Seconds away from buying a MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G GPU....Is it worth it?!?

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PreyTheSun

PreyTheSun

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So I've been running with an AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB for 4 1/2 years now, since about 1/22/2011, served me well and is still kicking some butt to this day with the latest games, Dragon Age, BF, Shadow of Mordor, etc....BUT, with a purchase of a MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G GPU from Newegg, not only do I get a SICK and noticeable upgrade, but they're giving away a free copy of the witcher 3: Wild Hunt and I'm SECONDS away from just putting it on my newegg preferred account and calling it a day, haha.

What would you do? Do you think it's a good deal? My motherboard is a ASUS Crosshair IV Formula AM3 AMD 890FX S, so would the MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G GPU be something that would work well with my MoBo?

Thanks for all the assistance and seconds opinions on whether or not I should pull the trigger on this one!!!:D
 
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madmatt30
If you're running those at max & are happy with fps then you're very easily pleased mate - I honestly dont see a 6950 pushing more than 30fps in either title.
I went from a 280x (hd7970) to a gtx 970 & performance improvement was instantly noticeable.
To summise a gtx 970 is a little over twice as powerful as a 6950 & will be an absolutely vast improvement irregardless of your CPU.

Regarding overclocking - should be very easy on your motherboard & this little cooler will for the job & is easy to fit (I have no idea how you've put up with a stock amd cooler for 3 years - they go straight in the bin on any build I do)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=35-103-064&FM=1
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PreyTheSun

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Ah, I see, so if I just install the MSI without OC'ing my AMD Phenom II X6 1100T and leaving everything at the default settings with the latest drivers, would it take a big hit and bottle neck the card itself/performance?

Thanks for all the feedback, MadMatt30.

I'm not the best when it comes to OC'ing, so OC'ing my CPU kinda scares me but I know it's possible. How would I go about that, from the BIOS?
 
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PreyTheSun

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Basically what I'm trying to say is, if I don't overclock my CPU and just install that MSI "AS IS" out of the box and with the latest Nvidia drivers, would I REALLY not being getting the most out of it or will I not see THAT much of a difference?

I'm playing games on full load right now, like Dying Light, ESO, Dragon Age, etc etc, without a problem with my AMD Radeon HD 6950, so I wanted to get this MSI for the Witcher 3, more or less.....and it's free with this card's purchase.

Sorry if I sound confused, haha, I'm trying to describe it the best I can.

Thanks for all the help!!!
 
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madmatt30

madmatt30

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What you'll get with your 1100t at stock is this.

Stick dying light or dragon age (both very CPU dependant) at low or maybe medium settings.

What you get fps wise with your current 6950 at those settings is what you'll get at ultra/max settings with the gtx 970.
If you're happy with your current framerates & just want to up the graphical fidelity of all your games to the max then yes the gtx 970 is a viable purchase & will do exactly that.

You're undercutting general performance keeping your phenom at stock speeds though - they're all fairly capable of at least 4ghz with a $20 aftermarket cooler - its not a necessity though - but I have seen a fairly big performance increase with my 6300 once pushed to the 4ghz mark & the 1100t & 6300 have fairly similar performance.
 
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PreyTheSun

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Ah okay, so how would I push my 1100T to 4GHz? Is overclocking all done through the BIOS? Excellent insight, MadMatt30, I sincerely appreciate it. I'm playing Dying Light and Dragon Age on what I think is full load right now and I'm getting great frames with my Radeon HD 6950, somehow some way, but I'm incredibly surprised that my Radeon from 4 1/2 years ago can even handle those two on medium settings, let alone high.

I'm still a little uneasy about getting the MSI until I know how to overclock my CPU because I'm taking your word for it. I want to get the best bang for my buck and above all else, be able to play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with flawless performance or close to it.

I have until 3/31 to decide, haha.
 
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madmatt30

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If you're running those at max & are happy with fps then you're very easily pleased mate - I honestly dont see a 6950 pushing more than 30fps in either title.
I went from a 280x (hd7970) to a gtx 970 & performance improvement was instantly noticeable.
To summise a gtx 970 is a little over twice as powerful as a 6950 & will be an absolutely vast improvement irregardless of your CPU.

Regarding overclocking - should be very easy on your motherboard & this little cooler will for the job & is easy to fit (I have no idea how you've put up with a stock amd cooler for 3 years - they go straight in the bin on any build I do)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=35-103-064&FM=1
 
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PreyTheSun

PreyTheSun

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Haha, I am easily pleased at some points, MadMatt30, and I'm so critical when it comes to graphics, but you're the man, dude! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day and going over this with me. You've been a HUGE help and I will study this over a little more before I pull the trigger.
 
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