Graphics Card Upgrade Advice Needed

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bocaop

Honorable
Mar 18, 2012
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Hi all,

I have a i7-3770k CPU, 16GB RAM computer with plenty of power.. I have a GTX 680 that was working great but am getting a lot of artifacts and lines coming off of animations. I have Rolled back my video drivers, dusted and re-seated everything, checked all my connections and it is still happening... so I think it is time to upgrade my video card.

I would like advice on what is the max best card I can go with using my existing cpu that wont be a waste.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Chris
 
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R
What's your monitor resolution and the make & model of your PSU?

Your CPU is absolutely capable of handling anything. But if you're rocking a 1080P @ 60hz screen there's no point overpaying for a GTX 1080 (or even a 1070). The AMD RX 480 is expected to launch within a week, and is looking like it'll be a fantastic choice for 1080P @ 60 gaming. We'll have to wait and see whether it lives up to the hype, but for sure worth waiting to see.

The other question is about the PSU, because that could also be the reason for your artefacts and gaming issues. If the PSU is struggling or dying, the last thing you want to do is plug a new high end card in there.
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rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
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What's your monitor resolution and the make & model of your PSU?

Your CPU is absolutely capable of handling anything. But if you're rocking a 1080P @ 60hz screen there's no point overpaying for a GTX 1080 (or even a 1070). The AMD RX 480 is expected to launch within a week, and is looking like it'll be a fantastic choice for 1080P @ 60 gaming. We'll have to wait and see whether it lives up to the hype, but for sure worth waiting to see.

The other question is about the PSU, because that could also be the reason for your artefacts and gaming issues. If the PSU is struggling or dying, the last thing you want to do is plug a new high end card in there.
 
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bocaop

Honorable
Mar 18, 2012
24
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10,510
Thanks.

Well I should have stated most I was thinking of going was for a 1070.. but just wanted to make sure my system could handle it with the CPU I have. I built my system pretty good 5 years ago but just wanted to make sure going for a 1070 wasn't going to be a waste. I run dual monitors, do a lot of gaming. Currently 1920x1200(main) and 1680x1050.
 
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bocaop

Honorable
Mar 18, 2012
24
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10,510


Any way to test the PSU? Before I could clearly tell when my PSU was going down hill as I had system shutdown issues..
 
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MeanMachine41

MeanMachine41

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May 8, 2014
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Unless you have multi-meter test rig for PSU. No
You can see if voltages on your rails are up to par under load.
Download HWMonitor and run a stress test on your system.

 
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Hellfire13

Hellfire13

Titan
Apr 20, 2016
15,099
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thermaltek is a gud brand and their psu r usually reliable...best way to check wud be to try in another pc maybe and seee whether the issue follows the device...but that is not always feasible...
u can try this as an alternative....relatively inexpensive... http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007539&IsNodeId=1&Description=power%20supply%20tester&name=PC%20Tools&Order=BESTMATCH

or u can use a multimemter...
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/power-supply-test-multimeter.htm
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
Dec 26, 2012
30,740
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I have an i7 3770k with a gtx970. Skyrim with 130+ mods, mostly 4-8k texture packs, ultra maxed settings, mxAA etc gets me 54% cpu, 64% gpu. Metal Gear Solid V totally maxed / GeForce optimized with DSR gets me 55% cpu, 99% gpu.

Dual 24" 1080p monitors, and yes Google, maps, directions runs on the 2nd monitor while in game.

Honestly, the only limiting factor with that cpu is your budget. There isn't a single gpu it won't handle easily, and just about any dual setup either. If all you need is 1080p, I'd suggest a gtx970, r9 390, rx 480 or at most a gtx 1070 if you are pushing 144Hz or want to move to 1440p.

Thermaltake psus are mediocre at best, with a few exceptions, like the TR2 line which depending on exact model and place of manufacture can be mediocre or worse, but they aren't known for high amp outputs on the 12v rails. 50A for a 700w psu is almost miserable, my 520w outputs 40. Considerable difference. But at 50A, that's more than plenty for a 680 which only requires a 38A-550w psu on average. It's possible that that TR2 is a junk unit with failing outputs or even the psu itself has caused damage to the gpu, but without substitution of one or the other, there's no way to tell. Only a gpu will load a psu to its breaking point, nothing else in the system comes close, especially at that wattage.

Considering the prices on good psus, that would be my first replacement regardless.
 
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rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
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I'd question whether a 1070 is actually worthwhile on a 1200P monitor. It may well be worth waiting to see how the RX 480 performs, as it'll be much cheaper and is *looking* (as much as we can tell for now) to be a fantastic option for 1080/1200P gaming. We should have reviews in a week, so at least worth waiting to see before laying down money IMHO.

RE the PSU, that unit you have isn't junk and is well over-specced. So on second thoughts, while it may still be the issue, you're probably due an upgrade from a GTX 680 anyway aren't you? So even if the new card exposes the PSU as the culprit, that wouldn't be the end of the world would it?
 
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bocaop

Honorable
Mar 18, 2012
24
0
10,510
I didn't even know the RX480 was coming out. The 480 is sounding like a very good solution. I have ordered a psu tester to make sure I do not have any issues with my power supply. I am going to be patient and wait the week and probably get the AMD card. It has been a very long time since I have had an radeon card but I think it is a good solution... Thanks everyone for the advice.
 
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