PC Newbie: Looking for GPU+PSU for £150-200.

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Ren_Li

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Mar 11, 2016
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So I need to upgrade both GPU and PSU. And I'm completely overwhelmed. Help!

Here is the computer I have. It only has an integrated graphics chip, which apparently isn't a bad chip (and apparently could also be used in tandem with a GPU but whether or not that would be beneficial apparently varies.) Hopefully the link has all the necessary information, if not let me know.
I want it for gaming.
I'd like to keep everything closer to £150 than £200 if at all possible, but if necessary I can stretch to something pricier rather than be disappointed.
I'm in the UK and don't really have a website preference- I've bought RAM from Amazon but I'd probably just go wherever is both reputable and cheap.
Display is 1920x1080.

I've been recommended GTX 960 or R9 380- but trying to understand anything about them other than price has made my head spin. Any other recommendations, thoughts or feedback would be incredibly welcome.

Also, other than making sure it has enough power for the GPU, is there anything I need to keep in mind while buying a PSU? Any recommendations there?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.
 
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VincentP

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Oct 18, 2013
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The specs for your machine show an APU with integrated graphics and the "Radeon R7".
If there is a graphics card installed in your PCI-E x16 slot, you should remove it when you get your new GPU.
The integrated graphics will not be used.

Choosing a graphics card really depends on the settings you want.
The GTX 960 or R9 380 will run games at 1920x1080 resolution on high settings (ultra in older or less intensive games).
These are not well suited to 2560x1440, so if you have a QHD monitor consider the GTX 970 or R9 390 instead.

For the power supply, quality is important.
Pick something from tier 3 or better, preferably tier 2 or better:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

If you choose a GTX 960 or GTX 970, then any good supply over 400W should be fine.
If you choose an R9 380, then any good supply over 450W should be fine.
If you choose an R9 390, then any good supply over 550W should be fine.

The radeon cards use more power, produce more heat and make more noise than the equivalent GeForce cards
 
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Ren_Li

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Mar 11, 2016
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Okay, so... Why? What's the difference, and why does the monitor make a difference? I don't think I have a QHD monitor, but what would it affect if I did? I'm guessing those are the next cards up (although some numbers mean that and some numbers don't and I get very confused- hence me posting here.)

Other than the radeon cards using more power etc, are there any other real differences between the two?

Also, thank you for your reply and apologies for how long it took for me to respond.
 
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VincentP

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Oct 18, 2013
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QHD means 2560x1440 resolution.
This basically means more dots (pixels) on the screen, so a better picture and more work for the graphics card.

Yes, GTX 970 is more powerful than the GTX 960 and the R9 390 is more powerful than the R9 380.
Nvidia also announced the GTX 1070 recently. This will be available in June and is much more powerful than either of these cards. The older card will drop in price, but the GTX 1070 will be a much better buy for resolutions above 1920x1080.

Between Nvidia and AMD, some games are better optimised for one than the other.
Typically Nvidia has lower frame variance (less stutter), less power and costs a little more for the same performance level.
 
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JakePC12

JakePC12

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Mar 24, 2015
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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GV-N960OC-4GD-Express-Graphics-Cards/dp/B012G7VCGU/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1463440896&sr=1-5&keywords=GTX+960
Gigabyte GTX 960 4gb GDDR5 OC
169.99 EURO
This is good and will last you some years since it has 4gb which I recommend now a days. 2GB is fine but with 4gb you can tweak up the settings higher. Although id recommend a GTX 970 for 100 more but this will be fine for 1080p gaming.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CP-9020048-UK-Builder-Bronze-Supply/dp/B009RMP44O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1463440988&sr=8-2&keywords=600w

Corsair 600W 80+ bronze certified power supply this is a really good power supply especially if you want to switch out the gtx 960 later for another card and it should be more than enough for the GTX 960 power requirements.
 
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VincentP

Splendid
Oct 18, 2013
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Corsair CX series are not great quality.
They make tier 3 in the list I linked, but they won't last as long as better quality supplies.
Any XFX 550W model (Pro, Core, TS, etc.) is a good value choice for a quality supply if available in your country. (I'm from Australia and we don't get them here).
Antec HCG 620 is another good choice. The 520W model is plenty for the GTX 960 but I'd prefer the 620W model in case of upgrades.
 
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

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Mar 25, 2010
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I don't see what power supply is in the system, what is the brand and model?

Your CPU will hold the system back for any decently fast video card, you will have stuttering in games if you set a high enough quality setting to make use of a good video card.

I think you will be fine with a nVidia 750 Ti, or wait and see what the new video cards from nVidia come out in that range, should be soon. A 750 Ti would be a huge upgrade over the A10 video speed, won't need a different power supply, will cost about 100, will match the A10 CPU speeds pretty well and can still run any game.
 
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