Are there any REAL upgrade options for me?

[RyanGreener]

Ok so right now, I've got a PNY 9600GT 1 GB. It's great and all, especially cause I got it for dirt cheap, but I figure I'm upgrading a lot of my desktop parts I might as well upgrade this GPU too. Looking for a GPU that is similar in size (because any bigger won't fit in my case) and is an actual upgrade, and not a "side-grade". Should I just stick with this or are there any ATi/nVidia cards that'll fit this requirement? I'm also not looking to spend over 150 dollars.

EDIT:
Well, this is the planned build:
Phenom II 555 BE (planning to overclock to at least 3.5 GHZ. I have a very good air cooler coming)
4 GB DDR3 RAM
nVidia 9600 GT 1 GB PNY (I plan to upgrade this)
500GB 7200 RPM Hitachi Hard Drive
hec 585W PSU (seems to be running fine...and reviews aren't bad for this)

Plans: Playing SC2.

 

[ZipSpeed]

System specs?

 

[Rifter]

what he said. but a 5770 would probably work out well for you.

 

[RyanGreener]

System specs?

Build is updated in first post.

 

[RussianSensation]

If you are mainly going to be playing SC2, I strongly suggest an NV based card since it runs faster in SC2: http://www.techspot.com/review/305-starcraft2-performance/page7.html

But it looks like size is an issue for you. If you can stretch the budget, GTX460 is awesome. If you are only interested in new cards, i would say 5770 is the best < $150 since it's smaller than 4870/4890/gtx260/275/285/5830.

As far as CPU goes, I would consider a Core i5 750 or a Core i3 over the Phenom (Unless you plan on unlocking it). Core architecture is faster in SC2 over PhII:
http://www.techspot.com/review/305-starcraft2-performance/page13.html

The performance improvement is massive over Phenoms in SC2.

As far as the hard drive is concerned, grab a Samsung F3 500GB over a Hitachi. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-181-_-Product

Much quieter and not any slower.

 

[RyanGreener]

How about concerns about physical size? Are there ones that are faster than my card, but similar in size?

EDIT: Just read the 5770 is good.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The 5770 should be the same size or maybe smaller. You would really have to measure your card and tell us how long it is, as I believe there are variations with the 9600GT.

If you are mainly going to be playing SC2, I strongly suggest an NV based card since it runs faster in SC2: http://www.techspot.com/review/305-s...nce/page7.html

There is no sub-$150 Nvidia card faster than the HD5770. The only competing product would be the GTX 260, but they are more expensive, and the performance difference isn't really that big. This shows the 5770 putting up basically the same numbers as the GTX 275, without AA: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/starcraft2-wings-of-liberty_5.html#sect1

As far as CPU goes, I would consider a Core i5 750 or a Core i3 over the Phenom (Unless you plan on unlocking it). Core architecture is faster in SC2 over PhII:
http://www.techspot.com/review/305-s...ce/page13.htm

Those show the stock i3 540 and Phenom X2 performing identical. No question the i3 is much better if you overclock it, though.

 

[FalseChristian]

I'm a rabid nVidia lover but I'd also recommend the Radeon HD 5770. Great card for a great price. Just dont get the 5750, know what I'ze be sayin'?

 

[happy medium]

5770

OR
This guys is selling brand new EVGA 768mb gtx 460's for $165 shipped and is very trustworthy.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2093773

 

[Davidh373]

Is the original card low profile (Takes up one expansion slot)? That is a very important piece of info. If your PCI slots are taken then you'd need another low profile card.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Is the original card low profile (Takes up one expansion slot)? That is a very important piece of info. If your PCI slots are taken then you'd need another low profile card.

Inigo Montoya says: that word does not mean what you think it does.

Low profile: half-height card bracket for slim cases and HTPCs.

Single slot: only as wide as one card slot, not needing the width of two card slots. (Some cards that use a single bracket may still include a big heatsink that needs the space from an adjacent slot.)

 

[AtenRa]

If I were you, I would wait to see the GF106 that&#8217;s coming at 13th of September in order to have another option at $100-150

 

[Davidh373]

Inigo Montoya says: that word does not mean what you think it does.

Low profile: half-height card bracket for slim cases and HTPCs.

Single slot: only as wide as one card slot, not needing the width of two card slots. (Some cards that use a single bracket may still include a big heatsink that needs the space from an adjacent slot.)

Sorry for the mistake, but my point is still valid. Does he have more than 1 slot?