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One final graphics card upgrade for current system?

gupott

gupott

gupott

Associate
Joined
26 May 2008
Posts
247
Hi there,

I have an ageing overclocked system that is probably about a year away from retirement, it still plays most modern games on pretty good settings but I wondered whether it was worth one final graphics card change for a bit shinier graphics prior to retirement (possibly to a media machine or something like).

So, current specs are

Intel Core 2 Quad 9300 2.5G @3.3Ghz
4GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2 Dominator Ram
Creative SB X-FI Fatal1ty Pro sound card
XFX Radeon HD 6950 1GB sound card
Asus P5K Premium Mono
HP LP2475W Monitor (1900x1200 resolution)
Win 8

It may just be I have the upgrade itch........

Is it worth changing graphics card and what to? Will anything bottleneck any new card? Should I wait and do the whole system in a year or so?

I have had a few recommendations that seem to centre on getting a second hand GTX 570. Or should I spend a bit extra and get a 660ti. I was thinking around the £150 mark but might be able to stretch to £220 but that much may not be worth it if something will bottle neck the card.

Thanks

Rossco
 
If i were you i'd upgrade your cpu/mobo to an 3570k+z77 mobo, probably see a good fps increase with your current card, or shop about for a i5 2500k+z68
 
If you already have a 6950, there isn't much point upgrading your graphics card without first upgrading the rest of your system. Putting money towards a new CPU, mobo and RAM would be a better option than upgrading from a 6950 when you are running a C2Q.
 
ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, more choices...........

Thanks for the replies guys.

ThaReaperGuy, I think the 7850 would be an improvement but possibly not worth spending the extra. I could get a 2nd hand 570 for around the same money and I think its a bit better still.

Nickolp1974, *must resist evil temptations* I had a look at both your suggestions, I could get a 3570k+z77 mobo for around £230 but then I would probably want an SSD and quickly my mind collapses and I want to buy a whole new system..... If my GFX card may be capable of more, which component might bottleneck it, the cpu?
 
rosscouk said:
ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, more choices...........

Thanks for the replies guys.

ThaReaperGuy, I think the 7850 would be an improvement but possibly not worth spending the extra. I could get a 2nd hand 570 for around the same money and I think its a bit better still.

Nickolp1974, *must resist evil temptations* I had a look at both your suggestions, I could get a 3570k+z77 mobo for around £230 but then I would probably want an SSD and quickly my mind collapses and I want to buy a whole new system..... If my GFX card may be capable of more, which component might bottleneck it, the cpu?
Click to expand...
The CPU would, though you can't upgrade that anyway without upgrading the RAM and mobo as well anyway. The 570 is only a little faster than a 6950 so it really isn't worth getting one, especially as a 7850 would be a better option for the price anyway. I stand by what I said before, and recommend upgrading your CPU, mobo and RAM before upgrading your 6950 as otherwise it'll be a mostly wasted upgrade.
 
Same i had a [email protected] and it bottlenecked a 660 which is the same as a 7850 just about.

You need sort out the CPU before doing anything which means basically a full new PC! This is why i upgraded to a new PC and sold my old Q9450 PC :)
 
weehamish said:
Same i had a [email protected] and it bottlenecked a 660 which is the same as a 7850 just about.

You need sort out the CPU before doing anything which means basically a full new PC! This is why i upgraded to a new PC and sold my old Q9450 PC :)
Click to expand...

Bottle necking is only really an issue with the upper FPS range. As long as a CPU has enough grunt to help at the low end of the FPS scale all should be well.

Personally I would get a 7950. 1gb vram is not enough any more, so I would avoid the 570 too.

Some uber deals on 7950s atm.
 
Thanks guys,

I am having a good think about upgrading the other bits and pieces of my pc now. Although technically I don't have the money. But I do have some bits and pieces to sell on ebay, so I was thinking about doing some DIY on my system.... so

Keep the

6950
PSU (corsair 750w)
2xsata HDD's
Case
monitor
mouse
keyboard

Sell or at least remove

CPU
Mobo
ram

Buy

CPU - I5 - 3570k (Ivy) - £179.99
MOBO - Gigabyte Z77-B3H - £79.99
RAM - Patriot Viper 2x4gb 1600mhz - £35.99
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 - £26.99

Price £322.96

What do you think? Should I do anything different? What about getting an SSD? Should I go the whole hog and sell the 6950 as well, if so, what else should I get?

Thanks Guys - much appreciated.
 
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