Improvement to gaming setup advice

rfalla1980 · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:32

Hi guys,

I've currently got the below setup:

i5-2320 3.0GHz CPU
8GB RAM
Nvidia GTX 480
1TB HDD
80GB SSD
Coolermaster Storm Scout Mid case with 5 case fans.

It plays pretty much everything I need on High/Ultra settings e.g. Skyrim, Far Cry 3, EVE Online etc

However, I'm upping my Monitor to a new 27" 1080p from a pretty poor 19" 1280x1024 setup so I know I'll be needing a little more juice from the GFX card. My motherboard only has 1 PCI-e slot so SLI isn't an option plus the 480 runs hot enough with just one in there (70-75C at full load).

Should I/will I need to upgrade the GFX card or will the 480 cope with the higher res at high settings for a while yet? I'd rather only have a single card as i don't have the cash to swap out the motherboard and the graphics card so any suggestions for around a max £300 mark would be much appreciated.

Thanks

zakblood · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:34

sell on GTX 480, and buy 1 x Gigabyte ATi Radeon HD 7950 Windforce 3X 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with Crysis 3 & Bioshock PC Games £269.99
Total : £281.39 (includes shipping : £9.50).

Space Monkey · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:35

Personally, I'd try the 480 with the new monitor first, and then if you're not happy with it, upgrade to something like a AMD 7950/70 or Nvidia 670?

rfalla1980 · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:37

Thanks for the quick reply :-)

I've never had an ATI card, how does that one compare for performance?

The GTX 480 is loud as hell and although I've covered the heat issue I definitely would like something that runs quieter and cooler if possible.

Thx

zakblood · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:38

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/356888-15-7950

quote " 7950 wins here. They are not in the same level of the graphics card hierarchy where the 480 is one tier lower.

The direct competitor of the 480 is the 7850."

couldn't have put it better tbh

Space Monkey · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:39

The card listed above (Gigabyte Windforce) is one of the quietest cards I've ever owned, and ran at a max of about 64deg

lee32uk · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:41

@op

What make/model power supply do you have ?

rfalla1980 · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:43

lee32uk said:
What power supply do you have ?

I have an XFX 650 should be good enough?

Don't get me wrong the 480 is great but at full load (Far Cry 3/Metro 2033 at max settings) it sounds like a hairdryer ;-)

lee32uk · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:46

rfalla1980 said:
I have an XFX 650 should be good enough?

Don't get me wrong the 480 is great but at full load (Far Cry 3/Metro 2033 at max settings) it sounds like a hairdryer

Yes that PSU will be fine

Just wanted to make sure you wasn't running a generic timebomb

rfalla1980 · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:49

Safe enough there :-)

I think I'll take the plunge next month and pick up the 7950 then, guess it will be ebay for the 480 lol

lee32uk · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:49

I would agree that the windforce card is very good, but at £30 cheaper you shouldn't ignore the twin frozr. You get a 3 year warranty as well.

YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 7950 Twin Frozr III Boost Edition 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with Crysis 3 & Bioshock PC Games £239.99
Total : £250.79 (includes shipping : £9.00).

rfalla1980 · 21 Feb 2013 at 18:58

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. :-)