Need New Card!

[TheAmazingElik]

Hey guys this is my first post and im new to this site so please be nice. I currently have an Alienware x51 R2 from 2013. Don't hate me.. I wish I had built my pc but i was much less mature and didn't know what i was doing. My pc specs at the moment: Intel Core i5 4430, GeForce GTX 645, 8GB Ram, Win 8.1, 1920x1080 res. So I'm looking to get a new graphics card to help me run games like GTA V, Arma 3, Battlefield, CoD, and some more GPU intensive games. I would be willing to spend around $200 on this upgrade. The main problem is that i may need a new case depending on what card i get. My case right now only supports the upgrade to a 750 ti by EVGA since its such a small card. So I am looking for a recommendation on BOTH a CASE and a GRAPHICS CARD. Thanks to any who reply. I hope it helps.

 

[disturbed force]

Here is a suggestion,

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RVs2WZ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RVs2WZ/by_merchant/

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $192.98

 

[i7Baby]

Get the best graphics card you can for $200 eg http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-gtx960gaming2g

but make sure it'll fit ion your case and that your psu (430W+) can run it reliably.

 

[i7Baby]

Case - Corsair 200R - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-200r

 

[TheAmazingElik]

I appreciate you guys answering very quickly. Im keeping this thread open to more suggestions. I would like to stick with a nvidia graphics card and have it at 3gb ram. So please try to help me out. Thanks!

Edit: If anyone can find a compatible case for my current build and this graphics card http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V4HY522/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00V4HY522&linkCode=as2&tag=paulshardware-20&linkId=D5VJ6QLQBJXE3WZQ it would be much appreciated

 

[disturbed force]

I appreciate you guys answering very quickly. Im keeping this thread open to more suggestions. I would like to stick with a nvidia graphics card and have it at 3gb ram. So please try to help me out. Thanks!

That won't happen for $200, the 960 is 2gb and the next up is the 970 and it has 4gb or 3.5 depending on who you ask, but goes for $330+.

Edit: forgot about the 960 4gb for about $250

 

[TheAmazingElik]

Ya i wouldnt mind going the extra 60 bucks for better performance in the long run. the only problem is i also need a case because the card is pretty damn big.

 

[i7Baby]

MSI Gaming 960 is 267mm long

Corsair 200r can take a card 420mm long.

 

[i7Baby]

The 4gb version is the same length but $40 more - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-gtx960gaming4g

 

[disturbed force]

Ya better performance in the long run for $10 more with a $20 rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202143&cm_re=290-_-14-202-143-_-Product but you would need a psu and a case.

Perfomance gap,

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/gta_v_pc_graphics_performance_review,5.html
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/msi_geforce_gtx_960_gaming_oc_review,15.html

 

[TheAmazingElik]

That is a great looking card and id look into getting it only i have no idea what case/psu i would need for it to be compatible.

 

[disturbed force]

After further research if it is a R1 you would need a new psu with a case and and video card above a 660, because your psu is external and is only 330watts and the powerboard will only give the card 150watts but in the R2 model the powerboard will give the gpu 170watts and is enough for you to upgrade to a reference 970. You need to find out if it's a x51 R1 or R2.

R1 option,

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7mGcrH
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7mGcrH/by_merchant/

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X OC Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H21 ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $337.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts

R2 option, still think it's iffy but any sources say it will work with the R2,

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dKJ2jX
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dKJ2jX/by_merchant/

Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 970 4GB XLR8 Video Card ($302.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $302.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

[TheAmazingElik]

It is an R2. Would the MSI 960 4gb still work with a large enough case or do i need a compatible psu?

 

[disturbed force]

If you can find a reference 960 4gb it should work, the only reference I could find was the 2gb version. You were willing to spend $260 plus a case, but now you don't need a case I would go for the 970 for $300.

 

[i7Baby]

MSI Gaming 960 is 267mm long

Corsair 200r can take a card 420mm long.

 

[disturbed force]

MSI Gaming 960 is 267mm long

Corsair 200r can take a card 420mm long.

A reference 970 will fit in the x51 r2 case and work with the the power board, if he got a 960 4gb and a case with a psu because the psu is external he would be well over the $300 for the reference 970, I'm not sure a non reference 960 4gb would fit, and I can't find it in a reference card.

 

[i7Baby]

I'd get a 2gb gtx960. You'd only run 1080p with it anyway. And there's no reference models that were made.

A 960 will fit if a 970 fits.

The OP was looking for a case and a GPU. So Corsair 200R and a gtx960 is what I'd recommend.

 

[TheAmazingElik]

So do you guys know whether if i were to get the 960 4gb and a new case would it be compatible?

 

[i7Baby]

Yes it would.

 

[disturbed force]

But why not get a 970 for less then getting a 960 4gb, new case, and psu?

 

[i7Baby]

That's what he's asked for - new gpu and case.

 

[disturbed force]

That's what he's asked for - new gpu and case.

He asked for that because a 960 4gb won't fit in his case, but a 970 will fit in his case for cheaper then the 960 4gb, case, and psu (because the psu is external). Do you understand what i'm saying?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVi9puLG00A

http://www.alienowners.com/threads/nvida-gtx-970-980-are-making-alienware-x51-the-best-pc-in-the-world-lol.6088/