Looking for recommendations on a video card upgrade

adambean

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Mar 8, 2010
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Hey all,

Really wanted to build a new machine, but just not in the budget. I'm thinking at this time though, that I should at least update my video card.

Here is my current setup, I mean, everything else is still pretty solid yeah? I don't see any bottle necks on any other pieces of the hardware, but figured I'd ask.

Mobo - ASUS Crosshair IV: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131644

Memory - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

HDD - G.SKILL Phoenix Pro Series FM-25S2S-120GBP2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231378

CPU - AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849

GPU - XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476

Based on this list (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html), I was thinking go with the HD7790? I'd like to stay around $100 or so; however if a bit more is worth it to make it another year or so, by all means. What I'm a bit confused on is, can I use an nVidia card? I think so right, just that I can't use dual cards?

Any advice?

Thanks
 

animal

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If you are only using one GPU, your motherboard will support either AMD or nVIDIA. However, you are correct about multi-card set-ups on your motherboard, you can CrossFire AMD GPUs, but you cannot SLI multiple nVIDIA GPUs.

Just look at the Tom's hierarchy chart and see what is the best you can afford from both manufacturers and then research which card performs best in the games you play (or want to play).
 

adambean

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I'm starting to think the R9270 is going to be my best bet; however is the extra $$ really worth it for the R9270X? Regardless, they appear to be difficult to find at their MSRP!
 

jb6684

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You don't have enough in your budget for a new GPU........ ($100)

A 5870 is a decent card, $400--$450 when new. I'd get a R9 280X for a worth while upgrade, it's about twice as fast.

For $100, I'd increase your system RAM to 8Gb or 12Gb total..... (you MUST have Windows 7 64-bit version or any new RAM will Not be usable at all...)
 

adambean

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Thanks animal.

jb - Yeah, I quickly realized $100 isn't really realistic. I do have 8gb of memory as well. Yep, I paid $400 for that card back in November of 2010. The 280 appears to be more than twice the cost of the 270? I am thinking ideally stay around the $200 mark ... I don't play enough PC games overall to really warrant a $400 price tag.
 

adambean

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The R9 270X isn't worth it in comparison to what I have now? Again, not a huge PC gamer these days. Fact is, for the most part I play SC2/D3 when I do sit at my PC and they do lag a bit here and there ... nothing horrible, I'm fine as is, just thought it might be nice to bump it up a tad.