Compatible GPU as an upgrade?

[c10h15n]

Hi.

I'm getting back into fps gaming, and I'm looking to upgrade my second older computer with some parts that will help me play well. I have a gaming PC that I use only for playing Skyrim and similar title games, however this one is going to be purely for fps gaming.

I have a 144hz monitor ready.
The CPU is an i5 3570k, I have 16GB of Kingston HyperX RAM, a Corsair CX600 PSU, and I'm ashamed to say that I actually forgot the motherboard's name since it was stupidly long (I can't seem to find the model name written on the motherboard either, but maybe i'm an idiot). It's an MSI Z77 something with the 1155 socket, and my current card is an XFX 7950 3GB.
I want to change my graphics card, however I'm not sure what would be suitable and if certain cards would be a bottleneck or wouldn't be compatible with my GPU. I understand that this is incredibly tough for anyone to advise me on without specifically knowing what my motherboard is, but any effort to do so is genuinely greatly appreciated.

Ideally I'd like an old NVIDIA (5xx or 6xx, although not 590/690) series of similar or greater power to my 7950. VRAM isn't a huge issue although 3GB is preferred over 2GB. The reason why I'm so specific about the series of graphics card I want is because I believe these series had the best hybrid of high fps performance without the input lag you get from newer nvidia drivers. I'd also consider AMD cards, although after the hellish ordeals I faced with my 7950 I told myself I'd be done with the company and their drivers for life.


Thanks for reading, any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Robertwhyte]

its my understanding that drivers are not card specific, for instance i have a 970 and if i wanted to put back in my 760 i wouldnt need to do anything with the drivers(i may be wrong). there's is no reason whatsoever to get a 680 over a 970, and no, your cpu wont bottleneck a 970.

 

[jay2tall]

You want a GTX970 hands down. It's pretty much the best bang for the buck right now and 4GB VRAM. They OC like a wild banshee if you get the right models. Your system over all looks good for any games you want to play, you just need the graphical power. A single 970 will run perfectly happy on a Corsair CX600 PSU.

You don't want any old cards, architecturally they are inferior to anything new. They may have run rock solid with the older drivers, but you have to remember they are piling newer technology into the newer cards which are driver based. So expect some quirkiness from time to time. I falls on both drivers and game developers alike to address certain issues. The new Maxwell GPU's have a lot of cool things going for them. Just research Maxwell GPU's to get the list of new goodies.

 

[c10h15n]

@Robertwhyte: They are for AMD, so I figured they would be for NVIDIA too. If this is the case that's disappointing. Do you know if I'd be able to use older (thinking around 335ish) drivers with the GTX 970?

@jay2tall: Would it be compatible with my motherboard though? I don't want to buy the card and then realise that I am in fact unable to use it due to my MOBO being too old or something. And I don't really want new technology with these cards, I already have SLI'd 970 in my "title gaming" rig and they're awesome. This rig is purely for competitive fps gaming and decreasing input lag and frame buffer time is more important to me than raw speed or the possibility of upgrading to SLI/CF.

Thank you both for your responses, much appreciated!