Looking for a moderate graphics card upgrade without replacing system

[Wanderer]

Hi all,

got the system spec below from OC a little over a year ago. I'd like to upgrade the graphics cards - went relatively cheap at the time on them, as then the focus was more on processing power for applications (development etc.). Now, I'd like to improve the graphics side, but I'm not sure exactly what I can do - any suggestions gratefully accepted.

I'd like not to have to upgrade powersupply etc. Ideally, would like to be able to run Diablo 3 (when it finally comes). Outside of D3, not key performance drivers -not a FPS player really (currently flip between NWN2 and Civ V).
Currently running Win 7 64bit Ultimate.

Key for me is to be able to continue running 2 monitors on DVI/HDMI, DX10 (ideally DX11) and probably £100 (each) or less?

system:
AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition "125W Edition" 3.20GHz (Socket AM3)
Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 550W ATX2.2 Modular SLi Compliant Power Supply
Asus M4A79XTD Evo (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard
2 x OCZ Platinum AMD Edition 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 1600MHz Dual Channel (OCZ3P1600LVAM4GK)
Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black
LG GH22NS50 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM
Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (WD7501AALS)
2 x Viewsonic VX2260wm 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor

current grpahics
2 x XFX ATI Radeon HD 4650 512MB TV-Out/HDTV/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail


Looks like the 5770?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-149-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=
or maybe not "450 Watt or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended (600 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode) "http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/DESK...5770/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5770-overview.aspx#3

Maybe 5670:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-025-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1673
"400 Watt or greater power supply recommended (500 Watt for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode) "
http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/DESK...VIEW/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5670-overview.aspx#3


Thoughts?

 

[Redmint]

You've got a couple of options, you could just go for the crossfire 5770s (your 550W PSU should be fine, manufacturers always put a safe overestimate for those suggested PSUs).

Or you get a single fast card and keep your power consumption lower:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-241-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1866 or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-240-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1866 or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-074-GI&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

Any of those would be a massive upgrade from your crossfire 4650s.

 

[Daniel C]

Im using a 5670 512MB and can say its certainly not got enough grunt to play at 1920x1080. Games like Mass effect 2 and Arma 2.

I have just ordered a 5850 for £160 (DVI and HDMI) Going on recommendations from here, they are brilliant for the price.

 

[Wanderer]

Thanks guys - will look into those! Much appreciated.

If/when I get greedy, and want to crossfire those, I know I'd need to upgrade PSU - anything else? Will the poard take 2 of those cards (space/form factor wise?)

 

[Wanderer]

You've got a couple of options, you could just go for the crossfire 5770s (your 550W PSU should be fine, manufacturers always put a safe overestimate for those suggested PSUs).

Or you get a single fast card and keep your power consumption lower:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-241-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1866 or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-240-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1866 or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-074-GI&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

Any of those would be a massive upgrade from your crossfire 4650s.

Thanks - Asus ATI Radeon HD 6850 OC 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card ordered, due tomorrow.