Need help deciding what GPU to purchase.

[RevoltLePetit]

Hey guys, I've been wondering what GPU and possibly CPU combo I should get as an upgrade for my PC. I currently have a budget of $400. Someone on craigslist near my area was selling an MSI R9 270 for $100 , used but in great condition. My current specs are as follows:

- PNY GTX 550 TI
- Intel Core i3 3220
- 8 GB Corsair Vengeance Ram
- Thermaltake 600 watt PSU

If you guys could help me find a good combo or upgrade for my PC that would be great.

 

[swifty_morgan]

somebody had a thread the other day about buying a used card that turned out to be a pile of manure.............. same story. have faith in the guy and it was the price was too good to be true........... and then there was a guy who bought 2 used 280x"s........... sure, go ahead, buy that used 270..................

got some kind of budget in mind so we can give you some options?

what is your monitor resolution?

 

[esco_sid]

good option would be to upgrade your cpu to 3570k and get a cheaper video card that would still be better than your current one and if you buy used it would be even cheaper

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($229.20 @ Newegg)
Total: $419.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 18:28 EDT-0400)

 

[RevoltLePetit]

somebody had a thread the other day about buying a used card that turned out to be a pile of manure.............. same story. have faith in the guy and it was the price was too good to be true........... and then there was a guy who bought 2 used 280x"s........... sure, go ahead, buy that used 270..................

got some kind of budget in mind so we can give you some options?

what is your monitor resolution?

Yea, I never buy things off of craigslist because of the same reasons. I have an ASUS monitor that's 1920x1080 resolution. Like I said my budget is around $400.

 

[RevoltLePetit]

good option would be to upgrade your cpu to 3570k and get a cheaper video card that would still be better than your current one

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($229.20 @ Newegg)
Total: $419.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 18:28 EDT-0400)

What GPU do you have in mind? Oh wait, nvm.....

 

[esco_sid]

good option would be to upgrade your cpu to 3570k and get a cheaper video card that would still be better than your current one

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($229.20 @ Newegg)
Total: $419.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 18:28 EDT-0400)

What GPU do you have in mind?

your budget allows to get gtx 760(you can get gtx 670 that is faster if you get it used for around the same cost wich i would not mind selling i have a gtx 670 and i want to upgrade haha)or a r9 280

 

[RevoltLePetit]

good option would be to upgrade your cpu to 3570k and get a cheaper video card that would still be better than your current one

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($229.20 @ Newegg)
Total: $419.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 18:28 EDT-0400)

What GPU do you have in mind?

your budget allows to get gtx 760(you can get gtx 670 that is faster if you get it used for around the same cost)or a r9 280

Damn it I always accidentally click on " Choose as Solution".. Anyway... would my Intel Core i3 bottleneck that GPU though?

 

[esco_sid]

good option would be to upgrade your cpu to 3570k and get a cheaper video card that would still be better than your current one

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($229.20 @ Newegg)
Total: $419.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 18:28 EDT-0400)

What GPU do you have in mind?

your budget allows to get gtx 760(you can get gtx 670 that is faster if you get it used for around the same cost)or a r9 280

Damn it I always accidentally click on " Choose as Solution".. Anyway... would my Intel Core i3 bottleneck that GPU though?

it would depend on a game if its somewhat cpu intensive it would as i3 is a low end intel processor.
here is a great deal i found on the r9 280 at newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127789&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

it would be much smarter to get the cpu and a gfx card then to spend the $400 on a video card that would bottleneck on the cpu

 

[RevoltLePetit]

good option would be to upgrade your cpu to 3570k and get a cheaper video card that would still be better than your current one

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Micro Center)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($229.20 @ Newegg)
Total: $419.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-25 18:28 EDT-0400)

What GPU do you have in mind?

your budget allows to get gtx 760(you can get gtx 670 that is faster if you get it used for around the same cost)or a r9 280

Damn it I always accidentally click on " Choose as Solution".. Anyway... would my Intel Core i3 bottleneck that GPU though?

it would depend on a game if its somewhat cpu intensive it would as i3 is a low end intel processor.
here is a great deal i found on the r9 280 at newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127789&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Let's say I consider buying the 280 and play BF4 or DayZ with the processor that I have. I'm sure there would be bottleneck there.... Does the 280 blow out lot's of hot exhuast? I have a Coolermaster Storm Enforcer but with only two fans.

 

[esco_sid]

it would be fine and you can always buy another fan for your case for like $10