150 GeForce GTX 650 Ti
$150 - $200 Radeon Hard disk 7850
$200 - $250 GeForce GTX 660
$250 - $300 GeForce GTX 660 Ti
$300 - $400 Radeon Hard disk 7950 Boost
$400 and up Radeon HD 7970

Moving frontwards, it's important to point out that while there is a significant departure between the Radeon Hd 7970 and 7970 GHz Edition, this does non appear to be the case with the Radeon Hard disk 7950 and 7950 Heave graphics cards as both retail for $300.

This plays out to AMD'due south advantage. At 1920x1200 the GeForce GTX 670 is 12% faster than the Radeon Hd 7950 and merely 2% faster than the 7950 Boost. Even so the GTX 670 is 27% more expensive than both cards, then whichever way you piece information technology the Radeon Hard disk drive 7950 Heave is the amend proposition and things just go worse for the GTX 670 equally the resolution is increased.

Now for the large guns, the GeForce GTX 680 vs. Radeon HD 7970 battle. The GeForce GTX 680 will currently set you back $470, a eighteen% premium over the $400 Radeon HD 7970.

Breaking downwards performance figures at 1920x1200, the GeForce GTX 680 was simply ~i% faster than the Radeon HD 7970, while it trailed the 7970 GHz Edition by a 7% margin. This doesn't alter at 2560x1600, where the GeForce GTX 680 is 2% slower than the Radeon Hard disk 7970 and 11% slower than the 7970 GHz Edition, making the 7970 the obvious choice.

For quick reference of our best of the best GPU picks see the table on the right, broken downwardly at each price increment with shortcut shopping links.

In a nutshell, the GeForce GTX 650 Ti is the best $100 - $150 solution, while the Radeon Hard disk drive 7850 is the best $150-$200 option. Then the GeForce GTX 660 is the best $200 - $250 graphics carte, making the GTX 660 Ti the best $250 - $300 option. From $300 - $400 we pick the Radeon Hard disk drive 7950 Heave and when spending $400 or more the Radeon Hard disk 7970 is our selection.