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Best option for updating my Graphics card, help needed

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  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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July 5, 2013 3:49:02 AM

Hey guys,
Recently I have been unable to play any of my favourite games as of FPS lag. At the moment my computer is pretty bad which explains the FPS lag.

I thought the best option would be to upgrade my graphics card as I don't have enough money to buy a complete new pc unfortunately. I want to be able to play most modern games on as high settings as possible without lagging so I have chosen to buy a good card. Which is the AMD Radeon 7870.

Is this the best option with my current specs?

Current Specs:
Motherboard - gigabyte G31M-S2L
RAM - 4GB DDR2
Graphics Card - Nvida Geforce 9600gt
Power supply -510watts
Processor - Intel Q6600 Core2 Quad 2.4GHz

I have looked about and found out that even though I have a old motherboard the graphics card will still work with it right? Also will this actually fix my problem just getting a new graphics card?

More about : option updating graphics card needed

July 5, 2013 3:54:29 AM

What is your maximum price that you want to pay for a new graphics card? And a 7870 is good, and if you have the bit of extra money. You should get the 7870 with the Tahiti LE chip.
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July 5, 2013 4:01:48 AM

michiel6661 said:
What is your maximum price that you want to pay for a new graphics card? And a 7870 is good, and if you have the bit of extra money. You should get the 7870 with the Tahiti LE chip.


Looking at spending around £150 max but may save up more if they aren't much more and will definitely fix my problem?
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July 5, 2013 4:03:48 AM

GMeek said:
Hey guys,
Recently I have been unable to play any of my favourite games as of FPS lag. At the moment my computer is pretty bad which explains the FPS lag.

I thought the best option would be to upgrade my graphics card as I don't have enough money to buy a complete new pc unfortunately. I want to be able to play most modern games on as high settings as possible without lagging so I have chosen to buy a good card. Which is the AMD Radeon 7870.

Is this the best option with my current specs?

Current Specs:
Motherboard - gigabyte G31M-S2L
RAM - 4GB DDR2
Graphics Card - Nvida Geforce 9600gt
Power supply -510watts
Processor - Intel Q6600 Core2 Quad 2.4GHz

I have looked about and found out that even though I have a old motherboard the graphics card will still work with it right? Also will this actually fix my problem just getting a new graphics card?


Well firstly yes a new card will work fine in your mobo. However, your limited by your system in what you should upgrade.

I have a similar setup with a q6600 + a GTX560ti. It's a great balanced match, and the card isn't bottlenecked by the CPU. My q6600 is at 3ghz though. At it's stock speed (2.4ghz) for the q6600 you will most likely bottleneck a 7870. It is definitely a good card, that's for sure. But because you have a G31 mobo, and can't overclock your CPU, I wouldn't recommend it. The CPU will hold back the GPU from full performance (but it may not be that much of a bottleneck.)

Something along the lines of a 650ti Boost/GTX660 /AMD 7850 would be a better balanced match with your system.
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July 5, 2013 4:19:23 AM

Quote:
Well firstly yes a new card will work fine in your mobo. However, your limited by your system in what you should upgrade.

I have a similar setup with a q6600 + a GTX560ti. It's a great balanced match, and the card isn't bottlenecked by the CPU. My q6600 is at 3ghz though. At it's stock speed (2.4ghz) for the q6600 you will most likely bottleneck a 7870. It is definitely a good card, that's for sure. But because you have a G31 mobo, and can't overclock your CPU, I wouldn't recommend it. The CPU will hold back the GPU from full performance (but it may not be that much of a bottleneck.)

Something along the lines of a 650ti Boost/GTX660 /AMD 7850 would be a better balanced match with your system.


Thanks a lot for the help.
So with those cards you reckon I could handle day-z without lag?

Also if I stick with my first idea of getting the 7870 and then upgrading other things like mobo and CPU later down the line if I don't leave it too long you think that would be ok?
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July 5, 2013 5:14:28 AM

GMeek said:
Quote:
Well firstly yes a new card will work fine in your mobo. However, your limited by your system in what you should upgrade.

I have a similar setup with a q6600 + a GTX560ti. It's a great balanced match, and the card isn't bottlenecked by the CPU. My q6600 is at 3ghz though. At it's stock speed (2.4ghz) for the q6600 you will most likely bottleneck a 7870. It is definitely a good card, that's for sure. But because you have a G31 mobo, and can't overclock your CPU, I wouldn't recommend it. The CPU will hold back the GPU from full performance (but it may not be that much of a bottleneck.)

Something along the lines of a 650ti Boost/GTX660 /AMD 7850 would be a better balanced match with your system.


Thanks a lot for the help.
So with those cards you reckon I could handle day-z without lag?

Also if I stick with my first idea of getting the 7870 and then upgrading other things like mobo and CPU later down the line if I don't leave it too long you think that would be ok?


Judging by the specs of Dayz, your system would surpass the recommended specs. With any of the aforementioned cards, you will have good smooth gameplay, depending on what resolution you game at.

Yes, that is a good option too. If you get the 7870 you will have a minor bottleneck, and if you plan on upgrading CPU/Mobo/Ram soon, then getting the 7870 will give you a good basis to upgrade from. The 7870 s a great card, and is good for gaming above 1080p+ with good fps.
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July 5, 2013 5:22:53 AM

michiel6661 said:
What is your maximum price that you want to pay for a new graphics card? And a 7870 is good, and if you have the bit of extra money. You should get the 7870 with the Tahiti LE chip.


If he is willing to spend a little extra money, he might as well get a gtx 760 oc'ed
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July 5, 2013 5:23:27 AM

check my system's config in my signature. :) 
Only thing you are missing is DDR3 and 7750 (which is very cheap).

And I played Max Payne 3, blood dragon etc. at very good settings

EDIT: Nevermind, checked your Mobo, your options are limited.
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July 5, 2013 7:33:56 AM

shishodia said:
check my system's config in my signature. :) 
Only thing you are missing is DDR3 and 7750 (which is very cheap).

And I played Max Payne 3, blood dragon etc. at very good settings

EDIT: Nevermind, checked your Mobo, your options are limited.


I know can't get DDR3 on my mobo just going to stick with what I said earlier, get the 7870 and then upgrade other things in a month or so.
Thanks anyway!

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