Need New Graphics Card

anonymousdude · Nov 24, 2015

Hi guys my graphics card on my rig finally crapped out after many years, so I need a replacement.

My current specs
CPU: Phenom II 1090T OCed to 4.0 GHZ
Memory 8GB ddr3 1600
Mobo: 890fx crosshair
Monitor resolution: 1920x1200

I'm looking at something along the lines of a gtx 970 or r9 390, but I'm pretty sure my cpu will bottleneck the two cards in certain situations. My question is in real life how much will the bottleneck actually affect performance. I know that this is a really hard question to answer because it's so dependent on the game or program, but a general idea would be great. Also any opinions on whether I should step down to a r9 380 or gtx 960 would also be much appreciated.

jerdle · Nov 24, 2015

What type of games do you play? Would be easier to express if we knew if you played games that relied more heavily on CPU. In any case, the 970 or 390 do have more power than your CPU can use.

You could step down to a 380 or 960, but you can get an r9 290 for $199.99 now, so that's your best bet. Will still be more power than your CPU can handle, but its also going to be a far better buy than a more expensive 4gb 380 or 960.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202043

anonymousdude · Nov 24, 2015

I mainly play FPS i.e Battlefield, CS, etc. I also play some Starcraft II, Civ 5, Witcher, etc. Then there's the occasional MMORPG thrown in, but I usually turn down the settings in those anyways. Basically name a good game and I'll probably play it for a bit. Also my PSU is Corsair TX750, before I forget. Thanks for the help

jerdle · Nov 24, 2015

Yeah, CPU's gonna hold you back quite a bit. No point in buying a 970 or 390

@ $200 though, it will be your best buy. More grunt than you need, less cost than a 960 or 380 (the good versions w/ 4gb)

@ 750W the PSU is fine

anonymousdude · Nov 24, 2015

So if a 380 or 960 4gb came up for less than $200 then they would be viable options as well right? Also just out of curiosity do you have any idea of the the performance loss due to the bottleneck? Again thanks for help!

jerdle · Nov 24, 2015

oh lookie, prices have indeed dropped after the release of the r9 280x.

Given a $160 price tag, this is probably a better buy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131673

in general the 290 may give you some more frames, but with a $40 difference and your old CPU just grab that 380.

Its hard to be explicit about the degree of limitation imposed by the CPU. In some games it may only be a few fps, in others it could be twenty.

anonymousdude · Nov 25, 2015

Sweet, thanks for all the help jerdle!

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