Will the GTX 550 Ti Bottleneck my Computer?

[ericchambers2]

My Specs:
4GB DDR3 1333
AMD FX 6300
500 watt PSU

If any, what would hold the system back? Thanks in advance.

*here is the link to the card: http://www.microcenter.com/product/409617/GeForce_GTX_550Ti_1GB_PCI-Express_Video_Card_-_Refurbished
-Eric

 

[Novuake]

A graphics card can not bottleneck a system. But it can be inadequate for gaming, that card is outdated and not good enough anymore.

 

[jitpublisher]

Hold the system back from what? Its a decent all around video card and well suited for the average home user. However, if you are wanting to play modern games, it is not going to run everything on high settings. Entry level card for gaming at best.

 

[ericchambers2]

Thanks for the lightning fast response.

Alright, after looking at benchmarks, I'm thinking I might spend a few more dollars and get the 560 Ti.
What are your thoughts?

*Link to card: http://microcenter.com/product/409620/GeForce_GTX560Ti_1GB_PCI-Express_Video_Card_-_Refurbished

 

[Novuake]

This is the minimum gaming card these days. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127731
If you have a 1080p monitor, then you need the 2 GB version : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127730

Those are both outdated and pointless to be buying now.

 

[jitpublisher]

The 560ti is literally twice as fast for gaming as the 550ti, it was a great video card in its day, (as you can see I am running 2 of them in SLI, and a pair of them in SLI still keeps up with all the very highest high-end video cards today) but it is becoming dated as well. There are newer cards that perform better, and use less power. What is your budget that you can spend on a video card, and do you plan on gaming lightly, occasionally, or all the time?

 

[Thanatos Telos]

The 560ti is more or less equal to the 7850, so games will run on med-high.

 

[Novuake]

The 560ti is more or less equal to the 7850, so games will run on med-high.

Equal for lower resolution. NOT 1080p.

 

[ericchambers2]

I game lightly on the PC and don't mind playing them on medium settings (even low sometimes, lol). It sounds like the 560 Ti is good for the price considering Microcenter has 6 in stock for $100 each. The 7850 is generally more expensive but good for the price (around $180 and up, correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[jitpublisher]

I game lightly on the PC and don't mind playing them on medium settings (even low sometimes, lol). It sounds like the 560 Ti is good for the price considering Microcenter has 6 in stock for $100 each. The 7850 is generally more expensive but good for the price (around $180 and up, correct me if I'm wrong).

That is an agreeable summary. The 560ti is worth $99, and really, it will run the most intensive games on medium settings. If that is your budget, I think you will be quite happy with a 560ti. Much happier than if you got a 550.

 

[ericchambers2]

Alright, it's settled. I go ahead and buy the 560 Ti. Much appreciated!

 

[jnjnilson6]

Hold the system back from what? Its a decent all around video card and well suited for the average home user. However, if you are wanting to play modern games, it is not going to run everything on high settings. Entry level card for gaming at best.

Even my previous video card - Sapphire Radeon HD 6770 beats the GTX 550 Ti in a lot of benchmarks!

Just Cause 2:

http://techgage.com/article/sapphire_radeon_hd_6770_flex_edition_review/4/

Mafia II:

http://techgage.com/article/sapphire_radeon_hd_6770_flex_edition_review/5/

Futuremark 3DMark 11:

http://techgage.com/article/sapphire_radeon_hd_6770_flex_edition_review/8/

The GTX 550 Ti was a medium-end card in 2011, and we shouldn't forget that more than 2 years have passed since its release date. I'd simply say that the 550 Ti has already sung its song as a medium-end card and is a grave for gamers who'd like to keep it for over an year from now.. I am going to add that it's not worth it getting anything worse than Radeon HD 6850 nowadays, because it simply won't be able to keep up in the future.