What's the best GPU I can get for my current PC for~$250 USD?

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Hi guys,

I'm currently looking to upgrade my GPU. Here's my current PC build:

- CPU:i5 3470 3.2ghz

- Motherboard: Asus / Gigabyate GA-B75M-D3V

-RAM: 8GB DDR3

-Hard Drive: Western Digital 1TB

-Video Card: Nvidia GTX560

-Case: Thermaltake V3 Black mid-tower gaming Case

-PSU: Top brand Antec Super Quiet 500W 80 plus ( 80% efficiency) certified.

I bought my PC from my country's version of ebay so I just copied the specs!

I'm looking for an upgrade to my current GPU to get through the next ~2 years worth of games. I don't think I play particularly GPU intensive games. My usual are RPGs, horrors, and sports games. I tend to play a mix between current and games from couple years back. For example, at the moment I'm into NBA 2K15, RE4, and finishing up a DA2 save and then going onto DA:. My aim of course, is to play the games at max settings with 60fps.

I don't have an impressive amount of PC knowledge. I just found out the other day my PSU is likely to be a limiting factor on which GPU I can buy. I'm not so keen on changing my PSU since it connects to other components. I figured the less amount of wiring I have to do the less likely I'm to screw things up.

From the research I've done, it seems to me an Nvidia GTX760 is the way to go for my current budget of around $250 USD. I've used Nvidia cards for all my life so I'm quite keen on sticking to another Nvidia card, and for some reason I think Radeon cards work better with AMD processors, is that correct? However I don't mind being told otherwise, particularly if the Radeon is a much better deal.

Thanks in advance

Darkbreeze · Nov 23, 2014

What country are you in? Makes a difference on what makes sense as far as cost.

Darkbreeze · Nov 23, 2014

The Radeon is usually a more powerful card at the same price. Nvidia plays better in some titles, AMD in others. It makes no difference which you use with either processor family. At all.

Helldog26 · Nov 23, 2014

The 760 will work in your system It will pull almost all of that 500W PSU though

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

I'm from New Zealand. I'm looking to buy from Alibaba though, PC parts in NZ are ridiculously over priced.

Thanks for clarifying my misconceptions. Is there any pattern to which type of games/companies Radeon or Nvidia work better with?

Cheers

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Helldog26 :

Yes I saw the minimum power requirements for a GTX760 is 500W. What sort of impact would it have on PC performance?

Thanks

Helldog26 · Nov 23, 2014

Well its not good to run it under such stress. Running that hard could blow the PSU out or short some parts out if the PSU fails and shorts. I dont think I would try it without first upgrading the PSU.

Darkbreeze · Nov 23, 2014

What is the exact model number of your PSU. If that's the Sonata, you might have issues even pulling that load.

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Helldog26 :

I see, thanks for the info.

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Darkbreeze :

I'm not sure. Is there any way of checking out the model without opening up the PC?

Darkbreeze · Nov 23, 2014

Not really. It should be on a label on the PSU. You may even need to remove the four screws holding the unit to the case to turn it over and see the label. Please do so as I'd really like to be able to give you accurate information on this. The PSU as you may know is without doubt the most important piece of hardware in the rig and without it functioning efficiently with low or no levels of voltage noise, ripple and with no issues of regulation, it can create performance issues or even damage your hardware once it's under a heavy load, which it undoubtedly would be with a bigger card.

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2150235/choose-perfect-power-supply.html

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Darkbreeze :

Of course, I just don't want to open it up and do something wrong. Heh

Helldog26 · Nov 23, 2014

Turn the power off and once you do that Hold the power down for a good 10 seconds to drain the residual electricity from the PSU. and always touch metal before any part when opening it up.

Darkbreeze · Nov 23, 2014

Also, either unplug it from the wall or turn the switch off on the back of the PSU.

Helldog26 · Nov 23, 2014

Darkbreeze :

lol I always forget to unplug the damn thing

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Wish I read what you said before opening it up heh. The model is BP500U

Helldog26 · Nov 23, 2014

Is it made by Antec?

Darkbreeze · Nov 23, 2014

That's an Antec Basiq series PSU. Pretty decent unit.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Antec-Basiq-BP500U-Power-Supply-Review/792/10

Damn, your prices there must be either WAY different as far as scale, OR, everything including AIR is at a premium there. I just noticed you listed Alibaba as your place of preference to order from. I guess I can't help you with that as I don't trust them in any way. Most of their retailers are based in China-ish countries and provinces and the chances of getting ANYTHING replaced in the case of a failure is probably very low. Those retailer just don't give a damn.

For 250.00 US, I'd go with this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $249.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-23 15:38 EST-0500

But that would require a bigger PSU. For use with the PSU you already have, the R9 270x is your best bet.

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Helldog26 :

Yes

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Darkbreeze :

Yes small country syndrome. Tell someone you're wanting to spend money on a computer they'll tell you to go to the beach and do some exercise.

I don't think alibaba is ideal either but there are a couple of Australian retailers who may have consciences.

Regarding the suggested the R9 270 and GTX760, they'll both be fine in my case and won't be too much for the PSU?

Thanks

Watch the language - Mod

Darkbreeze · Nov 23, 2014

Yes, both of those would be fine. But this might be better and is from a NZ retailer. NZ equivalent of 250 US dollars, -ish.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270X 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($309.34 @ PB Technologies)
Total: $309.34
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-24 11:39 NZDT+1300

Etcetera · Nov 23, 2014

Darkbreeze :

Awesome. Thanks for the help!

Darkbreeze · Nov 23, 2014

You're welcome. Good luck with the upgrade.

What's the best GPU I can get for my current PC for~$250 USD?

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