Upgrading from a possibly broken GTA 230

[azva]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: As soon as possible
BUDGET RANGE: about 300 USD, with or without rebates.

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (Skyrim, MW3), CAD-drawing

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: Pegatron Nvidia GeForce GT 230, HP PFC 460 W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Quadcore i7 860 2,80 GHz, 4x2Gb Elpida RAM, MSI Iona motherboard (though cannot find the exact model). Windows 7 Home Premium.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I'll be using the local Swedish ones, like inet.se,
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Sweden

PARTS PREFERENCES: No idea; the generally better?

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Probably not

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
As per title, my one-year-old GTA 230 seems to have lost its fan, meaning the fan axle is spinning but the wheel itself doesn't accelerate above 30%. The result is that even in idle the GPU sensor goes up to 100+ C in a matter of 10 maybe 15 minutes.

When it comes to hardware I'm completely lost, and hence have no idea at all what graphics card to choose. I know I can just replace the fan itself, but it's probably time to change the card as well.

I couldn't locate the motherboard details, among other things, I'm sure, that I didn't even think of. So do ask.

Also, if needed, I'm willing to change the PSU as well.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

if you want to play games like the upcoming Skyrim you will need a decent video card. You could get a decent 500w Antec, Seasonic, corsair or XFX power supply and a 6950 or gtx560ti to fit your budget.

 

[azva]

Would 1Gb be enough for the 6950? This is what I found: http://www.gigabyte.se/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3693#sp

Either that, or gtx 560 ti: http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/NVIDIA_Series/ENGTX560_Ti_DCII_TOP2DI1GD5/#specifications

Would those two work? Also, I've heard the 560ti had some clocking issues (overclocked or whatever?); is there any truth to that?

I'm also uncertain about the PSU. I've found the following, but am a bit uncertain, will it be compatible with all the connectors and whatnot?
http://www.corsair.com/power-supply-units/builder-series/builder-series-cx500-v2-80plus-certified-power-supply.html

 

[ilysaml]

Both HD 6950 / GTX 560Ti are great, no issues at all. And the 1 GB version will be perfect for your screen resolution.

But i would suggest you upgrade your PSU to a little higher wattage to run just fine without pushing anything to its limits.
The corsair TX 650W is great
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020&Tpk=TX%20650W

 

[azva]

I'm sure it's great, the only problem is that it costs almost twice as much as the 500 W one. Would 600 W work as well?

I see there are three different gtx 560 ti on the Asus homepage; which would fit me better (and be cheaper)?
http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/NVIDIA_Series/GF_GTX_560_Ti

 

[ilysaml]

500W/600 will work, but the 500W might be a problem if you hook up more fans or more PCI cards, or even overclock your CPU and RAM.

The Asus Direct CU II is great, but it will take 3 slots in your PC, that might be a problem.
Try any of these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127594
And i recommend the MSI Twin Frozer II

 

[azva]

What is the difference between Asus, and the MSI one? When you say 3 slots, you mean?

Stupid questions, I know...

 

[ilysaml]

means that The Graphics card will cover 3 empty spaces in your case, which will block you from adding extra PCI cards.
The Twin Frozer II has great reviews and most of the purchases go for it.
They are all great brands Gigabyte, Asus, MSI, EVGA...but the better cooling goes for MSI TWIN Frozer and the Gigabyte, and i still recommend the MSI.

 

[azva]

Then that's what I'll take. However, I could only find an overclocked one (I think) at the retailer. Is this fine, or is it worse?
http://se.msi.com/product/vga/N560GTX-Ti-Twin-Frozr-II-OC.html#?div=Specification

 

[ilysaml]

Yes that's the one. Good Choice.

 

[azva]

Thanks for the help.

 

[azva]

Hmm, after measuring I see that my current PSU is 150x86x140 (mm), but the 650W PSU is 150x86x160. And it probably won't fit in the case, since it seems to have been made for 140 mm. What do I do?

 

[ilysaml]

what is the 160 ? length or width or depth ? if it's a length or depth it will fit just fine.

 

[azva]

It's the length. Are you sure it'll fit? Right now there's sort of a pin holding the current PSU in place.

 

[ilysaml]

No i'm not sure, you cn just google your case with such similar PSU and see if it fits.

 

[azva]

No info on the case, but I did find a 650W PSU that fits those dimensions. It's a Cooler Master: http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6642

How is the quality on these?

 

[ilysaml]

great for a single card not a CF

 

[azva]

I'll probably only have one single card for quite some time, so I'll try it out.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[ilysaml]

welcome, anytime