Upgrading from GeForce GT 630 2GB

[skywood]

Hi guys, I'm upgrading from my current gpu ; Geforce GT 630 2GB.
I am looking to play games with my upgrade so I'd like something with good performance that can play games like skyrim/saints row 3 on high at a 1366x768 resolution.
I would like my budget to be no more than £60 also.
I've been using the GPU list for December 2012 as a Guide, but I'm struggling to make a decision.
I found a deal for a used Geforce 9800 GX2 at £55, Is this too good to be true, likely to be damaged? If you do think it's underpriced or think there is something better for me, don't hesitate to contribute. Thanks. Finally, I would prefer it if the GPU has a VGA socket but it isn't problem if it hasn't as I could buy an adapter.
Link to Card http://uk.webuy.com/search/index.php?rad_which_stock=1&stext=9800+GX2&section=all


Specs:

Operating System
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit SP2
CPU ( Upgrading to a Q9550 @ 2.83GHz)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2.40GHz
Conroe 65nm Technology
RAM
4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 1271MHz (6-8-8-31)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5N-D (Socket 775)
Graphics
BenQ G950A (1366x768@60Hz)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 630
Hard Drives
466GB SAMSUNG HD502HJ SCSI Disk Device (ATA)
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223F SCSI CdRom Device

 

[Xttony]

Pickup a HD 5970 cheap on eBay . I'll probably be used but you'll be getting a wonderful card. It is much better than 9800 too.

 

[skywood]

I don't need a gpu that expensive, It wants to be £60 like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 285 1GB
DX10 : http://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=SGRAHGD68A1

This is a comparison http://www.hwcompare.com/7402/geforce-gt-440-3gb-vs-geforce-gtx-285-1gb/
As you can see I think this would be a good upgrade anyway, I just want somebody to tell me why to get a card not just get that card.

 

[Xttony]

I think Ati is a better option than nVidia (not talking about AMD). The card you mentioned above is good, just check if your card can provide the extra 150watt required for GTX 285. If you are satisfied with it then it's ok.

 

[skywood]

Do you think a Radeon HD 7750 would be a good choice? http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B00761YFPW/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
I also found a GeForce GTS 450 could this be a good option ? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Palit-GeForce-Edition-Graphics-Express/dp/B007ZZTP36/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356589323&sr=1-1

So far I'm leaning to the GTS

 

[Xttony]

Both are good cards but as HD 7750 is a newer card it uses a better architecture and has better features, like better frame rates, low power usage, low temperatures. In short it is more powerful if you can pull up your budget to £75 then it'll be a very good option.

 

[mohit9206]

7750 is hands down the best and cheapest card that will play all games on high at your resolution . also consumes much much less power than 9800gx2 or gts 450 or gtx 285. dont bother with such outdated and power hungry cards. just get a 7750 or 7770 whatever is in your budget

 

[skywood]

ok... If I can some how persuade my parents to buy this HD 7770 http://www.amazon.co.uk/VTX3D-X-Edition-Graphics-Eyefinity-Technology/dp/B00A3859M8/ref=sr_1_18?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356618598&sr=1-18

Would this be my best option? 2nd best HD 7750?

And also would this card run on my mobo? (soz for newbie question, haven't used AMD before)

 

[mohit9206]

no dont get that 7770 coz there are much better brands available like sapphire, asus, xfx, msi etc. yes it will work on your mobo provided it has a 6 pin pcie connector

 

[skywood]

So... you're saying get a good brand? Man, I'm already past my budget, If I cannot get a well known brand should I settle for a Sapphire HD 7750?

I'll just have to donate a tenner to help 😉 otherwise, are you suggesting I go for this? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-Radeon-HD7770-Graphics-GDDR5/dp/B00776DHXW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[Xttony]

Get this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-Radeon-HD7770-Graphics-GDDR5/dp/B00761YFGQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356655816&sr=1-1

Or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-Radeon-HD7770-Graphics-GDDR5/dp/tech-data/B00776DHXW/ref=de_a_smtd (cheaper and factory overclocked)

Or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-Vapor-X-Radeon-Graphics-DisplayPort/dp/B007R9NSK6/ref=sr_1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356655816&sr=1-7 (vapour x sports better cooling and slightly better speed than the oc card)

Not a huge price difference

If you are not planning to upgrade your moniter then hd 7750 is fine but HD 7770 is always a better option

 

[skywood]

yea my original budget was £60 XD so I'll go for the £94 version OC'd http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-Radeon-HD7770-Graphics-GDDR5/dp/B00776DHXW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[skywood]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-101-GI
Good Deal at £92 + FC3? LOL

 

[PlanetaryPenguin321]

If your stuck on the £60 budget I would go for a standard GTX 650. If you were looking at 285 then I can guarantee a 650 will work with your PSU. Just be sure you have enough room in your case. Its short horizontally but tall vertically. Almost like a brick.

 

[Xttony]

That is a good deal go for it.

 

[skywood]

Ok seems like I'm going for the HD 7770, thanks for the help guys 😉

 

[skywood]

As a side note, should I see a good performance boost upgrading from a E6600 @ 2.4 Ghz to a Q9550 @ 2.83? Add as much info as possible please 😉

Thanks again,

 

[Xttony]

You'll definitely see a performance boost in processing but a slight performance boost in games. In games like skyrim you'll see a moderate performance boost

 

[skywood]

Thanks Again 😉

 

[skywood]

Good Deal? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-188-MS
XD

MSI GTX 650 £80

Good choice vs HD 7770 £92+?

 

[Xttony]

See the benchmarks for your self http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/541?vs=536 also notice the card used to compare the AMD card is a nVidia GTX 550 TI and not a GTX 550. TI series cards are a little bit faster than the normal cards. So it kinda is better to go for a HD 7770.

 

[skywood]

I was wondering if i should go for the 650 GTX because of the physx capabilities?

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/681?vs=536

 

[Xttony]

Since you have already used a nVidia card before you probably have seen physx at work but when you'll use the AMD card you'll not find any significant difference.

 

[skywood]

Just looked up and I forgot I can just offload physx to my cpu, and since I'm upgrading that to a quad core, I shouldn't lose any performance, I guess I'll stick with the HD 7770 Thanks.

 

[skywood]

Ok guys, final question. I've decided to use a 1080p monitor. Will the HD 7770 still run games on max settings at this resolution?

As a side note, my Q9550 came the other day, and the difference it has made is astonishing! 😉