[ASK]Best GPU for Intel i5-2500K?

[poofyhairguy]

I'm in a similar boat with the OP

Processor: i5 2500k
Video Card: 6950 2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161372
RAM: 16GB DDR3 of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139025

Will my best bet be a 970?

Do you overclock?

That PSU could easily do a 290x.

 

[hawtdawg]

Nothing above R290/X or 970. You would be CPU bound.

This is an absurd statement

 

[crisium]

I'm in a similar boat with the OP

Processor: i5 2500k
Video Card: 6950 2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161372
RAM: 16GB DDR3 of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139025

Will my best bet be a 970?

Your PSU can handle any single GPU. Radeon 290, 290X, 390, or GTX 970 whatever floats your boat. AKA more or less whichever is cheapest.

 

[RussianSensation]

I'm in a similar boat with the OP

Processor: i5 2500k
Video Card: 6950 2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161372
RAM: 16GB DDR3 of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139025

Will my best bet be a 970?

Try to get a CPU cooler and overclock that processor. At today's prices, 390 is the best mid-tier card when talking about BNIB. If you aren't going to overclock the processor, go with a 970. * Of course if you play some games that run better on AMD (Star Wars Battlefront) or NV (Project CARs, WOW), then that can also sway which way you go.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

My PSU is InBox 450W. So, i have to change my PSU too if i change my GPU, right? And about airflow, my PC doesn't have a good airflow. It only has an exhaust fan, which is not really big. And sometimes i open my PC Side Case because the side case is broken, so it can't be closed. My PC Case is Logitech Futura 500, is it good enough? I dont have that Front Fan slot (Intake fans) or what ever the name is. I only have a side fan slot, 2 fans slot exactly.
Looks like i'm going to go with the GTX 970, so i can save extra money to buy some RAM and Fans.

A blower style 970 is definitely the way to go then. I'd personally go with this one:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-04gp41972kr

The reference 970 with the really cool looking blower is sold by Best Buy, and only Best Buy, for $380 plus you'll pay tax, so it's not really worth it to pay probably $410 for a slower GPU than the $330 one I posted above from EVGA.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

But get a quality power supply too. XFX has awesome units for good prices, and the Antec High Current Gamer power supplies are very good for the price too.

 

[Paladin]

Using 2500K still. I upgraded my 560ti to the that EVGA 970 2 months ago and it was a huge improvement, everything runs max settings. I recommend that.

 

[bononos]

My PSU is InBox 450W. So, i have to change my PSU too if i change my GPU, right? And about airflow, my PC doesn't have a good airflow. It only has an exhaust fan, which is not really big. And sometimes i open my PC Side Case because the side case is broken, so it can't be closed. .......

Inbox is a no name brand. I would get a better psu along with your new video card.

 

[Vandam500]

Do you overclock?

That PSU could easily do a 290x.

Currently overclocked to 4.5ghz, yes.

 

[Vandam500]

Your PSU can handle any single GPU. Radeon 290, 290X, 390, or GTX 970 whatever floats your boat. AKA more or less whichever is cheapest.

Awesome, that's good to know. Thanks!

 

[Vandam500]

Try to get a CPU cooler and overclock that processor. At today's prices, 390 is the best mid-tier card when talking about BNIB. If you aren't going to overclock the processor, go with a 970. * Of course if you play some games that run better on AMD (Star Wars Battlefront) or NV (Project CARs, WOW), then that can also sway which way you go.

Thanks for the tip on the 390, can't believe that thing is under $400 and is a 8GB card!!! I am currently overclocked to 4.5ghz with a 212 cooler.

 

[tweakboy]

670 or 560 GTX. gl

 

[RussianSensation]

Thanks for the tip on the 390, can't believe that thing is under $400 and is a 8GB card!!! I am currently overclocked to 4.5ghz with a 212 cooler.

Nice OC on that budget cooler. If you aren't going to replace the PSU, I would choose the 970. Check out this Hexus review of Sapphire Nitro R9 390 and it has a Gainward Phoenix 970 for comparison. There is also this MSI Gaming 390 vs. EVGA SSC 970. And another similar review.

Overall, both are great cards right now. Assuming a PSU upgrade, I'd go with a 390 though, otherwise 970.

Also, if this option is available for you and you don't mind going a bit higher, EVGA B-stock has 980s for $370-380 from time-to-time.

 

[tweakboy]

Your going to bottleneck that 970 with that i5 CPU no matter what you OC it too. Its going to bring down the 970, Grab a 560 GTX. gl