Asus P5Q motherboard graphics card upgrade.

[Divineshadow]

Hello tom's HARDWARE community. I am currently considering upgrading my graphics card. This is my PC spec:

Processor: QuadCore Intel Xeon X3370, 3000Mhz 12Mb L2 cache
RAM: 2x Nanya 2GB at 800 Mhz and 2x Corsair XMS2 DHX at 800Mhz
Motherboard: Asus P5Q
PSU: 400W with 13A at the 12V rail. ( I am changing this for sure with a 500W corsair http://www.corsair.com/en/cx500-80-plus-bronze-certified-power-supply )
Graphics Card: Asus Nvidia 9600 GT top 512Mb 720 Mhz 2Ghz memory clock

I am currently reviewing Gigabyte Nvidia GTX 960 OC 4GB http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5401#ov
My question is is it worth getting this card having the set up I have now or should I roll for something less powerful e.x. 750 ti ?

 

[parthtrivedi]

I would suggest you settle with the 750 ti as your existing system specs would bottleneck that GPU on some CPU intensive games.

Also if you get the 750ti a few versions of the card don't require a 6-pin power connector so you wouldnt need to change your PSU.
And if you're planning to get a new PSU don't go for the corsair one get other brands such as EVGA, XFX, Antec etc.


Using a similar setup.
Hope this helps.
Goodluck.

 

[Divineshadow]

Hello parthtrivedi. I did some research on the 750ti and I have several questions. Are you using a Gigabyte or Asus one? Is it better for the card to have one external power input like the Gigabyte Black Edition does, or be powered entirely from the PCI slot like the Asus Strix gtx 750ti oc? I feel that an additional power input might be useful, due to high amperage through the mobo if there wasn't one. Plus if I decide to overclock the amperage would go even higher.

GIgabyte one: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5083#ov
Asus one: http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/STRIXGTX750TIOC2GD5/overview/

 

[parthtrivedi]

I suggest go for the Asus one. Since it doesn't require an external power connector.
The 6 pin connector is given for improved stability.

And by similar i meant the lga 775 platform. I am personally planning to get a 750ti.
And if I were in your place I would get the Asus one, as it runs cooler and quieter.

 

[Divineshadow]

I am mainly going for performance. I care less for card noise. In this line of though I am also considering Gigabyte's Black Edition. I like that they have certified it, and have tested it for 168h. Although I didn't find any exact opinion weather the Strix or the Black Edition is better.