best gpu for 550 watts

[goodthingscostalot]

Got corsair vs550. Got it as a gift from my gf so lets not get into why I got it. I'm planning on upgrading my gpu. I'm not gonna move past 1080. Which of these gpu would future proof me for at least next three years if I wanna play max details in 1080p? Gtx 970, r9 390, r9 380x.
And btw I got i5 4690 non k. (got it for 175$ for everyone wondering why would anyone get the non k)

Thanks in advance

 

[N3rdR4ge]

the vs series is corsair's lowest end power supply. they do not have the quality and reliability to run a high power system. even within rated specs, people tend to have many issues with those power supplies. please avoid the cs and cx series as well. they make different models for a reason. the vs series is meant for every day use machines with low end parts and/or no gpu, making it more affordable.

http://www.corsair.com/en/power-supply-units

gtx 970=500w minimum
r9 390 & r9 390x=750w minimum

you can pick a new psu with the quality you need from tier 1 or tier 2 here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx

until then i recommend against upgrading to a 970 or r9 390 until you get a new psu.

 

[Dulith1118]

i would go for the970 cuz it requires low power than amd but the psu is a tier 3 it should work but i recommend getting a tier 1 or 2

 

[Archaic59]

i would go for the970 cuz it requires low power than amd but the psu is a tier 3 it should work but i recommend getting a tier 1 or 2

This is incorrect. Corsair VS series are tier 4.

 

[Dulith1118]

my bad sorry tier 4

 

[rolli59]

It will handle GTX970 max!

 

[goodthingscostalot]

The psu is two month old. Is it so unreliable that I shouldn't use the psu with 970 for maybe few month before I throw them??

And on second thought, every time I use any switch (even fan and light) my monitor goes blank for couple of seconds. I didn't have this problem when I use my Xbox or tv normal. Could the psu be the culprit???

 

[rolli59]

You have the PSU and it will run GTX970. Tier 4 just means do not stress it but is not the avoid or replace immediately list!

 

[Dulith1118]

yeah vs will be useable but dnt overclock it or do fancy stuff other people jst play games and u should be fine

 

[goodthingscostalot]

I don't plan on OCing or anything like that. I read alot of people saying r9 390+i5 4690 needs less than 550w. Will r9 390 work with my psu? My mobo supports crossfire only. So i thought it might be useful few years down the line.

 

[goodthingscostalot]

And what do you guys think about 380x. Will it work with 550w??

 

[rolli59]

The extra power consumption of the 390 over 970 for the same performance level is probably too risky for your PSU.
Crossfire only boards are not really suitable for dual card setups since they run CF @ X16 X4 which is not as good as X8 X8

 

[goodthingscostalot]

I remember reading the performance loss is around 5% when using x16x4 at 1080p. The loss is greater at lower resolution and cf is not worth it at higher resolution.

 

[goodthingscostalot]

I remember reading somewhere the performance loss using x16x4 is only 5-8% compared to x8x8 at 1080-1440p. The loss was higher at lower res and cfing wasn't worth it at higher res. Which is why I thought cfing wouldnt be a bad idea after few years.

 

[rolli59]

avg is around 10% loss, really in few years there may be much better single card options than 2 of what you got.

 

[goodthingscostalot]

I guess I'll go with 970 then. I'll look for some good deal. Thanks rolli and others.

 

[goodthingscostalot]

Also is it better to get 380x and upgrading after an year when HBM is mainstream or will 970 work for the next three four years???

 

[Dulith1118]

970 will hot u for 2 years in ultra setting and after that high medium and low so yeah u will be okay for 3-4.5 years