Upgrading GPU. Suggestions for an older machine?

zombieturtle01

Reputable
Nov 23, 2014
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4,510
I am uncertain of what I can safely upgrade my GPU to with my current rig in order to play some new games this year. Looking to spend between $150-$180 preferably. $200 if I must.

Here is my system-

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc
System Model: XPS 630i
Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce GTX 460
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4GB RAM

Thanks for the help!
 

Fox_

Honorable
Mar 16, 2013
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10,710
Upgrading to 8GB will help some games, I would do it because it's so cheap. The RAM won't boost your frames by a lot though. If you don't mind buying used parts you could get something like these three parts for a decently balanced system

GPU: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-Nvidia-GeForce-GTX-660-Ti-DirectCU-II-TI-DC2OC-3GD5-3GB-/181592552036?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item2a47c27264
CPU: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SLGT6-Intel-CORE-2-QUAD-Q8400-CPU-2-66GHZ-4M-1333-05-Socket-775-Processor-/161490127230?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25998fc97e
RAM: A cheap 4gb stick

Of course the CPU isn't totally necessary, it only outperforms yours by a little bit.
 

zombieturtle01

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Nov 23, 2014
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4,510

Fox_

Honorable
Mar 16, 2013
116
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10,710
Here's a comparison of your current card, the one I picked, and the MSI one:
GeForce GTX 660 Ti
4,691
Radeon R9 270X
4,511
GeForce GTX 460
2,669
PassMark Software © 2008-2014


The difference between 3gb of RAM and 2gb is that the card with 3gb can support a higher resolution. Neither amount taxes the system, the more ram the better.
 

zombieturtle01

Reputable
Nov 23, 2014
4
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4,510
Okay, I am looking for something new but still on a budget, the GTX 660 Ti is pretty difficult to find new, and I am a little wary of buying used parts. Could my system handle a GTX 750 TI SC? It's only 2GB, I'd prefer a 3GB, but I'll take what I can.
Should I be looking for a card that is a PCI Express?
 

Math Geek

Titan
Ambassador
from what i see you have 2 x 6 pin pcie power connectors. so you should be able to handle any card that needs these 2 x 6 pins. a 270x would be you best bet as i think any better requires at least 1 6+2 pin connector.

and yes you should be looking at pci express cards. you have a 2.0 x16 slot and should use it for your gpu. it's ok if the card says it's a 3.0 card as they are backwards compatible so don't worry there.