looking for potential upgrade

Eternal cookie · Jul 28, 2014

Hey guys,

I want to upgrade my computer for better graphics in gaming but i dont know which part i should upgrade.

i'm using 2 monitors:
main: 1920 x 1080p for gaming
secondary: 1680 x 1050 for skype etc.
also got my tv connected for mirroring my main for watching movies.

my rig:

MSI MS-7758
Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (4 CPUs) standard cooler
8gb 1600 RAM
GTX 660 2GB
700 watt power supply

Any advice would be welcome

DeadGraphics · Jul 28, 2014

What is your budget and what is the brand of your Power Supply?

Ytyoussef · Jul 28, 2014

If your PSU can handle it, definitely a graphics card upgrade. What is your budget?

Eternal cookie · Jul 28, 2014

my power supply is a Sharkoon wpm600 ( srry thought it was 700 watt)
my budget is about 350 euro's but a cheaper solution to a noticible performance increase is also welcome.

Ytyoussef · Jul 28, 2014

The power supply you have is decent, so you can go for either an r9 280x or 770 with your budget. They go for about 260-270 euros. An r9 290 is about 350 so it would also fit in your budget and it is a step up from those two graphics cards

AnthonyStew · Jul 28, 2014

I definitely recommend an R9 280-280x-or R9 290, as well as the GTX 760 or 770. The thing about these GPU upgrades is that they require a pretty large power supply. All of the R9 280+ Gen series require a 750w power supply with 2 PCIE connectors. Also, if you go with a AMD R9 200x series GPU, buy a sapphire or xfx version because they have the best and most reliable fans and cooling kits. The AMD R 200 series cards run hot. A new GPU will draw a lot of performance from a great rig like the i5 build you have.

Ytyoussef · Jul 28, 2014

They don't require a 750w psu, 600w is enough.

AnthonyStew · Jul 28, 2014

They don't require, however they recommend it. Depending on your system and its power draw, you could "potentially" run into issues. I also recommend the buyer the safer option, instead of what may work.

Eternal cookie · Jul 28, 2014

i really cant run these upgrades with my current psu?

Ytyoussef · Jul 28, 2014

You can.

AnthonyStew · Jul 28, 2014

Well you "could". What I am getting at is, unless you know the power draw of your rig, and the power output of your psu, I personally wouldn't recommend you try to run it with a 600w. The other thing you need to keep in mind is that, the GPUs require 2 PCIE connectors, your 600w may or may not have that. I'd be safe and get a 750w if you are getting a new GPU that recommends it. They recommend it for a reason.

Ytyoussef · Jul 28, 2014

It does have the required connectors, it has an 8 pin and a 6 pin connector. The system would consume about 450W on max load with an r9 290, giving you 150w headroom.

Eternal cookie · Jul 28, 2014

would a Cooler Master G750M suffice? i also have an SSD and a HDD

another question would you guys reccomend a diffirent cooler for my cpu than the standard one?

AnthonyStew · Jul 28, 2014

intel I5s don't really run hot under load but if you concerned about and don't have 2-3 internal 120mm fans in your case, I'd recommend the Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO. It is less than 40 dollars and is reliable and highly rated cooler for its price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

It is a pretty big heatsink and fan, so make you can fit it inside and have extra ram slots available. For some mobos it covers RAM slots.

As long as the G750M has the PCIE connectors you need, you are good to go. Cooler master makes good PSUs.

Eternal cookie · Jul 28, 2014

nice, i think ill go for the gtx 770 since i've allways had nvidia gefrorce products
i would like to first run it on my current psu
how can i know if it doesnt deliver enough power for its full potential?

Ytyoussef · Jul 28, 2014

I would recommend you get something like a Hyper 212 Evo, as you have an unlocked processor, which means that you can overclock. As for the PSU, don't get that PSU, it's not great, you should be fine with your PSU. Even though sharkoon PSUs are usually very bad, this one seems to be quite a bit better: http://www.hardwareheaven.com/2012/04/sharkoon-wpm-600w-power-supply-review/ . If you are looking for a new PSU, get an XFX 650w PSU for example, you don't need 750W.

AnthonyStew · Jul 28, 2014

Eternal cookie :

Your games will crash, your fans will crank to 100% and shut off, and you will get black screens. Those are the top signs. GTX 770 is a great card. Good luck

Eternal cookie · Jul 28, 2014

allright, any silent alternatives to a cpu cooler?

AnthonyStew · Jul 28, 2014

Eternal cookie :

I cannot even hear my Hyper 212 EVO under full load. It is pretty silent. It is the best CPU cooler fan you can get for its price. Anything on par with it is probably 80-90 dollars.

Ytyoussef · Jul 28, 2014

The Hyper 212 Evo is not loud, but if by silent you mean completely silent, you need a passive cooler, something like a Prolimatech Black Megahalems which is much more expensive.

Eternal cookie · Jul 28, 2014

Allright i think ill go for the 212 Evo then, its 32,99 euros's at my local tech store. And i'll probably wait a little longer with buying a gtx 770, just for the prices to drop.

i really want to thank all you guys for the reccomendations and tips!

Ytyoussef · Jul 28, 2014

Where do you live? I might find a good deal for a graphics card in your country.

looking for potential upgrade

Honorable

Reputable

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Share this page