8600GT Upgrade Suggestions Please~ $300

[ioset]

I'm still using a 8600GT so it is time to upgrade. I'm interested in ordering through Newegg, and I would like to spend $275-$325. I would like to order immediately unless there is a good reason (rebates deals offers etc) to wait up to ~10 days. I feel best about getting a 6950 and trying to unlock/overclock it, but I can't really distinguish between the 15 2GB 6950 cards (3 out of stock) listed at http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048&IsNodeId=1&Description=6950%202gb&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=50

A few of them that have dual cooling fans may not be reference models and would decrease chances of being able to overclock, but a single fan is of course noisier. I am willing to use an after market cooler but items like Accelero XTREME Plus are intimidating mainly in terms of price (~$75), so I'm wondering about other reasonably quiet alternatives.

Computer Stats:
Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001
Display Resolutions - 1920x1080 and a 1024x768 CRT 2nd monitor
CPU - Pentium Dual Core E5200 clocked from 2.5ghz to 3.33ghz on stock cooling (bonus: open to CPU cooler suggestions to push to at leat 3.5ghz)
No apparent case restrictions but I am ready to check/measure anything if needed.
Target Games: Final Fantasy XIV Online, Starcraft 2, Source games

So I would like >any< gpu+cooler recommendations that balance my concerns for performance value, noise and cooling. I'm also thinking my processor may bottleneck my graphics so I could skip cooling (and aural comfort) for now and wait for a major upgrade. (Put back the 8600GT and use the new GPU in a new system). OR going with a card that is appropriate for the system. Those are my thoughts. Any questions or recommendations? Thank you!

 

[jryan388]

GTX 570 if you can find it for 300 or under (probably only after rebate)
Radeon 6950 for ~$220, or a 6970 for about $100 more

I would guess that the best price/performance would be the 6950, but the 570 or 6970 would both be great for a little over 300

 

[ioset]

I'm not finding GTX 570 for less than $325 and I'm short 30 watts compared to the recommended PSU.

According to internet discussions, the Msi 6950 Twin Frozr II is not unlockable but it might be better to just get this rather than a card plus a cooler.

I wouldn't get a 6970 over potentially overclockable 6950.

Anything else guys?

Based on my CPU (Pentium Dual Core E5200 @ 3.33ghz) should I aim just a little lower?

 

[hyrule571]

Ah, sorry to say, your Pentium D processor IN MY OPINION is a bottleneck. I was helping my friend in the past to get a E8600 C2D (better than P4D) with a GTX 460(the GTX 460 performance is between a 550Ti and 560Ti), and it was then even borderline bottleneck if the GTX 460 could unleash its full potential with the processor(E8600)...

Here you go... If you cant upgrade your processor to a quad core, get a 550Ti or a GTX460.

If you can get a processor upgrade to a quad core, get what these guys are telling you, a GTX 570 or better. You may even need to scrap your motherboard and get a new one if your upgrading to a quad core.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130596 - Already highly overclocked, good to go.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500194&cm_re=GTX_550-_-14-500-194-_-Product - this ones really overclocked too, so your good to go.


My .02c on this discussion. Well, a 16 year olds .02c =]

 

[hyrule571]

Remember the rebate on the 550 Ti!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (second link)

And also, your saving some money if your going for the two cards i recommended. You can go buy some McDonalds for about a month with the savings. mmmmm...