Noob needs help upgrading GPU

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
B

bardoodla

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
23
0
4,510
Just finished my first build a month ago and my buddy let me use his ATI 5750 card to save some money. Looking to upgrade. I have an ASUS|M5A99FX PRO R2.0 990FX AM3+ M/B and was looking into the MSI GTX 970 GAMING 100ME card. Just wondering if that would work or if you guys have any better recommendations. I play games like both Metro's, the witcher series, elder scrolls and want to try out the crysis series. Thanks
 
Solution
rcald2000
I like AMD cards. But be aware that they generally use more wattage than their Nvidia counterparts. I see a lot of people talking about MSI's R9 390 lately. If I was getting one, I'd probably try to find a good deal on a used 290X on Ebay if possible. I like finding deals on older generation stuff. I don't have experience with their latest offerings, but I've heard that the R9 390 doesn't have much room for overclocking, while the GTX 970 definitely does. I love the 970's. I think they should be $50 cheaper at this point, but Nvidia didn't ask my opinion =>
Sort by date Sort by votes
rcald2000

rcald2000

Splendid
Nov 3, 2009
5,596
159
28,990
@barboodla, I'm very good at spending other people's money. I always like to recommend that when people have to upgrade that they go up to a 850 watt tier 1 or 2 PSU. The reason is that 850 watts is enough wattage for the user to upgrade to two top tier Nvidia cards with moderate overclocking in the future, if they want. But if money is tight then we can help you find something cheaper.

*** power requirements for graphics cards ***
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

*** PSU tier list ***
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
rcald2000

rcald2000

Splendid
Nov 3, 2009
5,596
159
28,990
* First PSU is enough wattage for up-to a single GTX 980 Ti. The second card is enough wattage for up to two GTX 980 Ti's in SLI. Obviously they are both more than enough for your GTX 970.

EVGA SuperNOVA GS 220-GS-0650-V1 80 PLUS GOLD 650 W 5 yr Warranty ECO Mode Fully Modular
$84.99 after $10.00 rebate card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438048&cm_re=evga_gs_650-_-17-438-048-_-Product

EVGA 220-G2-0850-XR 80 PLUS GOLD 850 W 10 yr Warranty ECO Mode Fully Modular
$129.99 after $20.00 rebate card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438018&cm_re=evga_g2_850-_-17-438-018-_-Product
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bardoodla

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
23
0
4,510
Should I shoot for something that could put out 600-650? Or would that be overkill? I found a Corsair(heard that was a good brand?) for a decent price. Will there be a big difference between the 960 and 970? Again very new at this so be gentle.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
rcald2000

rcald2000

Splendid
Nov 3, 2009
5,596
159
28,990
Depends which Corsair. Corsair CX is not a good power supply. You can check the tier list I posted below and pick out something that suites you. You could get away with a 550 watt tier 1 or 2. I only recommended no less than 650, so that you had room to upgrade passed the GTX 970 in the future. The chose is yours.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bardoodla

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
23
0
4,510
See neither of those EVGA's are too expensive, the 980 however is a bit much for me. I see what you're saying with the extra wattage for future purchases. What do you guys think about AMD cards?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bardoodla

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
23
0
4,510
I think I will heed your advice with the 850w EVGA, not too pricey, 10 year warranty and I feel like I'll be able to use it for years to come. Thanks rcald2000 you're the man
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
rcald2000

rcald2000

Splendid
Nov 3, 2009
5,596
159
28,990
I like AMD cards. But be aware that they generally use more wattage than their Nvidia counterparts. I see a lot of people talking about MSI's R9 390 lately. If I was getting one, I'd probably try to find a good deal on a used 290X on Ebay if possible. I like finding deals on older generation stuff. I don't have experience with their latest offerings, but I've heard that the R9 390 doesn't have much room for overclocking, while the GTX 970 definitely does. I love the 970's. I think they should be $50 cheaper at this point, but Nvidia didn't ask my opinion =>
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
rcald2000

rcald2000

Splendid
Nov 3, 2009
5,596
159
28,990
I have the 850 unit myself. Actually I own two 850's, two 1300's (all gold efficiency) and one 1200 (platinum efficiency). I think they are good units for the the quality that you get. I have the two 850's for my friend's and mom's build that I'm working on, I have two 1300's because my video card came with a 50% off coupon on PSU's, and I used my friend's coupon as well. I bought the 1200 before I knew about the coupons.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bardoodla

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
23
0
4,510
I think I'll go with the 850 evga and possibly even evga's 970 if not the MSI. You've been more help then anyone else I could find and will keep you in mind for future inquiries, thanks again good sir
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bardoodla

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
23
0
4,510


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
rcald2000

rcald2000

Splendid
Nov 3, 2009
5,596
159
28,990
Good question. Yes, even though the card is PCIe 3.0 x16, and your slots are PCie 2.0 x16, it'll work. It'll work because it's backwards compatible by one generation. You have two slots that'll support that card. FYI: It's possible that you'll need to update your BIOS to have the card run smoothly but that really shouldn't be a big deal. Try the card without updating the BIOS and see if it works. If not then update the BIOS.

*** motherboard slot specs ***
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (dual x16)
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x1
1 x PCI
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bardoodla

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
23
0
4,510


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bardoodla

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
23
0
4,510
rcald you still there for help? what's the difference in these 2 psu's? EVGA 220-GS-0850-V1 and the EVGA 220-G2-0850-XR. Is one a newer version, they seem to be basically the same to me.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
RockyPlays

RockyPlays

Honorable
Dec 16, 2014
1,384
0
11,960


The G2 is made by superflower and is an incredible psu. The GS is made by Seasonic and is also very high quality. Supposedly the GS might be slightly quieter. They are both very good Power supplies and I say buy whichever is cheaper, if they were the same price I would say go with the G2 as it is the best Power Supply you can buy for that price, but seeing how there is little to no difference between them, get whichever is cheapest. You cannot go wrong with either.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
rcald2000

rcald2000

Splendid
Nov 3, 2009
5,596
159
28,990
* Both are rated tier one by Tom's Hardware experts. Both are highly rated by JonnyGuru. Personally I prefer the G2 over the GS, but you can't go wrong with either. I only buy G2 and P2 models, but I'm just overly picky. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the GS model.

EVGA Supernova GS 850W
* manufactured by Seasonic
* functionality and build quality rated 9.5 out of 10
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=414

EVGA Supernova G2 850W
* manufactured by Super Flower
* functionality rated 10, and build quality rated 9.5
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=377

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom