Suggestions for graphics card upgrade

[Kristi2k]

Currently I have:

*Windows 98SE -- Just kidding, Windows 7 x64
*4GB RAM
*i5 2.66GHz CPU
*Single 20" widescreen monitor
*Antec EarthWatts EA500 500W PSU
*ATI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16

What I want to upgrade is the graphics card; the one I have now runs Star Trek Online fine but I'd like to play the game on higher settings without hickups.

I'm looking at these two cards:
*MSI N460GTX Hawk GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
*MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16

I can't see a big difference between the two spec wise, but am looking for your advice on that. The difference in the specifications that stand out to me is that the power requirements/connections.

The 460 says: 450W PSU, 6-pin & 6-pin
The 560 says: 500W PSU, Two 6-pin

What's the difference between the connections and will my PSU be fine? I'm assuming that the connections will be fine according to this image for the PSU.

 

[Vdubchaos]

What's your budget?

460 1 gb can be had around 150 (when deals are up) up to 180-190. another option 6850 or even 6870

560 is about $250 but offerers 10-20% improvement for 40% price increase....another choice, 6950 1gb

460 is best bang for the buck, if you can find a deal on 5850....that would be better. 6850 is also an option.

500 watt is good for 5850/and 460.....but you are pushing it/risking with 560/5870 or 6950 1gb

 

[Skurge]

Whats you budget?

But seeing as you have a 20inch monitor I wouldn't get anything more than a 460.

I would suggest a 460 or a 6850. Whichever you can find cheaper is the one you should get.

The 460hawk is about $20 more expensive than most 6850 AR and about $10 more than most 460s AR

 

[tviceman]

If Star Trek Online is your most played game, then the gtx460 1 gig is by far your best option. The game runs significantly better on Nvidia cards than AMD cards.

 

[happy medium]

I was looking at this review and it seems Star trek really likes Nvidia cards.
This review shows a gtx260 beating a 5850 fairly easily.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/star-trek-online,2553-6.html

A gtx460 1gb would mop the floor with most AMD cards , at least in this game.

 

[Firestorm007]

I'd go with a 6850 for your budget. It's a great little card and overclocks pretty good.

Sorry-Now I see you listed a 460/560 as a possible replacement to your 4650. Go with the 460 then. You won't be disappointed in the performance upgrade.

 

[OCGuy]

GTX460 or 560

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Your PSU is more than enough for either card; it's fine and has the necessary connectors.

 

[Kristi2k]

STO is my most played PC game or I should say only PC game as I have an Xbox 360 for other games. I may get into RIFT (PC game) so I may go for the 560 Ti however I am concerned that it has a minimum of 500watt PSU and that is what I have now. Is that sufficient?

 

[happy medium]

STO is my most played PC game or I should say only PC game as I have an Xbox 360 for other games. I may get into RIFT (PC game) so I may go for the 560 Ti however I am concerned that it has a minimum of 500watt PSU and that is what I have now. Is that sufficient?

It looks like a gtx4601gb will give you over 60fps max details easily, but if you want a gtx560 , your psu will easily power it.

 

[tviceman]

STO is my most played PC game or I should say only PC game as I have an Xbox 360 for other games. I may get into RIFT (PC game) so I may go for the 560 Ti however I am concerned that it has a minimum of 500watt PSU and that is what I have now. Is that sufficient?

Yeah you'd be good to go. Nvidia states 500 watts in case the user is using an off-brand, inefficient PSU. With that GPU, your computer will be much, much more powerful than your xbox360, so you should definitely consider future purchases on the PC over the same game on the xbox.