Graphics card upgrade time, suggestions appreciated. - Hardware & Software

So since my PC is turning 4 in a couple months, and with the onset of a new console generation meaning new, higher-spec console ports, I feel it's time to give it a present in the form of a new graphics card. Mostly because the old one is starting to show it's age, and I'd like some suggestions/help on what'd be decent, since I've quite fallen behind on what's what in the hardware world. Current card is a AMD Radeon HD 6800 with one gig of RAM, which... Well, it runs fine for now. Could be better, but it's okay. I'd probably prefer the next one to be a Nvidia card, since I feel there's a lot of shit I'm missing by running AMD, mainly good drivers and that fucking PhysX bullshit. I'd like the new one to have at least 3, preferably 4 gigs of video RAM, just because more RAM is best RAM. Since this is probably the last upgrade this motherboard'll get before I get a new one, is there any considerations to take into account when carrying the card over from this to next, in the form of pinset/connectors/whatever it's called? Also, would I need to upgrade my PSU too? Current one is only 550W, and it's running a [URL="http://i.imgur.com/0btaOlI.png"]middle of road, slightly overclocked rig[/URL] with 16 gigs of ram and two HDDs, so would a more powerful graphics card be too much? Should I just say fuck it and get like, a 650-750 one to carry over to next build? Things I've been considering is something in the ballpark of a GTX 760. Is MSI a decent brand? They seem to be the cheapest in graphics cards, at least around my parts.

The important thing is that it will be Nvidia, your choice which type (it depends a lot by your available budget).

[QUOTE=dodo08;42640399]The important thing is that it will be Nvidia, your choice which type (it depends a lot by your available budget).[/QUOTE] Right, looking at prices, seems like the 760 gets me the most bang for my buck, at least if I want the 4 gigs of ram too (which I do), since the price-jump around my parts from 760 to 770 is about 50%, and the performance only in the region of 10% or less.

[QUOTE=Riller;42640633]Right, looking at prices, seems like the 760 gets me the most bang for my buck, at least if I want the 4 gigs of ram too (which I do), since the price-jump around my parts from 760 to 770 is about 50%, and the performance only in the region of 10% or less.[/QUOTE] I recently took 760 for this reason. For now is the best deal considering price and performance. I personally feel good with this card. You won't have any regret.

[QUOTE=Riller;42640633]Right, looking at prices, seems like the 760 gets me the most bang for my buck, at least if I want the 4 gigs of ram too (which I do), since the price-jump around my parts from 760 to 770 is about 50%, and the performance only in the region of 10% or less.[/QUOTE] The most bang for your bang presently is the R9 280X. It's $50 more than the 2 GB 760 and outperforms the 770. Don't go for a card just because it has Nvidia behind it. Both companies have just as many driver problems, so there is no point in being partial to one or the other unless you have some need for CUDA, PhysX, or Eyefinity and you don't. This being said the 760 is a good choice; although, 4 GB is unnecessary especially if you are only using one monitor. The performance increase you get from the R9 280X will outweigh the loss of VRAM.

[QUOTE=flayne;42641995]The most bang for your bang presently is the R9 280X. It's $50 more than the 2 GB 760 and outperforms the 770. Don't go for a card just because it has Nvidia behind it. Both companies have just as many driver problems, so there is no point in being partial to one or the other unless you have some need for CUDA, PhysX, or Eyefinity and you don't. This being said the 760 is a good choice; although, 4 GB is unnecessary especially if you are only using one monitor. The performance increase you get from the R9 280X will outweigh the loss of VRAM.[/QUOTE] By the time you'll need the fourth gigabyte of vram in a game, both cards will be outdated anyway

For price to performance there's no beating AMD currently. Unless your a fanboy and just need to have PhysX at this time AMD with the way to go.

Right, ordered a 760, since it was significantly cheaper than other high-ish end options. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. [QUOTE=StonedPenguin;42646663]For price to performance there's no beating AMD currently. Unless your a fanboy and just need to have PhysX at this time AMD with the way to go.[/QUOTE] Raw performance, yes, but so many games are either optimized for Nvidia or have Nvidia-only graphics features. I've had an AMD until now, and it's been a good card so far; but having it crap out when playing even older or low-req games like Borderlands 2 or Mirror's Edge because of the lack of proper PhysX support just got too annoying after a while.