Need suggestion on getting a New Graphics Card

[Jfern32]

I'm looking to upgrade my video card, currently I have a (1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series). I have a budget range of $300. I'm conflicted as to stay with AMD or switch to Nvidia. I'm looking for best performance for my buck. Also fan noise on the video cards is an issue for me. Any suggestions on what video card I should go with?



When I play League of Legends i usually have over 60 FPS but when I play Hero of the Storm (Blizzard) i can barley stay above 30 FPS. I know Blizzard games are more graphic intense. I like to run on "Ultra Graphics" so I was thinking of going with GeForce GTX 970 (http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-970)

Also, I just wanted to be reassured that this Graphics Card would fit my motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. GA-880GM-USB3 (Socket M2)?

Your help is greatly appreciated and thank you in advance!

 

[adangit]

Personally, I'd go with a 4gb 960, it's a monster!! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125777&cm_re=970-_-14-125-777-_-Product

 

[Jfern32]

Thanks for your input i'll definitely look into it but still wanna get more suggestions if possible.

 

[XxMongermaniacxX]

It totally depends. Which CPU are you using? If you can give me the CPU name I can narrow it down to 2 or 3 cards for you!

 

[XxMongermaniacxX]

go either with an asus strix 970 or a msi twin frozr 970. both great cards. both made by great manufacturers, and they look sexy too

 

[Jfern32]

Thanks for your input! Later this evening i will update with my CPU Specs to help out with the suggestions. I really like the MSI GTX 970 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127832). It would be compatible with my motherboard correct? I always want to reassure that.

 

[chris_igz]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202143&cm_re=R290-_-14-202-143-_-Product

This is probably the best R290 you will get and 4GB of VRAM is 4GB of VRAM lol. This card is a beast, I currently have one and have never seen it go above 70C at a mere 55% fan speed on all games.

 

[Jfern32]

Here is my CPU Spec: AMD Phenom II X4 955 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808) Please let me know with all these suggestions of graphics card.. would they be compatiable with my motherboard and CPU. By the way I have a 650W PSU which i know can handle any of these graphics card. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Jfern32]

What you all think?

 

[XxMongermaniacxX]

Here is my CPU Spec: AMD Phenom II X4 955 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808) Please let me know with all these suggestions of graphics card.. would they be compatiable with my motherboard and CPU. By the way I have a 650W PSU which i know can handle any of these graphics card. Thanks for all your help!

With that cpu, I would think there would be quite a bottleneck with a Gtx 970... I would reccomend upgrading your cpu first then getting a graphics card

 

[Jfern32]

I'm noticing that the temp on my CPU is at 45C to where as my Graphics card is at 67C.. I didnt have this problem 5 years ago then again games have had gotten more graphic intense. If you think it may cause a bottle neck with that GTX 970. Do you recommend something not as powerful but better than what i have right now?

Thanks for your quick response. Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

[XxMongermaniacxX]

I'm noticing that the temp on my CPU is at 45C to where as my Graphics card is at 67C.. I didnt have this problem 5 years ago then again games have had gotten more graphic intense. If you think it may cause a bottle neck with that GTX 970. Do you recommend something not as powerful but better than what i have right now?

Thanks for your quick response. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Yes, I do think it will cause a very large bottleneck. I would reccomend upgrading to a athlon x4 860k + mobo that fits that socket. Then you could sell your current mobo and cpu and use that money to put into a graphics card. The x4 860k and mobo should cost around $150, which leaves $150 left to spend on a graphics card. If you sell your phenom II and its motherboard, you should have around $200 to spend on a graphics card. (Assuming you get $50 for the combo on craigslist) You could get a 280x for around there, or get a used GTX 680 or AMD 7970 on craigslist.

 

[maxalge]

I'm noticing that the temp on my CPU is at 45C to where as my Graphics card is at 67C.. I didnt have this problem 5 years ago then again games have had gotten more graphic intense. If you think it may cause a bottle neck with that GTX 970. Do you recommend something not as powerful but better than what i have right now?

Thanks for your quick response. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Yes, I do think it will cause a very large bottleneck. I would reccomend upgrading to a athlon x4 860k + mobo that fits that socket. Then you could sell your current mobo and cpu and use that money to put into a graphics card. The x4 860k and mobo should cost around $150, which leaves $150 left to spend on a graphics card. If you sell your phenom II and its motherboard, you should have around $200 to spend on a graphics card. (Assuming you get $50 for the combo on craigslist) You could get a 280x for around there, or get a used GTX 680 or AMD 7970 on craigslist.

