Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

Best upgrade for this build?

Tags:
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Share
October 8, 2013 3:44:10 AM

Howdy,

My system is starting to struggle a bit with newer games and I need to pick what to upgrade. I basically see two options; I can either put a new motherboard in and try and buy a second GTX 560 and run SLI or just upgrade my graphics to a newer model.
I would prefer to run with SLI since I would like to set up a multi monitor display in the future, but would the 560's in SLI be worth it or would I not get enough of a boost out of going this way?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions! My build is below:

Best regards,

Xerat

Operating System
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 965 32 °C
Deneb 45nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 803MHz (11-11-11-28)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4A88TD-M (AM3) 29 °C
Graphics
VS248 (1920x1080@60Hz)
1024MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti (ASUStek Computer Inc) 27 °C
Hard Drives
112GB INTEL SSDSC2CT120A3 ATA Device (SSD)
932GB Seagate ST31000528AS ATA Device (SATA) 22 °C
149GB Seagate ST3160812A ATA Device (ATA) 21 °C
Optical Drives
LITE-ON DVDRW LH-18A1P ATA Device
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio


More about : upgrade build

October 8, 2013 4:01:10 AM

What is your maximum budget?
Exactly which power supply is installed?
If the CPU is a BE (unlocked) one adding a better cooler and overclocking it is something I suggest you look into, most current games are fully utilising quads and older games will benefit from the increased speed as well.
Have a look here:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-revi...
For a decent single card upgrade you'll be looking at the GTX760/HD7950 class of card with the GTX770/HD7970 as maximum.
Read the SLI sticky at the top of the Forum, it's an old article now but most of the basic information is still valid-take particular note of the memory sections.
m
0
l
October 8, 2013 4:21:57 AM

The power supply is:
Antec EA-750 750W EarthWatts ATX Power Supply, 80 PLUS certified , 135mm low noise cooling fan, 4x +12V outputs, 4 x PCI-Express, 9 x SATA

It is about 3 years old.

Budget wise Im probably looking at $220 for a second 560ti and $150 for a sli compatible motherboard so about $400 total
m
0
l

Best solution

October 8, 2013 4:55:46 AM

Downside of going SLI is the limited VRAM, 1Gb is really not going to cut it at 1080 res with high settings and will choke if you apply AA with dual monitors.
Both the HD7970 GHz edition and GTX770 can be found for under $400 easily enough in the US and I think one of those would be your best option although with the release of AMDs 'new' cards today I'd suggest you hold off for a few weeks to let the prices realign before heading to the checkout.
Share
!