Upgrading my GPU

[jonny109]

Hi all,

I currently have a 3 year old gaming PC and am looking to update the graphics card with the aim of running GTA 5 in good quality.

My PC specs:
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit SP1
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570K @ 3.40GHz Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology
RAM: 8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard: Z77-D3H Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Graphics: 1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (ASUStek Computer Inc)

I have been looking at the MSI Radeon R9 280 Gaming 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card?

But I am unsure if that would be the best?
My budget is max £200

Any advice?

Thanks

 

[stulid]

Hi.

What case and PSU do you have?

Is your boards BIOS up to date? if not do so (use Qflash to do this) as that board has a reputation for needing a BIOS update to use new GFX cards with.

P.S overclock the CPU also.

 

[jonny109]

stulid,

Case: BitFenix Merc Beta Gaming Case
PSU: OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze'
BIOS is the latest version.

Thanks

 

[stulid]

Q: What is the maximum clearance for VGA cards on Merc?
Length, PCI-Slot to front panel: 437mm
PCI-Slots to HDD-Cage (effective maximum VGA card length): 320mm

So everything is looking rosy and you can take you pick from any of these,

YOUR BASKET
1 x HIS Radeon R9 280X iPower IceQ X2 Boost 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £179.99
1 x OcUK GeForce GTX 770 "NVIDIA Reference" 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £155.99
1 x Palit GeForce GTX 960 "Reference" 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (NE5X960S1041-2060F) £155.99
1 x PowerColor AMD Radeon R9 285 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £139.99
Total : £641.56 (includes shipping : £8.00 Ex.VAT).



Free game with a GTX960.

The GTX770 is a bit faster than a GTX960.

The R9 285 is a better pick than a R9 280.

The R9 280X is the quickest of all four overall.

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What resolution is your monitor? Could you go over £200?

 

[jonny109]

Hi stulid,

My resolution is 1920 X 1080

I could possibly increase by budget to £250 would I gain much more with an increase in budget?

Thanks

 

[stulid]

You will be able to get a 970 or the 290X thats on offer on the front page and max out all games at that resolution and even give 1440P and good run.

The Merc case has a single fan, spend £5 on adding another to the front/rear wherever there isnt one.