[wolfesbu]

Not sure if I should upgrade the GPU or just start from scratch.  Have had this pc a while, replaced MoBo after first one melted and upgraded the RAM and CPU.  I play variety of games and just want better performance.  Here is what I have in it.

 

OS- Win 7

MoBo- BIOSTAR N68S3+            Specs- http://www.biostar.c...on.php?S_ID=506

CPU- AMD Phenom II X4 945      

GPU- 1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 5750

RAM- 8 GB G.Skill @ 1066 mhz

 

Would like to spend around $200 on GPU or if rebuilding $600 MAX.  Thank you so much for any advice!!

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Also power supply is 500w.

[wolfesbu]

Also power supply is 500w.

[iammykyl]

Gday adn 

Please supply the brand/model of the GPU, an how old is it?

[wolfesbu]

My current GPU is a Sapphire 1gb ddr5 AMD HD 5750 and is about 4-5 years old.

[iammykyl]

Sorry wolfesbu, typo in my question, meant to be PSU, so I could see what the Amps are on the 12v rail. 

The link is only for a rough comparison, > http://www.benchmark...-radeon-hd-5750

[wolfesbu]

Here is the link to PSU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371035

 

I think for the time being I want to just upgrade to best GPU I can, even if bottlenecked.  Then down the line upgrade the whole pc and sell the old one with old GPU for whatever I can get.  So I would be willing to spend some $ for great GPU.

[phillpower2]

If I may chime in with an observation folks 

 

The MB is the smaller form factor micro ATX which are often used in SFF (small form factor) cases, this can be a problem with the newer and larger add on GPUs, can you tell us what type of case you have as in SFF - mid or full tower etc.

 

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[iammykyl]

Thanks Phillpower2 , my reply just finished as you posted so added to the end.  

 

That is the way I would go.

Your PSU has 444w available on the 12v rails.   It has 1 x 6 pin and 1 x 6+2 pin PCI-e connectors, so will support a GTX 970, the highest I would go.

For comparison, > http://www.benchmark...geforce-gtx-970

Some cards to look at.   Make sure the card you purchase will fit in your existing case.> http://www.newegg.co...8^14-487-088-TS

 

Your existing card, Length: 12.6" Height: 6.3" Width: 3.9

[phillpower2]

You are most welcome iammykyl 

[wolfesbu]

My older case was much smaller, but my current has plenty of room.  I have looked at this R9 280

http://www.amazon.co...=I18C6IS8LPTNJE

 

Going to just upgrade GPU now and later this year buy a whole new rig and sell off the old one.  Thank you guys for all of your help, have been doing a lot of research and feel as though I have a much better understanding!!

[iammykyl]

I think you would be disappointed with the R9 280, you would need to look at the R9 290 to come close to a GTX 970,

> http://www.bit-tech....tx-970-review/7

You would need to look at the R285 to match the GTX 960. > http://techreport.co...ard-reviewed/12

 

Which every card you decide on, there can be issues when upgrading, as the uninstaller may leave traces of the software/driver files behind.   this is how how proceed.

Download the latest gpu package from the cards manufactures website and save to the Desktop.

Download DDU to the desktop, please read the page, > http://www.guru3d.co...r-download.html

Restart the computer in Safe Mode.> Open  DDU, > select the Clean and Shutdown box, then run DDU. > after shutdown switch off the PSU, > replace the existing video card, > Restart the computer.

If the Found New Hardware Wizard start, shut it down, > install the new video package. 

[wolfesbu]

Awesome, the GTX 970 looks like a beast!! And with a low power requirement, I will look for a deal on that and snag it. Thank you guys for all the help I greatly appreciate it!!!

[iammykyl]

You are welcome wolfesbu  

Please let us know your results as this helps others who will read your topic.

[iammykyl]

Not heard from you in a while.   Hove you completed your upgrade?   An update would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[wolfesbu]

I ended up going with the GTX 970.  Kept going back and forth on it and the 960.  But figured the 4gb (or 3.5 gb everyone seems to be complaining about) with the 970 and better performance will keep me gaming at 1080p for much longer than the 960.  I plan to put this in my current build and am hoping to get a new case soon, something with a window.  Then down the line upgrade MoBo and CPU, followed by RAM, SSD, etc. Here is the card I ordered,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127832&cm_re=msi_gtx_970-_-14-127-832-_-Product 

Got it discounted slightly for $329.99.  Now have put together a list of cases that I am debating on.  Thank you all for your help and once the card arrives and I am able to install I will update.