No, no, no, that is not an upgrade for him at all.



The problem is cpu power, I would suggest overclocking but that is probably not a good idea on OP's mobo.

I suggest getting the 960, and saving the rest of the money.

After you get some cash together jump up to something like a i5 4440 with a h97 mobo.

 

[XxMongermaniacxX]

I'm noticing that the temp on my CPU is at 45C to where as my Graphics card is at 67C.. I didnt have this problem 5 years ago then again games have had gotten more graphic intense. If you think it may cause a bottle neck with that GTX 970. Do you recommend something not as powerful but better than what i have right now?

Thanks for your quick response. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Yes, I do think it will cause a very large bottleneck. I would reccomend upgrading to a athlon x4 860k + mobo that fits that socket. Then you could sell your current mobo and cpu and use that money to put into a graphics card. The x4 860k and mobo should cost around $150, which leaves $150 left to spend on a graphics card. If you sell your phenom II and its motherboard, you should have around $200 to spend on a graphics card. (Assuming you get $50 for the combo on craigslist) You could get a 280x for around there, or get a used GTX 680 or AMD 7970 on craigslist.

No, no, no, that is not an upgrade for him at all.



The problem is cpu power, I would suggest overclocking but that is probably not a good idea on OP's mobo.

I suggest getting the 960, and saving the rest of the money.

After you get some cash together jump up to something like a i5 4440 with a h97 mobo.

I dont know if you understand that he has a budget of $300... i am making suggestions that add up to $300. getting a 760,i5 4440 , h97 mobo would cost around $400 without taxes

 

[maxalge]

I'm noticing that the temp on my CPU is at 45C to where as my Graphics card is at 67C.. I didnt have this problem 5 years ago then again games have had gotten more graphic intense. If you think it may cause a bottle neck with that GTX 970. Do you recommend something not as powerful but better than what i have right now?

Thanks for your quick response. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Yes, I do think it will cause a very large bottleneck. I would reccomend upgrading to a athlon x4 860k + mobo that fits that socket. Then you could sell your current mobo and cpu and use that money to put into a graphics card. The x4 860k and mobo should cost around $150, which leaves $150 left to spend on a graphics card. If you sell your phenom II and its motherboard, you should have around $200 to spend on a graphics card. (Assuming you get $50 for the combo on craigslist) You could get a 280x for around there, or get a used GTX 680 or AMD 7970 on craigslist.

No, no, no, that is not an upgrade for him at all.



The problem is cpu power, I would suggest overclocking but that is probably not a good idea on OP's mobo.

I suggest getting the 960, and saving the rest of the money.

After you get some cash together jump up to something like a i5 4440 with a h97 mobo.

I dont know if you understand that he has a budget of $300... i am making suggestions that add up to $300. getting a 760,i5 4440 , h97 mobo would cost around $400 without taxes

Which is why is specifically said to simply get the 960 now, and save money for the other two items.

 

[RobCrezz]

I'm noticing that the temp on my CPU is at 45C to where as my Graphics card is at 67C.. I didnt have this problem 5 years ago then again games have had gotten more graphic intense. If you think it may cause a bottle neck with that GTX 970. Do you recommend something not as powerful but better than what i have right now?

Thanks for your quick response. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Yes, I do think it will cause a very large bottleneck. I would reccomend upgrading to a athlon x4 860k + mobo that fits that socket. Then you could sell your current mobo and cpu and use that money to put into a graphics card. The x4 860k and mobo should cost around $150, which leaves $150 left to spend on a graphics card. If you sell your phenom II and its motherboard, you should have around $200 to spend on a graphics card. (Assuming you get $50 for the combo on craigslist) You could get a 280x for around there, or get a used GTX 680 or AMD 7970 on craigslist.

No, no, no, that is not an upgrade for him at all.



The problem is cpu power, I would suggest overclocking but that is probably not a good idea on OP's mobo.

I suggest getting the 960, and saving the rest of the money.

After you get some cash together jump up to something like a i5 4440 with a h97 mobo.

I dont know if you understand that he has a budget of $300... i am making suggestions that add up to $300. getting a 760,i5 4440 , h97 mobo would cost around $400 without taxes

Yeah but you suggest an Athlon 860k which is barely an upgrade at all. It wouldn't be noticeable, totally pointless upgrade. Would be a complete waste of his money.