I think a new GPU would really be good for my prebuilt desktop - any suggestions?
27 replies, posted
I bought my prebuilt desktop about four or five years ago, and it's beginning to be unbearable to play newer games. I had to give up on Just Cause 2, GTA IV is barely acceptable, and with Hitman: Absolution coming up, I really want to be able to play these games properly.
I don't know that much about hardware, but I think a new GPU would really speed up my system (perhaps remove a bottleneck?). Here are my specs:
OS: Vista
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
RAM: 3.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 333MHz
Monitor: SyncMaster (1680x1050@60Hz)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO
PSU: 250 W
So first of all, how much would replacing the GPU mean for my system, especially the ability to play newer games?
And secondly, if I were to get a new GPU, what do you suggest? My budget is around 1500 dkkr ($250) maximum, less is okay too.
I'm doing my best to find my own GPU's, but I have to admit it's all very confusing. So any help is appreciated! Oh, and I'm in Denmark.
[B]UPDATE: Tried getting a 6850, but salesman didn't have it. He suggested 6870 or 7770, but ideally Nvidia 560 (the 6870 and 560 at same price as I thought I had to pay for the 6850). He said the 560 would fit better with my CPU. How does that sound? [/B]
Going to need a new psu, 250w is good for, well nothing. Get a 6850 + new psu and it should put you at about 200.
[QUOTE=QuikKill;37017765]Going to need a new psu, 250w is good for, well nothing. Get a 6850 + new psu and it should put you at about 200.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the advice. Since this will be the first time I upgrade, how easy is it to install a new PSU and GPU? And what do you do with the old stuff?
[QUOTE=Codename 47;37018206]Thanks for the advice. Since this will be the first time I upgrade, how easy is it to install a new PSU and GPU? And what do you do with the old stuff?[/QUOTE]
GPU is really easy (click).
PSU is a bit harder, the wire's only go in in one place though so nothing to worry about.
Psu is worth nothing and neither is the GPU so I guess throw them away.
Thanks. And that 6850 will do the job?
Yea it's a pretty good card for the price.
Codename, prepare to have your mind blown ;) Your new PC will kick ass <3
[QUOTE=Codename 47;37018206]Thanks for the advice. Since this will be the first time I upgrade, how easy is it to install a new PSU and GPU? And what do you do with the old stuff?[/QUOTE]
Installing a PSU is as simple as unscrewing and sliding out the old one, then sliding in the new one and re-screwing it into place. I thought it was going to be a much harder task as well.
[QUOTE=FFStudios;37024691]Installing a PSU is as simple as unscrewing and sliding out the old one, then sliding in the new one and re-screwing it into place. I thought it was going to be a much harder task as well.[/QUOTE]
Like everyone has said, installing a PSU isn't hard, per se, but it is fiddly and a bit frustrating. Getting all the wires into their respective slots in a neat manner is a bit of a task, but it isn't difficult. Just prepare for lots of sore fingers and a lot of irritation :p
What make is your computer?
A few manufactures use proprietary PSUs that are a different size than standard.
Thanks for all the help!
My computer is made by Acer, but I'm going to go to my local computer-nerd-who-made-a-shop and take some advice from him. I hope all goes well!
Also, one last bit of advice is that everything can only go in one spot, in one way. When they designed places for power connectors and such, they made it really easy for the consumer to assemble themselves. It's reeeeallly hard to mess it up. Everything is labeled as well (albeit somewhat tiny).
Thanks!
UPDATE: Tried getting a 6850, but salesman didn't have it. He suggested 6870 or 7770, but ideally Nvidia 560 (the 6870 and 560 at same price as I thought I had to pay for the 6850). He said the 560 would fit better with my CPU. How does that sound?
I'd never get a regular 560, I'd only get the TI version. I'd get the 6870.
Don't get a 560ti, get a 7850. Better card at a slightly lower price point.
[QUOTE=Evilan;37142570]Don't get a 560ti, get a 7850. Better card at a slightly lower price point.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Zerokateo;37139019]I'd never get a regular 560, I'd only get the TI version. I'd get the 6870.[/QUOTE]
Could you elaborate? I'm planning on getting the common 560 (no Ti), and this review says it's pretty good:
[url]http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-560-amp-edition-gtx-560-directcu-ii-top,2944-17.html[/url]
Around as good as the 6870, but I think I can get the 560 cheaper.
The 560 and 6870 on pretty on par: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/540?vs=543[/url]
What are the prices?
560: $178
6870: $211
... if I heard him right.
[editline]9th August 2012[/editline]
Also, what is this about the 560 fitting better with my Intel 2 Quad Q6600?
They are both like 160-180 on newegg, so either you heard him wrong, or he is upcharging 30 bucks.
They're both 178 I found out - so the 560?
I think he thinks that amd/ati cards work better with amd cpus and the nvidia ones work better with intel, Theres not really that much of a difference beside driver software
The 560 is better actually: [url]http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/543?vs=539[/url]
Sweet! Bought it.
Herp, ignore my advice through my pm. I'm dumb.
Yea i always thought the 560 was useless too.
Well, I got it and installed it, and everything is running absolutely amazing. Thanks for all the help, guys, you've been amazing and completely indispensable!
[QUOTE=Codename 47;37148362]Could you elaborate? I'm planning on getting the common 560 (no Ti), and this review says it's pretty good:[/QUOTE]
I was just trying to interject about the 560ti statement. But grats on getting a new gpu.
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