Have questions about upgrading/rebuilding. Want GTX 680.

BigBosun

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Jun 5, 2012
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Hello,

I'm looking to upgrade/rebuild my current computer. I have a store bought Gateway gateway dx4860-ef22p

http://ca.gateway.com/gw/en/CA/content/model/PT.GCCP2.011

I've been looking at getting a GTX 680 card, but there's lots of variety and I'm not sure which is the best way to go. I've been told I'll need a new case and a new power supply to handle it. I was given a CoolerMaster HAF932 in good condition from a friend so I believe I'm OK for the case. I've been recommended by another friend to get a 1000W power supply, but I want to know if that's overkill. I'm also wondering if there will be any problems with compatibility between everything as it is a store bought computer. I'm going to have a friend build it all into the new case for me. I'm willing to spend up to $1000 to upgrade all that i need to. From the prices I've seen in my research the card is around $500 and a good power supply around $200-300. Please let me know if there's anything else I should consider upgrading while I'm at it.

I want the new card to play Diablo 3, SC2, and Total War:Shogun 2 with better graphics (preferably maxed) than my stock GT 520 can handle.

I'm fairly new to the tech side of computers and would really appreciate any help I can get.
 

willard

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Nov 12, 2010
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I've been recommended by another friend to get a 1000W power supply, but I want to know if that's overkill.
Your friend is wrong, you only need a PSU that big if you're running multiple cards. A good 550 - 650 watt supply is fine for any single card.

'm also wondering if there will be any problems with compatibility between everything as it is a store bought computer.
All the core components are regular, run of the mill parts. Only the case is proprietary.

I've seen in my research the card is around $500 and a good power supply around $200-300.
You can get a sufficient PSU for much less than that. Seasonic makes the best PSUs, but they're the most expensive as well. Antec is up there with Seasonic, and tends to run a bit cheaper. Corsair also makes great units and are cheaper still. There are other good brands, but those are the ones I try to stick to.
 

DM186

Splendid
There is nothing wrong with a store bought PC except the case. I believe the 680 GPU only needs a 550w PSU and you can get them at good prices I will link you to a few of them.

I have two of the worst GPU's nVidia put out and I play showgun 2 on max settings so there is not a doubt that you will be able to play on max settings so here is the PSU's

If you can't get them where I link you then look for the PSU brands to get are Corsair, Antec, Seasonic, XFX, Silver Stone, and some OCZ brands. I am giving you the 750w PSU's because they are the best price for the dollar. Good luck to you.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341041

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087
 
Unless you have a 2560x1600, 1080p120Hz, or 1080p3D monitor, there is little good reason for getting a GTX 680. If you don't have at least one of the above, then the 680 is so fast that your monitor can be a bottle-neck because it doesn't have the resolution and/or Hz/3D for the 680's performance to be fully utilized. If you have a regular 1080p display, then the Radeon 7850 would be a better choice. If you have a 1600x900 or 1680x1050 display, then a factory overclocked Radeon 7770 is the best choice. If you have an even lower resolution display, then a Radeon 7750 is the best choice.

The GTX 680 is only a good choice if you have a monitor that can display the 680's full potential. Even then, you can get a factory overclocked GTX 670 4GB for about the same price as a GTX 680 and that is a better card.
 

BigBosun

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Jun 5, 2012
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Thanks for your answers, I have some comments and more questions.

Unless you have a 2560x1600, 1080p120Hz, or 1080p3D monitor, there is little good reason for getting a GTX 680. If you don't have at least one of the above, then the 680 is so fast that your monitor can be a bottle-neck because it doesn't have the resolution and/or Hz/3D for the 680's performance to be fully utilized.

Thank you for pointing that out. My monitor isn't up to that level.

I am giving you the 750w PSU's because they are the best price for the dollar. Good luck to you.

Thank you for those links. I like the look of both the;

SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply =http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087]

And

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply =http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021]

Between these two can anyone give me an idea of which would be better suited to what I need? Which brand has better cooling and such.

I recommend this GTX 670:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130787

Whats the significance of the FTW? Whats the difference between that and other 670's?
 

shokan

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Newegg also has a Canadian site. All items, I believe, are shipped from US, so don't know about customs duties (about 10 - 15%).

http://www.newegg.ca/Index.aspx?name=Home

TigerDirect, which is another big one from the US, also has a Canadian website. Their prices are about the same as Newegg and their product line is similar. TigerDirect has real stores in Canada as well. Newegg doesn't, AFAIK. If you don't have credit cards, there is the PayPal option to pay, same as Newegg.ca.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/
 

willard

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You're about a week late on that, buddy.
 

shokan

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lol, ok, I see above. BTW, I've submitted questions to both compaies, including dell.ca to see what they say about customs duties since I believe all three ship from US for Canadian orders.

edit: tigerdirect.ca replied to say that they will cover customs fees for items ordered from Canada. Though newegg.ca sent me a reply completely unrelated to my simple question, I would imagine that their policy is the same. That there are Canadian versions of newegg, tigerdirect and dell is probably to avoid having Canadian customers paying customs fees.