Seeking Upgrade Options from GTS 250

northtexas55693

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Feb 11, 2014
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Currently have a 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250.
My current graphics card in the title is about 6 yrs old and it has served me well.

I am putting together a new build and while I have nearly everything set I am stuck on the graphics card.

I feel like what kept this card viable for my needs for such a long was the 256-bit interface.

I am not educated enough on the current and best performer/dollar to make a sound decision so I came here seeking advice.

This is the build:

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($163.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($107.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 530 Series 180GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($88.88 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO ATX Desktop Case ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Full (32/64-bit) ($441.00 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Dell U2412M 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($249.95 @ B&H)
Monitor: Asus MT276HE 27.0" Monitor

I already own and will be reusing the case, SSD, OS, and both monitors.
Also reusing old HDD's, optical drives, and 1 PWM 120 Fan and 4 manual 120 fans


Budget for a card is about $125 - $175.
Would like to be around $145 or less.
Would like to utilize 256-bit or more memory interface if possible / if necessary?


Overall the build will be used for mostly browsing internet and transferring large files to HDD's
Build will be used frequently (6-20 hrs per week) for rendering maps and amateur photo and video editing sessions.
Will be used for light gaming - (2 hrs or less per day) - mostly with League, GW2, D3, etc.

I have been eyeing the 2 GB GeForce GTX 750 Ti
or something more along the lines of
MSI R7 265 2GD5 OC 2GB 256-Bit GDDR5

Thanks for your input/direction

 
Solution
Hey I suggest you read this it's a very useful topic to help you pic the right card: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-3.html

If I were you I would consider these:

[165$] SAPPHIRE DUAL-X 100365L Radeon R9 270 2GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202090&cm_re=R9_270-_-14-202-090-_-Product

[150$-170$] GTX 750ti (good cad for 1080p buy R9 270 beats it )

# You can add a little bit and get even more performance: (190$)
SAPPHIRE DUAL-X 100373-2L Radeon R9 280 3GB 384-Bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202112&cm_re=R9_280-_-14-202-112-_-Product

ThanatosFX

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Feb 13, 2015
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Hey I suggest you read this it's a very useful topic to help you pic the right card: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-3.html

If I were you I would consider these:

[165$] SAPPHIRE DUAL-X 100365L Radeon R9 270 2GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202090&cm_re=R9_270-_-14-202-090-_-Product

[150$-170$] GTX 750ti (good cad for 1080p buy R9 270 beats it )

# You can add a little bit and get even more performance: (190$)
SAPPHIRE DUAL-X 100373-2L Radeon R9 280 3GB 384-Bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202112&cm_re=R9_280-_-14-202-112-_-Product
 
Solution

northtexas55693

Honorable
Feb 11, 2014
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10,630
That R9 280 looks sweet and for only $173 shipped!

Never run an AMD card before.
Can you enumerate the magnitude of performance increase I might see from GTS 250 to R9 280?
-This will probably be leaps and bounds but I cant seem to compare AMD and NVIDIA very well.

 

ThanatosFX

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Feb 13, 2015
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4,710


Yeah the increase of performance between a GTS 250 and an R9 280 is just huge you can't even compare them, with an R9 280 you can play all your games at ultra no problem. Check this out Battlefiled 4 Ultra settings with this card https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i8fV3UG_zk

Now at that price I can't really recommend Nvidia there's their new mid range card the GTX 960 which is about 210$ and still the R9 280 beats it and the 960 has only 2GB of vRam which is not enough for today's games quite honestly.
The R9 280 is your best bet trust me ^^
If you have any other question please feel free :) Good luck!!