Need upgrade advice after one video card died

[Nauticle]

So recently one of my GTX 570s started causing me issues and has me believing it is dead or soon to be dead. Now my upgrade plan before this issue occurred was to wait for the next generation of video cards and broadwell or skylake to be released but now Im not so sure on what to do. My current specs are as follows.

Intel Core i7-870 2.93Ghz
NH-D14 heatsink
Asus Maximus III Formula Motherboard
12GB G.Skill Ripjaws (2x2 DDR3-1333 and 2x4 DDR3-1600 oops)
1 EVGA GTX 570 and 1 problematic MSI GTX 570 (out of warranty)
1- 128GB Samsung Pro SSD
1- 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 HDD
1- 2TB Western Digital Green HDD
2- 3TB Seagate HDD
1- Silverstone Strider 1000w PSU
Corsair 600T Graphite case
1- LG 24" Flatron LCD
Razer Blackwidow Keyboard
Logitech MX518 mouse
ATH-M50 headphones

Now I mainly use my system for web browsing, watching videos, light AutoCAD work and gaming. I like to play the latest games at the highest settings possible while still maintaining ~60fps for the most part. I don't anticipate moving away from 1080p resolutions or 60hz refresh rates for quite some time though I do plan on adding a second maybe a third monitor.

This is where I am stuck. I have some ideas as to what parts should be upgraded and what I should upgrade them with but Im not sure on the specifics and when I should replace them. My biggest concern is my video card and where I should go from here. The options Ive thought of are

1) Replace broken GTX 570 with a manufacturer refurbished GTX 570 for approx ~150 + s&h + import fees

2) Upgrade to a current gen Nvidia (770, 780, 780 Ti) or AMD (R9 280x, 290, 290x) video card

3) Deal with it until the next generation cards come out.

My current line of thinking is that I should buy the 2nd GTX 570 and continue to run SLI and sell them both once the next generation cards release. I know that the 1.2GB vram will be limiting but I would still be able to play the latest games on reasonable high settings and maintain 60fps. It does mean that I will have to deal with SLI and 2 jet engines for a while longer.

For my CPU and Motherboard upgrade combo I am thinking either Devils Canyon, Haswell-E or Broadwell/Skylake. Honestly the biggest issue I have here is Im not sure if I need an i5 or an i7 and if Broadwell/Skylake will benefit me more than DC will. As for the motherboard Ill probably pick up some Asus/Gigabyte/MSI board with Crossifre/SLI support that is moderately priced.

Other upgrades that I plan to do that do not factor into my budget are.

Replacing the 4GB DDR3-1333 RAM with 8GB DDR3-1600 for a total of 16GB.
Replacing my mouse with another Logitech one.
Replacing my keyboard with another mechanical one.
Replacing my M50s with ATH-AD900x.
Replacing my 600T with something a bit lighter or more spacious.

I live in Canada and will be using Newegg.ca, NCIX.com or Memoryexpress.com. I prefer MemoryExpress but have no problems with using the others. Budget wise I would say ~500 for the video card and ~500 for cpu/mobo. Those aren't set in stone by any means and but hopefully it gives you guys starting range.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys may have.

Edit: One thing I forgot to mention is that I am a bit preferential to Nvidia video cards but am slowly warming up to the idea of an AMD video card.

 

[Torn Mind]

Well, the GTX 770/680 are roughly equal to a GTX 590. The GTX 590 is basically two GTX 580s in SLI. The 580 SLI is more powerful than your 570 SLI.

With the GTX 770 being around $300-$400 and assuming you can pawn both of your cards, you'll probably come out similar in terms of money lost, performance, but there is less noise and power consumption, the latter of which makes a hidden impact on the pocketbook if you're paying the bills. Just some perspective there.

Option 3 nets you the biggest jump in future performance/dollar and performance/watt from your current state, but you will suffer a bit in terms of having "fun" in the meantime.

 

[theattrox]

My GTX 570 just broke the other day as well, my friend also had this happen to him recently.. Anyhow, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you I just ordered a Sapphire R9 270x in the meantime since I plan on building another PC later this year when everything is updated.

 

[RaistlinZ]

570 SLI must have crazy power draw. If you are partial to Nvidia the 770 4GB is about $310.00 on Amazon. That would give you good performance for the time being and much less heat and noise.

 

[riversend]

I would hold off on the CPU/Mobo, and as mentioned above go to a single card. GTX 770 is nice, but R9 280X is roughly the same and looks like it is generally cheaper on Newegg.ca or Memoryexpress.

Did you try the MSI card as a single card to check operation? Agree with selling any good cars to recoup some cost.

 

[Nauticle]

I have tried using the MSI card as a single card and it still crashed on me. I haven't been able to test it in another computer yet but I should be have access to one soon.

If I were to get a GTX 770 would it be best to get the 4GB or 2GB version? Ive seen lots of different opinions on how much vram games in the near future could use though I understand that it is kind of difficult to give any answer at this time.

Same question for the 280x but the vram amounts would 3GB and 6GB. If the 6GB is useless for the 280x it does seem like there is kind of no reason to get a 770 except for certain features and bonus games.

 

[mfenn]

Non-reference R9 290's are creeping down into your price range, so I'd look at one of those.

XFX R9 290 4GB $440 AR @ Newegg.ca
Diamond R9 290 4GB $450 @ MX

Alternatively, if you don't care about noise when gaming (which you might not given that you've been running GTX 570 SLI), then you can get a pretty much reference cooled R9 290 for less.

Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X $390 AR

 

[Nauticle]

I have decided to just stick with the GTX 570 for now and to wait for more information regarding the next generation of video cards. As much as I would like to upgrade I have a feeling I might have some buyers remorse later down the line for not waiting.

Thanks everyone for the help it is greatly appreciated.

 

[riversend]

Nothing wrong with holding off, you certainly want to feel good about spending your money. Watch the video cards and graphics forums as the next release shows up.