Which Graphics Card Should I get?

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

System Specs:

Case: Corsair 200R
GPU: GTX 750 Ti
CPU: Pentium G3258 OCed to 4.4 GHz (Upgrading to i5 4590)
HDD: Western Digital 1TB Caviar Blue
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E34
RAM: 16GB Crucial Ballistix Sport
Power Supply: Corsair CX430W
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 933 (VGA, but I can use an adapter if needed)

My question is a follow up to my last question. So you don't have to check it out, I decided to upgrade to the i5 4590 from my Pentium, but I have a question about which video card to get next.

I was thinking a GTX 960 or an R9 380X. I know the R9 is better, however im worried about my power consumption, and if my PSU will be enough to handle the system with an i5 4590 and an R9 380x.

I checked PCPartPicker and when I selected the power supply I had, and it didn't have any compatibility issues with the Graphics card, however I don't know how reliable this is.

It would be awesome if someone with more experience could take a look at my build, and recommend me a graphics card upgrade to my system. Keeping in mind that I will be getting an i5 4590 soon, if that would help with the recommendation.

If the card could be around 250-280 dollars Canadian before tax. (195-218 USD) that would be preferable.

If you need ANY clarification or extra information about this unfortunately long question, feel free to ask.

Thanks in advance - Christian

Math Geek · Aug 17, 2016

one of the new rx 470 cards seems like a good option to stay on the newest gen gpu. not sure what they cost in canada but should be under your budget.

joex444 · Aug 17, 2016

R9 380X and GTX 970 use almost identical amounts of power. The latter is a 145W part and nVidia suggests a 500W PSU. They make that suggestion conservatively because they need to account for people who are running, say, FX-8350 CPUs.

So 145W for the GPU and an i5-4590 is an 84W part - together we're at 229W. Throw in 10W for the HDD, 10W for the motherboard, and 10W for the RAM and you can see about 260W peak.

Now 260W on a 430W PSU is a 60% load. That's basically perfect.

Make no mistake though, the CX430M is a low end PSU not just in terms of its wattage but in terms of its components. It's an inherent risk to use that PSU to start with, but your choice of GPU here shouldn't increase that risk if you get what I'm saying.

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

joex444 :

R9 380X and GTX 970 use almost identical amounts of power. The latter is a 145W part and nVidia suggests a 500W PSU. They make that suggestion conservatively because they need to account for people who are running, say, FX-8350 CPUs.

So 145W for the GPU and an i5-4590 is an 84W part - together we're at 229W. Throw in 10W for the HDD, 10W for the motherboard, and 10W for the RAM and you can see about 260W peak.

Now 260W on a 430W PSU is a 60% load. That's basically perfect.

Make no mistake though, the CX430M is a low end PSU not just in terms of its wattage but in terms of its components. It's an inherent risk to use that PSU to start with, but your choice of GPU here shouldn't increase that risk if you get what I'm saying.

basically, the PSU is fine as long as you don't stress it with high loads

norseman4 · Aug 17, 2016

As stated earlier, look at the 470 (or 1060) for better graphics and less power and a decent price. As for your actual question:

My standard rule of thumb is, after adding all of your components into PC Part Picker, take the estimated power, add 15%, and round up to the nearest 50. (400W, 450W, 500W etc.) Though just being over that added 15%, should be OK.

PCPP checks to see if the PSU meets or exceeds the estimated power requirement, and has enough power connectors, I believe, so if you have the entire build added, and there are no warnings, you should be OK.

mcconkeymike · Aug 17, 2016

I agree that the GTX 960 is a heck of an upgrade from the 750ti. I also believe that you'll be fine with your power supply and the rest of your components. I'm not sure what articles people have been reading about the CX power supplies being shit, but the ones I've read said that they are just fine as long as you don't overly stress them, not top of the line, but not dangerous. As for whether to go Nvidia or AMD, I personally have had many issues over the years with AMD/ATI video card drivers so I will not buy an AMD/ATI video card, but whatever works for you. Good luck.

Math Geek · Aug 17, 2016

power supply is not a problem for the locked cpu and lower powered gpu like 470/80 or 1060 type card. no worries there.

grab what you can in your price range and be happy knowing it will work fine.

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

Math Geek :

So even with my PSU and the i5 I could queeze in an rx 470/80? Because I know it's better than the 960.

Math Geek · Aug 17, 2016

should not be a problem. just don't try any oc of the card beyond what it comes with out of the box. a 470 would be better than a 480 for the lower power usage. but a stock 480 won't be an issue either. keep in mind you only have a single 8+2 pcie power connection so any custom card which needs a second power lead won't work for you. can only use a single 6 or 8 pin power connection.

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

Math Geek :

Due to availability, I'm not sure if I can get an rx 470, but if you think that it's significantly better than the 960 then Ill see what i can do about getting it in from the USA.

Math Geek · Aug 17, 2016

yah it was leaps and bounds ahead of a 960. roughly a 970 in performance if i recall right. maybe alittle bit lower. 480 was between the 970 and 980 depending on the game.

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

Math Geek :

So is the 470 out of the question? because I think it fits with the power supply better

Math Geek · Aug 17, 2016

not at all. a 470 would be a great choice for both your power supply and as a nice upgrade from a 750ti

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

Math Geek :

Thanks for sticking it otu with all my questions! Ill probably get the 470 since it's like 20 dollars more than a 960 and its better. I have a Canada Computers near me, so Ill ask them too just to be sure, but I think I've already made my choice

Math Geek · Aug 17, 2016

no problem. is why we are here.

enjoy your new card.

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

Math Geek :

Thanks man!

Math Geek · Aug 17, 2016

here is one page from tom's review of the asus strix 470 card. as you can see it is easily better than a 960 http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-radeon-rx-470,4703-4.html

just to help the decision a bit

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

Math Geek :

Thanks for the link! Unfortunately the Computer stores near me only sell the MSI and Sapphire versions of the card but I doubt that it will be much slower than the ASUS version

Math Geek · Aug 17, 2016

yah. performance will be the same overall. just wanted you to see some numbers of the 960 and 470/80 compared. the nitro+ is getting the most praises right now for cooling and quiet performance. but overall, they will all net the same fps within a couple.

_Mutant · Aug 17, 2016

Math Geek :

Yeah, that chart really opened my eyes to the actual difference between them. I don't care about a couple fps difference but this one is pretty big

Which Graphics Card Should I get?

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