Upgrading GPU from GTX 560 non-ti 1gb with Auria EQ276W

[phagemasterflex]

First, here's my rig my friend helped me build 1 year ago.

Monitor = EQ276W 2560x1440

Intel Core i5-3550 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500

ASUS P8Z77-V LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4X2133C11R

Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case, support up to E-ATX / XL-ATX, come with Four Fans - 1 x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1 x Top 230mm Fan, 1 x Side 230mm Fan, 1 x Rear 140mm Fan $119.99
1 x

OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - OEM

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler

LG DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model GH24NS90




I upgraded my monitor this past Spring to the Auria EQ276W which I love. So far, the GTX 560 non-ti is serving me OK with my current selection of games (BF3, Civ5, etc.) albeit I don't run things on Ultra.

I'm interested in upgrading my GPU with a $400 or less budget ($300 would be more preferable), I would like to be able to player newer/more graphics intense games at a high level (perhaps not Ultra) at 50-60 fps.

Is this a reasonable expectation, and what are some suggestions? I've done a lot of research and have an idea of potential cards, but I'm still naive compared to other members of this forum so any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Shmee]

With that budget, you could easily get a 7970, or mb even 7950 crossfire, if you are open to that.

 

[phagemasterflex]

Yes, I am open to crossfire or SLi. Extreme PS Calc says I can run the 7950 in xfire.

 

[raghu78]

OP right now there are some crazy deals on HD 7950 and HD 7970 cards. HD 7950 is still the best value for money card. I recommend getting a Sapphire HD 7950 for USD 220 (200 after MIR)

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

HD 7950 is 5-7% slower than HD 7970 at same clocks. at average overclocks of 1100 - 1150 mhz , HD 7950 matches HD 7970 Ghz.

you can play the latest games at 1440p without AA at max settings. for AA you would need CF. With the 13.8 frame pacing driver CF is now a viable option. The phase 1 bought DX11 / DX10 game frametime improvements. phase 2 should release by sometime early next month and handle DX9, OpenGL games.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Thought about getting another GTX 560 and doing SLI? Would cost less than $100.- Yes, you would still have only 1gb of vram. Some folks say that running at 1440 allows for lower AA settings so you may be able to get by with only 1gb. Even if it doesn't work out to your liking can re-sell for minimum $$$.

 

[phagemasterflex]

I have considered another 560, but it's quite tempting to get 2 7950's to crossfire as it should be supported by my system. I also figure it will last a couple more years before upgrading. Thank you all for your advice thus far.

 

[spat55]

Why a Z77 board on a non K chip?

Back on subject, I would get a HD 7970, it would power that easily, I can ultra BF3 and Tomb Raider @ 1440p with 60FPS just about.

 

[phagemasterflex]

Not sure, like I said I was very novice and my friend recommended that build. Now I'm a lot more educated and would have done things differently, alas 20/20 hindsight.

Back on topic: an OC 7950 seems like a better bargain than a stock 7970. I figure might as well get 2x 7950 in crossfire for ~$100 more than a 7970....but like I said...I'm still novice. Reasonable?

 

[spat55]

Not sure, like I said I was very novice and my friend recommended that build. Now I'm a lot more educated and would have done things differently, alas 20/20 hindsight.

Back on topic: an OC 7950 seems like a better bargain than a stock 7970. I figure might as well get 2x 7950 in crossfire for ~$100 more than a 7970....but like I said...I'm still novice. Reasonable?

Yes, but if you can get a cheaper unoverclocked card go for that, it is so easy to overclock them, just two sliders and boom, you are hitting HD 7970Ghz speeds with your HD 7950

 

[ruhtraeel]

Not sure, like I said I was very novice and my friend recommended that build. Now I'm a lot more educated and would have done things differently, alas 20/20 hindsight.

Back on topic: an OC 7950 seems like a better bargain than a stock 7970. I figure might as well get 2x 7950 in crossfire for ~$100 more than a 7970....but like I said...I'm still novice. Reasonable?

On paper, that is definitely the best bang for the buck that you can get. However, crossfire performance is something you should take into account.

I personally have gotten completely fed up with my crossfired 5870's due to flickering, poor/non-existant scaling, and not having enough room to put a PhysX card, so I settled for a 7970. It's not as good of a deal as two 7950's but I'm done with crossfire.

Crossfire has improved vastly in the 7xxx series from what I've heard, but either way, you can't really go wrong.

 

[phagemasterflex]

Thanks for the advice spat55.

In regards to ruhtraeel's comments, my case is gigantic (I bought it specifically to have no worries with cable management/upgrading components) so space isn't an issue. I have read about crossfire issues, but like you said it seems it has improved vastly. Definitely looking for a hassle-free upgrade though, so it's a worthwhile consideration.

 

[raghu78]

Definitely looking for a hassle-free upgrade though, so it's a worthwhile consideration.

OP a single HD 7950 at 1100 mhz is roughly a doubling of performance over a GTX 560 OC. so if you are the kind who is not particular about maxing AA just get a single HD 7950. With MSAA off you can play the latest games at 1440p with the rest of settings maxed out or close to max settings. HD 7950 is a perf beast :thumbsup:

 

[Jabrono]

No love for the GTX 760?

 

[SolMiester]

No love for the GTX 760?

In this forum, dont be silly!

Warning issued for thread derailing.
-- stahlhart

 

[RaistlinZ]

No love for the GTX 760?

7950 might be a better option for 2560x1440.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

No love for the GTX 760?

I would love it long time if they were around $200. Right now they don't seem price competitive. I just grabbed an MSI 7950 for $172.- shipped after rebates. Plus three games. Kinda hard for the 760 to compete against that.

 

[phagemasterflex]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I ordered the 7950 linked by raghu78. I figure 1 will be great for now, and if the price drops in the future I can snag another to give xfire an attempt. Your input has been greatly appreciated.

 

[FalseChristian]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I ordered the 7950 linked by raghu78. I figure 1 will be great for now, and if the price drops in the future I can snag another to give xfire an attempt. Your input has been greatly appreciated.

I'm an nVidia nut-case and I bought 2 eVGA GTX 760 4GB for $309.99 each + tax in Canadian money but I still think you made the right choice. I think when the new Radeon HD 9970-9950 comes out then buy another 7950 and you'll be laughing.