1st video card upgrade, need help

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brallen1

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Dec 6, 2012
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Intel extreme quad core 3.0 ghz overclocked to 3.33ghz
(2) nvidia 8800 ultra in SLI
Hp Lp3065 2560-1600 native res
1.1 kw power
4 gig mem
asus striker extreme 680i motherboard

This is a Hp blackbird. One of the video cards died, and i want to replace both cards with the best that this OLD rig can handle! I run charts all day for trading ( other monitor is Hp zr30w ). Love to game at highest res possible per game. If there is any other info you need, i will get it to you.Thank you for you suggestions
 
Ketchup

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
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What's you budget?

The card in my rig would be quite an improvement in SLI, and run a good bit cooler to boot. They're running about $230 a piece right now.
 
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brallen1

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Dec 6, 2012
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I didn't want to buy more card than the rest of the rig could use, and I don't know where that threshold is.....
 
Ketchup

Ketchup

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Well, you said you have a 1000 watt PSU, and it ran two 8800s. That is pretty stout, power wise. A better way to ask you question is to tell us what you are thinking about getting, and we can help you gauge if your rig can handle it.
 
bigsnyder

bigsnyder

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Nov 4, 2004
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Which quad core do you have? My q9550 easily hits 3.7Ghz. As far as video card upgrades, I have never bought into the whole idea of getting a card to match the CPU. I think it is always best to get as much card as you are willing spend. Sure a bottleneck is possible (don't think you will have much of one anyway), but I rather have a bottleneck than a card that is not good enough when a motherboard and CPU upgrade comes around.

Just noticed what your native resolution is, definitely get as much card as you are willing to spend. CPU is less of a factor (IMO) at that high of a resolution.
 
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brallen1

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Dec 6, 2012
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Its the Intel Core2. In terms of which video cards I was looking at, I am just starting to look. The gtx 660 is a great card from what i've read, as you can tell, I'm new, and did know if or where there would be a compatbility issue with the newest cards and my old machine.
 
Termie

Termie

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Aug 17, 2005
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8800 ultra SLI is about equivalent to an HD6870/GTX560. While they aren't a huge upgrade for you, with your CPU, I'd be looking at the HD7870 or GTX660. They are about the same price, but AMD is no longer running a free game promotion with the 7870. Therefore, if you're interested in Assassin's Creed 3, get the 660. Here's a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125443

I think the 660Ti is a bit more than you need with that CPU - you'll be bottlenecked in quite a few situations. If you're settled on spending that much (~$70 more than a 660), here's a review to help you pick the best one: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-660-ti-memory-bandwidth-anti-aliasing,3283.html
 
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Ketchup

Ketchup

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Sep 1, 2002
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raghu78 said:
OP a HD 7950 boost is a good upgrade. matches GTX 670. overclocked HD 7950(1.1 Ghz) can easily match HD 7970 Ghz.
Click to expand...

Except that we know the board supports SLI, so Crossfire is not an option on this one.
 
Deders

Deders

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Oct 14, 2012
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I always thought that any board with 2 16x PCIe slots would support crossfire, it was only SLI that needed a license and special code.
 
Termie

Termie

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Deders said:
I always thought that any board with 2 16x PCIe slots would support crossfire, it was only SLI that needed a license and special code.
Click to expand...

His nvidia chipset appears to support SLI only.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131074

Anyway, it's kind of irrelevant. The 7950 is way too much card for his system, it's much more expensive than a 660, and 7950 crossfire would be laughably bottlenecked on his system.
 
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brallen1

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Dec 6, 2012
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Thanks for your help. There is a overwhelming amount of info to sort through. You guys at AnandTech really know this stuff. I guess if I wanted a faster CPU I would need a new mother board? Sounds like its time for me to start thinking New computer...Never built one. How do you make sure everything is compatible?
 
Ketchup

Ketchup

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Sep 1, 2002
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brallen1 said:
Thanks for your help. There is a overwhelming amount of info to sort through. You guys at AnandTech really know this stuff. I guess if I wanted a faster CPU I would need a new mother board? Sounds like its time for me to start thinking New computer...Never built one. How do you make sure everything is compatible?
Click to expand...

Start a thread in General Hardware, using this thread as a template:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

They will get you all fixed up.
 
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brallen1

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Dec 6, 2012
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Can I put something together that is as good as Originpc, DigitalStorm or Maingear on a per dollar basis?
 
Ketchup

Ketchup

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I think I can safely say yes. You Generally pay for the name, nothing more. You will lose having 1 warranty to cover anything. Instead, you will have a warranty for each item, but many last longer than one year.

Also, keep software in mind. Some of the software, like Windows, will need to be bought for the new system, as it is only licensed for the system you have now. If I have time later, I can put something together for you.
 
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