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Graphics Card for my System? - MMO player - under $200 - Can my system handle it?

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  • Graphics Cards
  • World Of Warcraft
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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September 25, 2014 3:16:17 PM

I'd like to upgrade my graphics card so I can up the graphic settings when I play Archeage... my current entertainment. My system is a tad old, built in 2004 for WoW and it is dated. I was looking at a Radeon R9 270 or a Radeon HD 7850 but I suspect that my MoBo and CPU can't handle it.

I run:

ASUS P5N-D with Intel Dual 2 Core E8500 @ 3.16GHz - Has PCIe 2 slot (to save looking it up!)
2x 3Gig and 2x1Gig Ram installed
240G Kingston SSD
550W Power Supply

I currently use a Gforce 9800GTX. It actually does ok. I run in "normal" graphic mode. I would prefer to kick it up to "high" if I could. I get about 30FPS right now. I really just want to upgrade to get the pretty pictures =)

I'd like to budget $200 for it. However, can I even do an improvement on this system or do I need to get a new MoBo and CPU as well?

I am illiterate when it comes to hardware. I have no problem removing and installing stuff, but I haven't kept up with hardware changes in years and things have run past me!

Any help is appreciated!

More about : graphics card system mmo player 200 system handle

a b U Graphics card
September 25, 2014 3:19:25 PM

Your system could handle it... but i would think your CPU is going to bottleneck the GPU.

What is it you are looking to do with the system that you need to upgrade?
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a c 91 U Graphics card
September 25, 2014 3:22:51 PM

Ahh, I remember my old 9800 GT, it was a really surprisingly good card for how old it was.

I would go with an Nvidia card, as they're going to stress your power supply a LOT less than AMD will. If you could spend $330, you'd be able to afford the new GTX 970, which will play everything on very high / ultra settings with ease; you'll be blown away, and it would work fine with your power supply as long as it's decently reliable.

Failing that, you have the GTX 760 for about $250, which actually draws a fair bit more power than the 970, or the 750ti for about $150, which is based off the same Maxwell chip as the 970, so gives great performance and doesn't even need a power connector - it draws everything from the PCIe slot.

The reason I suggest those three cards is because, especially since you don't list a brand name and model for your card, I'm guessing that it's easily the most weak spot in your system... and Nvidia cards are far, far more power efficient options right now.
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a b U Graphics card
September 25, 2014 3:32:34 PM

Be careful. I am reading that some people are making the CPU with a GTX 650Ti. I think that your CPU is going to be the bottleneck that you need to worry about.
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September 25, 2014 3:34:27 PM

Thanks for the help. My current card is am EVGA. It has been a trooper but I think it is time to install it in the kids computer and upgrade mine =)

I'll review the three cards you listed and make a decision.

Thanks again everyone!
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a c 91 U Graphics card
September 25, 2014 3:34:29 PM

^ Are making the CPU... bottleneck with a 650ti?

I find that pretty unlikely, but it could be so. Where are you getting that info from?

Also, if I remember correctly, that's an unlocked CPU, so could be overclocked to alleviate that issue.
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a b U Graphics card
September 25, 2014 3:42:17 PM

I searched toms for best gpu for Intel Dual 2 Core E8500. A couple threads came up with people trying to do the same thing.

That is a great processor... its just old... With a passmark of only 2300 you may run into problems.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo...
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September 25, 2014 3:50:20 PM

I am not currently over clocked. Yeah the CPU most definitely old! =) I can't even remember what year I purchased it!

I'll run a search and check it out. Thanks inerax!
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a b U Graphics card
September 25, 2014 3:52:11 PM

Jaiml said:
I am not currently over clocked. Yeah the CPU most definitely old! =) I can't even remember what year I purchased it!

I'll run a search and check it out. Thanks inerax!


I remember being in the same boat lol.... Computer upgrades suck because if you upgrade one thing you have to upgrade 240943820239 other things to make the 1 thing work right lol...


GL to you!
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