Ok, so,
assuming the information provided by the site you linked to is accurate I could identify the 2 cards they sell:
The EVGA would be the
EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti FTW w/ EVGA ACX Cooling
Part Number: 02G-P4-3757-KR
http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.as ... P4-3755-KR
I identify it by:
- the 1189MHz Base Clock (on the product detail page
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/component ... 5-pdt.html)
- the "FTW" small plate on the picture of the card, on its flank, between the fans, above "GEFORCE"
The Asus would be
Asus GeForce GTX750TI-OC-2GD5
http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/GTX7 ... /overview/
I identify it by its base clock frequency
In any case, make sure what you get is really one of those models.
Now, their tables are incomplete and misleading and you can refer to the manufacturers' sites linked above for details. Let's fix that... (Can they hire me?)
BOTH cards will support all Nivida features, all recent Windows versions (7 / 8) and DirectX 11 (which is still rare in games and many have bugs with it and have to be played in version 10; it's an option in the games)
NONE of those two cards is SLI compatible,
contrary to what PC World says about the Asus (SLI = possibility to associate a second card, if the motherboard allows it))
BOTH (error again) require a 6-pin PCI-E power connector to be powered (your power supply is recent and should have one; cheap adapters are available anyhow and maybe there are some provided with the cards, but packages change so I can't say)
BOTH should consume roughly the same power (
inaccuracy in info): 150ish Watts peak on heavy workload, 70-85ish W on average game use, 50ish on desktop use, and 40ish W idle (or light desktop use).
This is a HUGE improvement over my generation of 570 GPU and over many current GPU's!
Your power supply should be normally OK (any brand name on it?). You can find here what was previously the Antec PSU calculator (and the old Antec link leads there but I assume Antec got bored with manufacturers whining about what the calculator says about their hardware).
This is likely the most complete power supply calculator available:
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine
Play a bit with it.
The EVGA uses a slightly higher base clock frequency than the Asus. This probably translates into a very minor edge in performance. This is a factory setting: the GPU is exactly the SAME model. But the Asus comes anyhow with a tweaking software to modify parameters safely. Usually Asus software to tweak GPU settings is quite fool-proof, safe and easy to use; you see a picture on the Asus overview page. (EVGA should have something too.) Whatever you do with those two cards, I doubt there will be a really significant difference for a human being.
The Asus is a bit less long but a bit wider. Shouldn't make a difference in most cases.
Both manufacturers are serious. EVGA built their reputation with higher standards at a time many makers were not aiming at high quality but times have changed now. Asus video cards are all fine. The quality is most likely similar on both products.
Connections may make a difference:
- The Asus offers:
- HDMI x 1
- VGA x 1
- DVI-D x 2
And the EVGA "only":
- HDMI x 1
- DVI x 1
That depends on what you do and what your monitor(s) allow. Asus got one VGA and one more DVI. The presence of a VGA output is convenient to use with older monitors, but also analogue video inputs/devices. It may or may not be interesting for you.
With which of those cards would I go? Honestly, I'd say go for the one on which you get the best deal unless there is a feature that makes the difference.
Personally I would maybe pick the Asus because I had no issue with their cards for years, and that's a long time since I used EVGA but that's only me.
On a side note:
- Remember that, at the moment, AO doesn't really use the graphic card: it's still DirectX 7, relying on the CPU mostly and not on the GPU, contrary to other games by FC like AoC and TSW which make extensive -and intensive- use of video cards. This will chnage with AO's new engine.
- Sometimes, have a look at SSD's: SSD's make an impressive performance difference over normal hard drives. Crucial (made by Micron, one of the largest memory makers) has just release the interesting MX100 series with nice performance, reliability, and better pricing, so everyone tries to lower their prices ATM.