GPU Upgrade Advice - Upgrading 550ti

[ntong90]

Hey Community,

Looking for some advice for a minor upgrade on my current desktop. I'm looking to build a completely new setup in a month or two, but I'll be keeping my current at my house and the new build wherever I'll be moving to. Below are the current specs and I was looking to upgrade the GPU to run most games at 60 fps at 1080p consistently with no frame drops. I don't need to run games on Ultra with this desktop.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500k 3.3GHz
Mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB DDR3 1600
PSU: Rosewill Green Series 530W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified

As far as I know, the CPU should still be fine and I guess the Mobo also. It's mainly the GPU and possibly PSU, if needed, that I'm looking to replace. I'll be heading to the micro center in my area (Chicago) this weekend so I'll be picking up the parts for the upgrade. I don't want to spend more than $200 if I don't have to. Open to all suggestions, thanks in advance.

 

[dangus]

nvidia gtx 960 or an amd r9 380. honestly i would just get whichever is cheaper. they're both good cards...maybe the 380 is a bit faster...

both come in right around the $200 mark and provide very good gaming performance

 

[rvilkman]

Well basically you are looking at getting a GTX960 or R9 380 that would fit the bill.
Those run around that $200-220 range. GTX960 being the preferred choice as it for sure does not require a PSU upgrade.

Should also get you 60ish FSP on games with high to very high settings at 1080p.

 

[Croc777]

Hey Ntong90!

If you are looking for a sub $200 GPU from Microcenter to run most games at 1080p at 60fps, I'd recommend either a refurbished GTX 770 ( http://www.microcenter.com/product/441660/GeForce_GTX_770_2GB_PCIe_Video_Card_(REFURBISHED) ) or a GTX 960(options here: http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.aspx?N=0&NTX=&NTT=gtx+960&NTK=all&page=1&sortby=pricelow ). As for the PSU, as long as you have an 8 pin + 6 pin connector on your current PSU you should be fine. However, if you plan on buying a PSU you'll later transplant into your new build, I'd recommend either a corsair or EVGA PSU that's either bronze or gold rated at 650W (or more if you plan on SLI-ing graphics cards now or in the future). I actually work in the Build Your Own department at the Chicago Microcenter, so if you have any other questions feel free to message me!