Upgrading 5 year old gaming PC: 6770 or 6870?

[kleep]

My computer is craptastic but I can't get a new one just yet. I have decided to simply upgrade the graphics card and then eventually build a new computer. But not for a good year or so.

So I would simply just go for the 6870 but my concerns are that i only have 420W power supply AND if it would fit, since it is pretty big

I did look in my mobo today and it looks like there is nothing running up close to the PCI-E slot, so I might be good on space.

Suggestions?

These are the two options I forsee:
6770 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150540
or the 6870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

My current setup is:

■ POWER: 420W Power Supply
■ COOLING: CPUCOOL|ARCTIC FREEZER 7 PRO REV.2
■ PROCESSOR: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6420 (2x 2.13GHz/2MB L2 Cache/1066FSB)
■ MOBO: Asus P5N-E SLI nForce® 650i SLI Chipset w/6-channel CODEC, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, IEEE-1394 Dual PCI-E MB
■ RAM: 4 gig DDR2-800 PC6400
■ VIDEO CARD: Nvidia GeForce 9500 GT

 

[FlintIronStagg]

what brand/model is your psu

 

[kleep]

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6420 (2x 2.13GHz/2MB L2 Cache/1066FSB)

 

[gamer25]

your options are limited to the GTX 460 ,or you must upgrade to 600W PS
but the GTX460 still a great Video Card

EVGA GeForce GTX 460 FPB EE (External Exhaust) 1024 MB GDDR5

 

[FlintIronStagg]

your psu(power supply unit) not your cpu. Brand matters quite a bit on psus to determine if it will handle a card

 

[kleep]

I bought the computer through ibuypower in 07.

These are the specs:

Case ( [New !!!] Nzxt Hush Gaming Tower Case w/420W Power Supply Black )Power Supply ( Standard Case Power Supply )

I believe this review is for my case:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=1

If that helps...

 

[kleep]

I could open the computer up and check on the actual info on the power supply, but I am at work currently.

 

[jjb8675309]

get a reliable psu and a 6770 bc your cpu will seriously hold back a 6870 (not to mention a 6770) unless you intend on ocing to around 3 ghz or more.... either gpu will be a nice upgrade from a 9500gt but id def replace that psu if you value your components...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033&Tpk=antec%20earthwwatts%20380w PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102941

GPU

that is what id get if I were the OP then start oc'ing that cpu

 

[FlintIronStagg]

get a reliable psu and a 6770 bc your cpu will seriously hold back a 6870 (not to mention a 6770) unless you intend on ocing to around 3 ghz or more.... either gpu will be a nice upgrade from a 9500gt but id def replace that psu if you value your components...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033&Tpk=antec%20earthwwatts%20380w PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102941

GPU

that is what id get if I were the OP then start oc'ing that cpu

I came back and refreshed the page after checking newegg to suggest the same exact thing. are you sure the earthwatt will power that rig? i know the 6770 is good on power

 

[jjb8675309]

yeah the Antec earthwatts 380w psu powers a 6850 and an oced 925 (3.4GHZ) in an older toms 500 dollar sbm; build it gives about 28 amps between split 12v rails. Which is great for its class

I have a backup rig running with a 955 oc'ed to 3.6 and a 5770 and it runs with zero hitch and a nice oc on the gpu too, so I'd say yeah absolutely no problem

 

[kleep]

Great! This setup sounds perfect. One more question... is the antec PSU sized to fit my case or do I need to take measurements.

Thank you all very much! Tom's hardware FTW!

 

[kleep]

Best answer selected by kleep.

 

[amirp]

The PSU will fit bro, good luck

 

[jjb8675309]

it will be fine happy gaming

 

[kleep]

Thank you all! Ordering from newegg now!