The best GPU for my setup

[mardal]

My GPU just got fried so im looking for a new one. basically im asking at what tier of GPUs does my CPU/RAM/PCI-E 1.0 start to bottleneck, thus what GPU can u recommend for my system?

I like to play games like: the total war series and a wide array of FPS and strategy games.

My current system is:
MSI P35 Platinum
http://eu.msi.com/index.php?func=prodmbspec&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&cat3_no=&prod_no=1212
Note there is only a PCI-Ex16 1.0 and a PCI-Ex4 1.0

Intel Core2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz
4 GB pc2-5300 667 MHz DDR2, tho i might consider in the future upgrading to 8 GB pc2-8500 1066 MHz.
550W PSU

Non of it is currently OCed, i havent tried OCing anything before, but i might look into it when i get a new GPU.

My monitor runs at 1680x1050 and my budget is about that of a 5850, but can my system efficiently utilize such a powerful GPU? or can it in fact utilize something even more powerful?

 

[shadow187]

Assuming your PSU has 1x 6-pin, an HD5770 will do you nicely.

 

[guggas]

I would go for the radeon 4770. You can get it for about $90 on newegg. Its pci-e 2.0 capable ,but will still work with your system.

 

[guggas]

The 5770 is quite a bit better but its also $160 so I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. What was the card you had that burnt out?

 

[mardal]

Thx for the replys
i just added to the initial post:
"my budget is about that of a 5850, but can my system efficiently utilize such a powerful GPU? or can it in fact utilize something even more powerful?"


My now fried GPU was a "Palit GeForce 8600GTS (256 MB)"

 

[jyjjy]

Your CPU will limit the HD5850 some or a lot depending on the game. It's also very expensive and overkill for your resolution. An HD5770 will be great at that resolution(roughly 3x as powerful as your old card) and much cheaper.
If you do eventually upgrade your system you could add another in crossfire for performance similar to an HD5870.

 

[guggas]

I think your mobo would bottleneck a 5850. If you have the cash you could get a 5850 and replace your mobo with one that does pci-e 2.0. They are not that expensive. Or just get the 5770 now and keep your mobo.

 

[guggas]

the 5770 would be a pretty good upgrade from the 8800 and is wayy cheaper than 5850. and you can always crossfire the 5770 later if you want for better than 5850 performance.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The 5770 will work as long as you stay below 1920 x 1200

 

[mardal]

Your CPU will limit the HD5850 some or a lot depending on the game. It's also very expensive and overkill for your resolution. An HD5770 will be great at that resolution(roughly 3x as powerful as your old card) and much cheaper.
If you do eventually upgrade your system you could add another in crossfire for performance similar to an HD5870.

Let me get this straight... my mobo/cpu will bottleneck at a 5850 but not a crossfire 5770? even tho 2x5770 will give me more performance than a 5850?

 

[jyjjy]

No, if you reread that I said add another in crossfire when you eventually upgrade your system.

 

[shadow187]

Down the road when he buys another card, he'll buy another CPU.

 

[mardal]

ah now i get it

thx for the replies!

i think i have settled on a 5770. im mainly interested in balancing my current system, i dont plan on replacing my mobo/cpu/ram in the near future, so a 5850 with the prospect of using it in a future system dosnt really appeal to me. since i could imagine the world of GPUs will look completely different by the time i will be looking for a new system.

 

[mardal]

Best answer selected by Mardal.