Which graphics cards should i get?

[mike204]

When i brought my computer, i was relatively new to what to buy and i didn't know exactly how everything would perform. I was also on a budget but i have some money to spend. Here is what i have now:

HAF 912 (2 120 mm fans)
955 black edition
870A-UD3
GTS 450
corsair 650tx 80+ (not proffesional edition)
4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module (Corsair or Major Brand)

I have a cpu fan but im not sure what it is because i originally wanted the maxorb enthusiast but they said they ran out and assured me that they would use one of higher pricing... If it helps, the only thing i can visibly see is blue LEDs illuminating the whole fan and its from cyberpowerpc.com

I also have windows 7 64 bit and would like to keep my 1TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM hard drive.


REAL QUESTION (i gave background info because it can be relevant)

I want to upgrade my gpu but i just figured out my mobo doesnt support SLI.

1. Would it be smarter to get a new AMD card (6950) and just toss the old one and not get a new cpu and mobo? or

2. should i get a new motherboard, new cpu (2500k) and get a 560. If i did the second option, which motherboard? I dont care about the price of the second option because it would also improve performance.

Also, with the release of ivy bridge coming up, will the 2500k drop pricing soon? If so, id probably want to wait for price drops.

And if i did the second option, would i be able to sell my cpu and mobo, and if i did the first option, would i be able to sell my graphics card? (and where to sell parts if u guys know)

One more question, i have heard that ATI cards are 2x (literally) better than Geforce in anti aliasing. I noticed mine sucks in Arma 2, and ive seen people with a 5770, and their game game looks much better than mine. Is this true? and if i get a new mobo, cpu, and 560, will the anti aliasing look much better because the 560 is a much more powerful card?

Would taking apart my computer and replacing the cpu, mobo, and graphics card be hard to do? I've never took apart my computer before but i read that its not extremely hard to build one.

Sorry for all the questions, i tried my best to organize this post. Thank you for reading and and if you can answer any one of these questions, it would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

The x4 955 is a stong CPU. Id just throw in a new GPU and overclock that CPU a bit. You will need a new psu if you do this.

 

[mike204]

thanks for the quick response. Ive been told i wont need to upgrade my psu though so i think i should be fine. Im not really familiar with overclocking though so i wouldnt really want to do that. Ive heard its not that hard but id rather not screw up my comp.

The 6950 wouldnt be bottlenecked by 955 black edition right? if i didnt overclock it.
I would like to be able to play the new battlefield when its out too. This should do it right?

 

[Zardnok]

The x4 955 is a stong CPU. Id just throw in a new GPU and overclock that CPU a bit. You will need a new psu if you do this.

Since when is a 52 amp 12V rail not enough to run any single video card out? The GTX 590 only needs 50 amps and it has dual cores.

OP, I can not speak to differing anti-aliasing performance, but my advice is rock what you got, pick up a new 6950 and drop it right in. Instant improvement in gaming performance.

As for the difficulty in swapping parts out, swapping mobo is about the hardest thing you can change out since everything has to disconnect and reconnect, but it is still not too terribly difficult if you can use a screwdriver and remember what plugs in where. Changing out CPUs can be tricky as well depending on what heatsink is used and how difficult it is to mount. Swapping a video card is relatively easy, 1 screw, 1 plug, and 1 clip.

IMO, it is easier to build a new machine from scratch than to swap out a number of different parts, because you enter with a fresh mindset and a plan. If/When you decide to do a full upgrade, I am sure there are a gazillion guides and videos on how to build your own machine, but for now a new video card is really all you need. It can be quite satisfying to build your own box and get the best performance for dollar, so I recommend trying it some day, just not today.

Anandtech has a For Sale/Trade forum you could use to sell your old parts. Ebay is another option or you could always just gift the stuff to helpful forum members. ;D

 

[Arachnotronic]

I second going with a Radeon 6950 (2gb). Huge, huge upgrade in performance. No need to go with a SNB setup -- you are not CPU limited for games!

 

[v8envy]

And you can offset some of the cost of that GPU by bitcoin mining. No, really. My 5830s are about 1/2 paid for after a week of running (6 bitcoins and change, $23/bitcoin, $208 cost).

If you go for a 6950 look for current threads about versions with good recent track records of unlocking into 6970s. It may not happen, but if it does that's a fantastic bonus.

 

[mike204]

Thanks for the replies intel17 and zardnok. I will probably end up going with the 6950 2G and just using an AMD setup. The next time i need to change CPU (probably a while after ivy bridge to wait for prices to drop), ill build my own. Im actually helping a friend build one this summer so it should be fun.

Any brand of 6950 i should get? im thinking saphire but i really dont know if any one of them is better.

Also, is overclocking that hard and could i do it safely with a cpu cooler, 2 case fans, and a 650 W power supply?
If i get the radeon, do you guys think it could handle battlefield 3?

@intel17 just curious, how does your computer run with the 2x GTX 470?

 

[betasub]

^ Sapphire is fine. XFX is also good if you want a non-reference card with a re-designed cooler.

 

[mike204]

I was just thinking, i was looking at benchmarks and the 560 TI did just as good, if not better than the 6950. Is there a graphical difference between the two? (ATI looks better than nividia but gets the same fps) the 560 TI is much cheaper and from browsing, most people say that you only need 2GB for high res screens.

@ betasub
thanks, i assumed sapphire is fine because most people have it but just wanted to make sure.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

My bad lol thought it said 450w.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

I was just thinking, i was looking at benchmarks and the 560 TI did just as good, if not better than the 6950. Is there a graphical difference between the two? (ATI looks better than nividia but gets the same fps) the 560 TI is much cheaper and from browsing, most people say that you only need 2GB for high res screens.

@ betasub
thanks, i assumed sapphire is fine because most people have it but just wanted to make sure.

I'd just get a 1gb card either 6950 or GTX 560 Ti for one screen. Eyefinity tends to need a little more.

 

[Madcatatlas]

I'd just get a 1gb card either 6950 or GTX 560 Ti for one screen. Eyefinity tends to need a little more.

+1 for this. You do not mention the resolution of your monitor, or the resolution you play at, but one of the strengths of current gen AMD cards, is their standard 2gb ram, which allows for more eye candy at higher resolutions.

i belive theres a forum member here which plays Arma2 with 2x 6990s. try to search up that topic....

 

[mike204]

+1 for this. You do not mention the resolution of your monitor, or the resolution you play at, but one of the strengths of current gen AMD cards, is their standard 2gb ram, which allows for more eye candy at higher resolutions.

i belive theres a forum member here which plays Arma2 with 2x 6990s. try to search up that topic....

I play at 1600x900.

I don't really want to bitcoin mine seeing as how shady it is and how its in a legal grey area...

I have read up and turning a 6950 to a 6970 shouldnt be hard but it will raise temps by 3 or 4 C
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159
scroll down to bottom for confirmed success and gpu temps.


Anyone know if the 560 performs the same as the 6950? i certainly dont want to make the same mistake i just made with a graphics card. My 450 makes all the trees and grass look like crap... and with most games i play focusing on outdoors, thats huge.

Also: i found the guy. More installation errors than actual performance. crossfire 6990's are a dream to me.