Graphics card decision for STO

[Mainer82]

Currently I have:

*Windows 98SE -- Just kidding, Windows 7 x64
*4GB RAM
*i5 2.66GHz CPU
*Single 20" widescreen monitor
*Antec EarthWatts EA500 500W PSU
*ATI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16

What I want to upgrade is the graphics card; the one I have now runs Star Trek Online fine but I'd like to play the game on higher settings without hickups.

I'm looking at these two cards:
*MSI N460GTX Hawk GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
*MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16

I can't see a big difference between the two spec wise, but am looking for your advice on that. The difference in the specifications that stand out to me is that the power requirements/connections.

The 460 says: 450W PSU, 6-pin & 6-pin
The 560 says: 500W PSU, Two 6-pin

What's the difference between the connections and will my PSU be fine? I'm assuming that the connections will be fine according to this image for the PSU.

 

[Griffolion]

Your PSU will be fine for it, it's Antec so it's a solid make and is within the boundaries given.

No difference between the power connectors, both are 2 x 6-pin (it's just worded differently)

The 560 is considerably faster than the 460, if money isn't an issue between the two, get the 560.

On the ATI side, consider the 6950.

 

[Mainer82]

When the 560 says that the minimum power requirements are 500 watts, what happens if I set the game's settings to the highest settings? Will it require more power?

I'm hoping that the two cards I listed will perform better than my current card.

 

[Griffolion]

No, the PSU requirements are based off full load statistics.

 

[Griffolion]

Sorry for the double post, yes they will perform mightily better than your old card. Especially the 560.

 

[Mainer82]

Hmm OK. Either card is in my budget, of course I'd like to spend less, especially for one game however I really think I'll be playing this game for a long time.

 

[Griffolion]

You want to spend less? The 460 will be the better buy.

If you want overall system longevity, get the 560.

 

[Mainer82]

Best answer selected by Mainer82.

 

[Mainer82]

I ended up purchasing the 560Ti and it works great with my current PSU. The game plays much much better. Thank you.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey