OT: best bang for buck for GPU under $150

Randy Brown wrote on 4/23/2013, 4:04 PM

I built my first PC about a year ago (specs below) and now thinking I should have spent money on a GPU...it seems the Nvidia gtx 5xx series are very reasonable now and wondering what you guys think.

Windows 7, 64 bit, X2 (64 bit)
Intel Core i7-3770S
Asus P8Z77-V LK mobo
2X8GB Corsair XMS3 memory
180GB Corsair Force series 3 SSD
EDIT- any opinions on this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187203

or this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121630&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Desktop+Graphics+Cards-_-N82E16814121630&gclid=CO-NtYvQ97UCFaI-MgodQzoAHQ

Comments

OldSmoke wrote on 4/23/2013, 6:52 PM

I have two GTX570 in SLI in my system and from personal experience, you should look at least at GTX560Ti versions as those have more CUDA cores and higher bandwidth; eBay is a good source too. GXT 550s are not powerful enough to see good GPU rendering times and playback improvement.

MSmart wrote on 4/23/2013, 8:40 PM

Are you still using the two MiniDV cams in your profile? Per this thread, I'm not planning to get one for my new build using MiniDV cams. (HV40 and HV30)

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=855372

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting one just making sure that you get the rendering improvement to justifying getting one.

TeetimeNC wrote on 4/24/2013, 6:17 AM

>GXT 550s are not powerful enough to see good GPU rendering times and playback improvement.

+1. I put a GTX 550ti in my homebuilt video PC (i7-940) and I saw no improvement in Vegas with GPU.

/jerry

Randy Brown wrote on 4/24/2013, 7:44 AM

Thanks very much guys, it's not render time I'm concerned with, it's preview improvement....less dropped frames.
I also get remnants of windows hanging around after closing them...ie opening windows explorer to drag some files onto the timeline and close and then part of the window remains (doesn't re-draw unless I minimize and then restore VP12)
I'm thinking that just about anything other than integrated graphics would be better no?
Thanks again my friends,
Randy

OldSmoke wrote on 4/24/2013, 9:30 AM

@Randy
I got redraw issues even with the GPU and it took me a long time to figure that out. It may not be related to you but on my system it was the latest Logitech Setpoint driver for my wireless keyboard and mouse that caused this redraw issues. I uninstalled it and just use the legacy drivers that come with Win7 and all is working fine now.
The HD4000 in you CPU is quite an ok GPU but if you want something better, GTX560Ti and up is recommended. In fact I was thinking of replacing my two GTX570 with a 670 but reading the forum, the GTX6xx series is no where near as good as the 5xx. Although they 6xx is a more powerful card on spec, it isn't well supported by Vegas and also the drivers are written for gaming rather then NLEs. Also keep in mind that with a good GPU, even 560Ti you need a good power supply, I recommend 750W and above. With the 560Ti I had no issue previewing HDV clips, simple text, transitions and FX (all must be GPU accelerated type) at Good/Full 60i without a dropped frame. Scrolling text and complex compositing is still not possible and you have to drop the resolution to Preview half or even lower. So think about the work you are doing and then make a decision.

wwaag wrote on 4/24/2013, 11:17 AM

You might also consider a 6 series Nvidia card--not for its GPU capabiities, but the fact that it supports up to 4 simultaneous monitors. I use the lowly 650 (around $130), but it drives my 2 desktop monitors plus a 42" monitor as a secondary preview device. Works very nicely.

wwaag

OldSmoke wrote on 4/24/2013, 4:47 PM

Actually the OP can connect one monitor to the HD4000 and two to a GTX560Ti. I had a i7-3770K before but cant remember if it could do 2 (1xDVI & 1xHDMI) or only 1 monitor on the HD4000. I did however have 3 monitors together with the GTX560Ti and the HD4000 which work very well too.

flyingski wrote on 4/24/2013, 10:18 PM

I've had good service from my 560Ti and the 296 driver.

jkerry wrote on 6/12/2013, 5:07 PM

I noticed that you have 2 graphic cards in your system. I putting a new systme together and was advised to try and have 2 cards installed.
I was looking at the GTX 580.
What is the reasoning behind having 2 cards instead of 1 card for editing in Vegas.

Thanks,
Jeff