Suggest a GPU and PSU upgrade

[shazlow]

My current GPU is broken. I'm looking to buy an upgrade for around $200. I'm don't play any high end games, mainly simulators and games like The sims 3 and Simcity, wow - all of which I can play on ultra settings with my current card:

imgur.com/VepkKpX

My PSU is 12V*17A=204W

So the new GPU will probably require a new PSU of at least 500W right? I'm worried about GPU and PSU sizes.

Any advice? Thanks.

 

[lucasz]

What is the rest of your rig?

 

[shazlow]

What is the rest of your rig?

I wouldn't call it a rig, just a mid range PC I bought for college work. Definitely not a gaming PC.

i.imgur.com/NdYKAEA.png

I could play SC2014, wow, TS3 and some simulators on ultra but my card was pushed to the limit, I noticed low FPS occasionally but not enough to disrupt playing the games. I want a decent card and PSU for future games. The sims 3 is most demanding with all expacs

 

[lucasz]

I would get this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2oM4M

 

[shazlow]

I would get this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2oM4M

There is a 4GB variant of that card slightly more expensive. But doesn't that card require a PSU of at least 550W?
The one you suggest is only 500W?

 

[bryonhowley]

I would get this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2oM4M

There is a 4GB variant of that card slightly more expensive. But doesn't that card require a PSU of at least 550W?
The one you suggest is only 500W?

Unless you are gaming with a monitor resolution greater than 1080p there is no reason at all to get a 4gig GPU and even then the jury is still out on the benefit vers. price with 4gig GPU's.

As far as a PSU it would help to know what the rest of your system is as that will have a effect on how big the PSU needs to be.

 

[shazlow]

I would get this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2oM4M

There is a 4GB variant of that card slightly more expensive. But doesn't that card require a PSU of at least 550W?
The one you suggest is only 500W?

Unless you are gaming with a monitor resolution greater than 1080p there is no reason at all to get a 4gig GPU and even then the jury is still out on the benefit vers. price with 4gig GPU's.

As far as a PSU it would help to know what the rest of your system is as that will have a effect on how big the PSU needs to be.

How do I tell you my system info? All I know of is this ...

Intel (R) Core (TM) i5-2320 CPU@3.00GHz
8GB RAM

My current resolution is 1080p on 24" samsung S24B350 with 60Hz refresh rate that came with PC package.

Current PSU is only 204W (17V at 12A) and I had no problems at all for over 1 year gaming on those games.

 

[lucasz]

500w is good for this build. Especially since the PSU I suggested is reliable. And no the 4GB model isn't useful unless you are playing at over 1080p

 

[dpbetter2000]

I wouldn't go for such a high end card as that r9 270. If you are really just into simulators and the like, a nvidia gtx 650 would be fine, or even a radeon 7850. If you want a little better performance, just go for either the ti boost version of the gtx 650, or the radeon 7870. Just a regular old 500w power supply will work.