Best GPU for i7 system

[Aoster87]

I just build a system based on an i7-950. I currently have an XFX 5770 gpu, which I was using with my old Q6600 system. I haven't really seen a significant increase in gaming performance. I primarily play wow and I would like to have my settings set to ultra. With the i7 system, my range of fps is 30-55 on average with settings on high. I am running the game at 1920 x 1080 @ 60hz.

I do not think there is any bottleneck on the GPU caused by the CPU. I was rather shocked to see only a marginal increase in performance.

What single GPU would be best paired with the i7 under $300?

Would it be cheaper to just add in another 5770?


System Specs:

i7 950
Asus ROP Rampage III mobo
XFX 5770
Intel G2 80GB SSD
6GB Corsair dominator DDR3 1600
windows 7 pro x64

 

[jay2tall]

For $300 your best bet is a new ATI 6870 or Nvidia GTX470. However, you may want to hold tight and see what the next 500 series Nvidia card will be now that the GTX580 is out. The 570 should be out at some point. I am not sure if WOW favors ATI or Nvidia cards. Nvidia usually has more graphical options like AA and such.

What PSU do you have?

 

[bystander]

For $300 your best bet is a new ATI 6870 or Nvidia GTX470. However, you may want to hold tight and see what the next 500 series Nvidia card will be now that the GTX580 is out. The 570 should be out at some point. I am not sure if WOW favors ATI or Nvidia cards. Nvidia usually has more graphical options like AA and such.

What PSU do you have?

WoW does favor Nvidia by all the benchmarks, and it is a TWIMTBP game, which would favor the GTX470.

There is little reason to expect a 570 or any other 5xx card that is any different than our current 4xx cards other than clock speed adjustments. The 580 is the exact same chip as the 480, except it has all it's cores enabled. If they do come out with a 570, it would be nothing more than a 480 with possible clock speed adjustments.

 

[jay2tall]

^
The GTX570 is slatted for December sometime. I would bet when the 6900 series is set to launch December 13th. The GTX570 will basically be the GF110 version of the GTX480 with higher clocks.

I'd say if you need it now, get a GTX470. There are plenty of great deals. If you can wait see what the 570 holds, but buy it day 1 because they will go fast and possibly go up in price a little. I noticed that with the 580. They sold out and now are going for a little more 2 weeks later.

 

[Aoster87]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152026

That is my power supply.

 

[jay2tall]

Wheew... I don't think I'd run much more than a 5770 off that thing. I'd upgrade your PSU as well if you are going to go to the higher end cards. Maybe a 6850. But I would look at a more solid. Last thing you want to do it have the PSU go and take some of your nice parts with it.

 

[Aoster87]

If a new PSU is needed before anything else, what would you suggest I go with. I'm not too concerned with SLI / Xfire on it because I prefer a single-GPU system.

EDIT: I strongly prefer modular power supplies.

Here are some PSU's I'm considering.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

 

[jay2tall]

That ANtec True Power 750W with coupon is a nice deal. It'd take that over the corsair.

 

[geniusender]

hey aoster87,
This may help u in calculating your power supply with respect to your components:
http://www.antec.outervision.com/PSUEngine

Other calculators are given below:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDR

http://www.hardocp.com/reviews/psu_power_supplies/

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/page/power

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

http://www.raptoxx.com/calculator.php

http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power

http://www.journeysystems.com/power_supply/

http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=power

http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html
..............................................................................................................
And i will recommend you the power supply of CORSAIR or ANTEC.
Both are good.
..............................................................................................................
Now i come to your graphic card.
Your rig is high-end and definitely it requires good ventilation so i better recommend you the graphic cards of NVIDIA because usually they used to
produce less heat.
If u have a good cooling system then u may go for ATI otherwise go for NVIDIA .
And join two graphic cards through bridge because two good graphic cards will give better performance then a single high-end card and they will also save your money.
Select graphic cards with respect to your budget.

 

[Aoster87]

Geniusender,

I run my system in an Antec 900 case. If you arent familiar it has 2 120mm front intake fans, a rear 120mm fan, and a huge 200mm exhaust fan on the top and back of the case. I have that paired with a massive heatsink / 120mm fan on the CPU. All case fans are 3-way adjustable to meet the airflow I need. Cooling isn't a problem

I think I will probably go with the Antec PSU paired with a 470 GTX.

Thank you all for your input!

 

[Aoster87]

Best answer selected by Aoster87.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey