Help me upgrade my compy!

Gregness · 03-11-2012, 07:02 PM

So, last year I bought myself a pretty kickass computer with the sole exception of the graphics card which was a hand-me-down from my brother's old system.

I'd always intended to get around to replacing the graphics card eventually, but "eventually" has turned into a year and I'd like to not make it two.

The thing is, I'm not actually that good at comparing graphics cards (part of the reason I took the hand-me-down in the first place) so I'd like some suggestions on cards/features to be on the lookout for as I shop.

I've got a Radeon x1300 in right now, so there's probably quite a few options for an upgrade without going over my ~$200 limit. I've got a 550W power supply at the moment, so I'm aware I may have to upgrade that as well for certain newer cards but that has to fit into the $200 limit as well. Thanks for the advice guys!

akaSM · 03-11-2012, 07:26 PM

Have a look at this, this page has some benchmarks with actual numbers from games.

At the top of that price range, I remember the Geforce GTX 560 and the Radeon HD 6870 so, you might want to look at those 2 models.

Also, post your PSU model, you don't want to end up with a GPU that your PSU won't be able to handle :P

Nikose Tyris · 03-11-2012, 08:04 PM

as a fantastic example of the PCI-e 2.0 that we just bought for the gaming desktop:

Radeon HD 5570. Great price point for a nice card.

akaSM · 03-11-2012, 08:24 PM

Oh, I forgot, which resolution will you play at?

Aldurin · 03-11-2012, 09:55 PM

Spread peanut butter inside your power supply. It works for me.

Azisien · 03-12-2012, 09:49 AM

Tom's Hardware February Graphics Card Chart.

They update it every month, though not that much new stuff rolls out enough to really scramble the table. Buying stuff at the top isn't good value, but it is the best. Each column down is less power, but less money.

Japan · 03-13-2012, 01:20 AM

a sinlge nvidia 560ti will do the job. A 550watt power supply will be plenty. That's pretty much the bare minimum if you plan on doing anything other than trolling youtube.

I'd suggest dual EVGA GTX 580 Classifieds though. Because fuck money amirite?

akaSM · 03-13-2012, 01:23 AM

Dual GTX 580s? what, are you trying to save money or what? Get a triple sli configuration and a 4th one for Physx and you're done. Get 590s instead of 580s for a bit more of overkill.

EDIT: forget that, go GTX 590 QUAD SLI

EDIT EDIT: don't forget your 590 for physx!

Japan · 03-13-2012, 01:31 AM

Can you even get 590s yet?

I bet somebody can.

You're going to need to put that shit in your freezer though once you overclock it to

OVER 9000!

Aldurin · 03-13-2012, 01:32 AM

The loading will be so fast in skyrim that your character goes back in time when he fast travels. Do eet.

03-11-2012, 07:02 PM	#1
Gregness Never give up. Never give in. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,034	Help me upgrade my compy! So, last year I bought myself a pretty kickass computer with the sole exception of the graphics card which was a hand-me-down from my brother's old system. I'd always intended to get around to replacing the graphics card eventually, but "eventually" has turned into a year and I'd like to not make it two. The thing is, I'm not actually that good at comparing graphics cards (part of the reason I took the hand-me-down in the first place) so I'd like some suggestions on cards/features to be on the lookout for as I shop. I've got a Radeon x1300 in right now, so there's probably quite a few options for an upgrade without going over my ~$200 limit. I've got a 550W power supply at the moment, so I'm aware I may have to upgrade that as well for certain newer cards but that has to fit into the $200 limit as well. Thanks for the advice guys! __________________ A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - Robert Heinlein Last edited by Gregness; 03-11-2012 at 08:52 PM.

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03-11-2012, 09:55 PM	#5
Aldurin Lakitu Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4,648	Spread peanut butter inside your power supply. It works for me.

03-12-2012, 09:49 AM	#6
Azisien wat Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,177	Tom's Hardware February Graphics Card Chart. They update it every month, though not that much new stuff rolls out enough to really scramble the table. Buying stuff at the top isn't good value, but it is the best. Each column down is less power, but less money.

03-13-2012, 01:20 AM	#7
Japan Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Myself Posts: 212	a sinlge nvidia 560ti will do the job. A 550watt power supply will be plenty. That's pretty much the bare minimum if you plan on doing anything other than trolling youtube. I'd suggest dual EVGA GTX 580 Classifieds though. Because fuck money amirite?

03-13-2012, 01:31 AM	#9
Japan Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Myself Posts: 212	Can you even get 590s yet? I bet somebody can. You're going to need to put that shit in your freezer though once you overclock it to OVER 9000!

03-13-2012, 01:32 AM	#10
Aldurin Lakitu Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4,648	The loading will be so fast in skyrim that your character goes back in time when he fast travels. Do eet.