GPU Upgrade Required?

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Ben Keenan

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Apr 2, 2013
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Been running my i5-750 for a while now, but noticing gaming performance isn't keeping up like it used to. I'm using a gtx275, is it possible I'd get better performance from updating the GPU, or am I going to be bottlenecked by the processor?
And if an upgrade is needed, what would you recommend? I'm looking at likely either the EVGA gtx660ti FTW 3gb or ASUS HD7950 (which would come with Far Cry 3, Sleeping Dogs and Hitman Absolution). Both are about the same price.
Or would it be best to get another gtx275 for SLI (I have a 650W psu), or just scrap the entire build and start over?
 
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DarkSable
Hmm, I'd go with a 7870XT.

It's about the same price as a normal 7870, so there's less cost there, but performs similarly to a 7950, because it's a disabled Tahiti core.

It also outperforms the 660ti in 90% of tests, will get you high settings on most games at 1080p, and shouldn't be bottlenecked by your i5, which is starting to show its age.
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Sep 27, 2012
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Hmm, I'd go with a 7870XT.

It's about the same price as a normal 7870, so there's less cost there, but performs similarly to a 7950, because it's a disabled Tahiti core.

It also outperforms the 660ti in 90% of tests, will get you high settings on most games at 1080p, and shouldn't be bottlenecked by your i5, which is starting to show its age.
 
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Deleted member 217926

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If your processor is overclocked it will easily support an HD 7950/GTX 660 Ti level card. That was a great CPU and although a little dated if you can get it to 3.6-4Ghz it would still be a strong performer. The GTX 275 needs replacing for any of the most modern games. The HD 7950 with the 3 games is a hard deal to beat.
 
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Ben Keenan

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Apr 2, 2013
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The non-xt version is $100 less than the other cards I'm looking at, the 7870xt is about the same price as the 660ti 3GB or 7950 with games. So it'd be better to go with the 7950, or 7950 with cpu upgrade (I don't have sufficient cooling for decent overclocking)
 
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Deleted member 217926

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You could add a CPU cooler like the Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo for $30.

Personally if I was looking at a complete system overhaul I would wait until June when Haswell is released. The CPU upgrade will of course have to include a new motherboard and probably RAM since you likely have old 1.65v 1st gen DDR3 and you would need newer 1.5v for a Sandy or Ivy Bridge upgrade.

If you have the need and the money an upgrade to Ivy would be a large step up. Waiting until June and Haswell would increase that step up in the 10% and up clock for clock range.
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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If they're roughly the same price, go with the 7950, then - you can save up a little bit to overclock down the road; it's a much easier upgrade than deciding to go from a 660ti to a 7950.
 
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Ben Keenan

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Apr 2, 2013
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Actually, scratch that. Found a 7870xt pretty cheap, so the 7950 with games isn't as good a deal (Far Cry is the only one I'd buy standalone anyway). I can get the Sapphire 7870xt, Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo and have a decent chunk of money left over for the cost of the ASUS 7950, plus I'd be able to OC to 7950 levels anyway.
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=1589938

Anyone know what Sapphire's warranties are like? And would it be better to get a second card for crossfire when I upgrade CPU, or shell out a bit more now for a 7970 (or jump over to a gtx670 or 680)?
 
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Deleted member 217926

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Sapphire is one of the better AMD card manufacturers. Never used their cards but I have only heard good things.

You are always better with a single more powerful GPU over Crossfire or Sli. Not all games support multiple GPUs and there is always micro stuttering.

HD 7950 < GTX 670 < HD 7970 < GTX 680 < HD 7970 Ghz Ed.
 
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Ben Keenan

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Apr 2, 2013
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The gtx 670 is another ~$200 over the 7870xt for me, so the fact I could overclock the 7870xt to 7950 speeds means it's probably the best deal on that price-performance curve.
Unless there's anything I've missed? Here's a list of cards on my list: http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?k=v1977&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms#rparams=l=s121103067
 
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Deleted member 217926

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Get the best you can afford. The 7870XT overclocks well but so does the HD 7950 and pretty much all current AMD cards. This generation of Nvidia cards.....not so much.
 
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Ben Keenan

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Apr 2, 2013
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And finally, one more question - psu. I know 550w is about standard for most modern systems of this sort of configuration, but the older i5 could draw a lot more power, especially when overclocked. So would my 650W be sufficient, or is that something I should look into upgrading too?
 
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Deleted member 217926

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The i5 750 is a 95w TDP processor just like my 2600K. It's no power hog especially not to the point of upgrading your power supply. You are more than fine with a 650w power supply at least assuming it's a decent model. If it's not a quality unit it could very well be rated 650 watts and only be capable of producing 400 watts. Make and model?
 
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Deleted member 217926

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That's tough. It's one of those no name junk brands. It says it is 80 Plus certified and it lists both regulation as well as ripple and noise though. Those numbers are not great but they are within what is allowed. The question is, are those numbers correct and since no reputable site has reviewed that model there is no way to know. It could well be fine or just as likely it might be a firecracker waiting to happen.

My best advice is to replace it. I know you don't want to hear more money but cheap power supplies can die and take your whole system with them. Get a quality unit from Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power and Cooling, XFX, Silverstone, Enermax, OCZ, Antec or one of the higher efficiency Rosewill models.

I can not in good conscience recommend upgrading your graphics card while keeping that power supply.
 
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Deleted member 217926

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Ok it's a Sirtec ( more common name for High Power here in the US ) and not a no name brand. However Sirtec is hit or miss. More miss than hit to be honest at least when sold under their own name. They make power supplies for a bunch of other companies as well and some of them are pretty good. But when they are the OEM for another company they use the other companies specs and designs and they just build it. I'm still not really comfortable recommending it. To be honest it's probably OK. I am just overcautious when it comes to power supplies. They are the single most important part of a computer.
 
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