Looking to update GPU, need LOTS of help

[andrei95]

I've been looking to update my GPU for a while since I've been starting to feel the constraints of my current one when playing newer games. Bellow are my PC's specs, let me know if I forgot anything. I've never done something like this before, I custom-ordered this PC about two and a half years ago and I haven't done anything to it since then, so I need a lot of help.

Motherboard: Gigabyte X58A-UD3R
Processor: Intel Core i7 950 @ 3.07~3.1GHz
Memory: 12288MB RAM
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 6870
PSU: Ultra LSP 650W
Display: HP w2338h 1080p
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD+2TB HDD (I'm considering getting a small SSD (~180GB) to store Windows and whatever games I'm playing at the time on)

I'm looking to switch my current GPU with this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202001

I'd like to know whether this is a good idea, what kind of performance I can expect from this upgrade, and whether other upgrades would be more beneficial. I've noticed that when playing newer games like Sleeping Dogs, I only get 60 FPS on medium, which noticeably drops to ~50 FPS on high. I can't even run older games like GTA IV on max settings because performance drops. Also, is this a good GPU to purchase right now from a cost-benefit perspective? I'm on a student budget but I love playing newer games on high settings and I hate lag, so I'm willing to save up for a $400 GPU.

 

[Bubbaleone]

You might want to post a request, in the Moderator Discussions forum, that your thread be moved to the Video Cards and Graphics forum.

 

[pandemonium]

Do you have any clearance issues in your current setup? (Measure length available along PCI-e slot being used.)

I would recommend an MSI Radeon HD 7970 3GB Twin Frozr OC Boost Edition $329.99 total (after rebate) over the Sapphire personally.

Keep in mind you'll be pushing your CPU to being the bottleneck here, and you'll probably need to update the majority of the rest of your platform (MoBo, CPU, RAM) within 2 years (aside from the GPU after this purchase).

Also, an SSD is almost a requirement for a gaming rig at this point. You can get along without it just fine, but load times will be much greater without and FPS chop due to HDD activity will be much more apparent (which can completely nullify the rest of your hardware depending on how susceptible you are to it).

 

[stahlhart]

Bump to the top.

 

[raghu78]

OP right now the best value for money card is HD 7950. for USD 220 its a crazy bargain.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202026

clock for clock HD 7950 is 5-7% slower than HD 7970. average overclocks
are 1100 - 1150 mhz. ideal for 1080p gaming. massive perf upgrade from HD 6870. easily more than 2x perf of HD 6870.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/07/02/msi_n760_tf_2gd5oc_gtx_760_overclocking_review/5

 

[tweakboy]

For the cpu you have, grab a 460 Ti 1GB for 100 or less. or a 660 Ti ,, the fastest Ti card in the world. gl

 

[andrei95]

Thank you for all the help! Currently, I have just enough clearance width-wise with my 6870, but plenty of space length-wise. From what I've seen online, the 7900 line is less wide than the 6870 was. The 7950 does seem like a much better deal than the 7970, so I probably will go with that. I'll spend the difference on an SSD. Is there any other information that I need?

 

[andrei95]

As for an SSD, I'm looking to get either this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820239045

or this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227791

Which one should I go for?

 

[Stuka87]

If you are stuck at the $100 dollar mark, I would go with the Vertex 4.

If you can spend a bit more, go for an Intel 335. Although there is no ~128GB Intel. Think its 80 and 180.

You will be happy with the 7950, and it will OC to be a bit faster than a stock 7970. Just be sure you can fit a card that is that long in your case, and you have space for a 2 slot card. Although your 6870 should be 2 slot as well.

 

[andrei95]

Is the Intel 335 worth the extra $50? I have almost three inches of extra space for a longer card right now. How do I check if I have space for a 2 slot card?

 

[Bateluer]

Is the Intel 335 worth the extra $50? I have almost three inches of extra space for a longer card right now. How do I check if I have space for a 2 slot card?

I've two Intel 335s, and I've been very satisfied with them. But I've no comparison to reference though, these are my only SSDs.


Regarding your video card choices, you're getting good feedback and good cards. I've a 7950 3GB myself, and it handles everything at 1440p like a champ. But, AMD will be refreshing their line up in 4 months. Something to be aware of.