Upgrading my GTX 260

[Kotik]

Hello,
I bought an HP computer around 7 months back. Cost me *** loads but I wanted a high-end computer so I thought what the hell. However I feel like the stock graphic card that came with the machine was probably the weakest link in the systems hardware. Before I continue I'll tell more about the machine:

HP Pavilion Elite HPE-455sc : http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02613315&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN#N1277

Processor: Intel Core i7 870
Memory: 8 GB DDR3-1333
GPU: nVidia GTX 260
PSU: 460W (100-240V)
Monitor: BenQ 29" (Don't know if that is relevant)

Now as you can see everything is top notch but the graphic card is rather old. I play alot of heavy graphic games. My current card works, plays all the game but I would like all the eye candy (or at least as much as possible) in games. Currently my GTX 260 card plays the game in relatively decent graphics but as I understand it doesnt support DX11 so that probably affects the eye candy in games.

Budget:
I am ready to chip in with around 300-400 USD (2000-2500 SEK for me here in sweden). However, it is not uttermost important for me that the graphic card is the absolute latest out there. I want a price worthy project. For example 150 USD for a 5% improvement in frame rate is not really worth it.

Overclocking:
I'd rather not do it myself. I once burned a graphic card of mine trying to do so a while back. That has scared me away from overclocking ever since. As long as SLI or Crossfire goes. I know absolutely nothing about how it works and am unsure if I would be able to install it to my system on my own. Sounds very complicated when I have googled information about it.

Resolution:
I normally play in 1920x1080 but some games my gtx260 cannot handle in that resolution (Witcher 2 lags the hell out if i turn shadows etc on in that resolution).

Additional info:
I'm currently thinking about getting a GTX570 Ti. I can get one for 308 USD. But i thought since I know so little about graphic cards it would be best to ask people more educated in the matter.

Sorry if i wrote too much. Wanted to be thorough.

Thanks in advance,
Kotik

 

[asandwhich]

Dont get a GTX 570, Your PSU won't be able to keep up.
If you want to go cheap I would get a GTX 550 TI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625.
It would be a fantastic upgrade. It can handle a good amount of the eye candy on Crysis 2.
For a ore pricier upgrade get a GTX 560 TI and a new PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130634
Here is a good powersupply contender-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036
All are great parts that i have experience first hand and your computer will plow through any game.

 

[asandwhich]

You dont have to go EVGA. I just suggest them because they are a reliable company.

 

[Kotik]

Can I contact HP for a PSU upgrade or something? Im wondering if changing it would void my warranty.

 

[browsingtheworld]

Dont get a GTX 570, Your PSU won't be able to keep up.
If you want to go cheap I would get a GTX 550 TI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625.
It would be a fantastic upgrade. It can handle a good amount of the eye candy on Crysis 2.
For a ore pricier upgrade get a GTX 560 TI and a new PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130634
Here is a good powersupply contender-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036
All are great parts that i have experience first hand and your computer will plow through any game.

The 260 is just as fast as the 550 Ti if not faster. It would be a terrible buy.

The 560 Ti is significantly better and uses less power than the GTX 260. He does not need to waste his money on a new power supply.

 

[browsingtheworld]

Can I contact HP for a PSU upgrade or something? Im wondering if changing it would void my warranty.

Disregard Asandwhich, you can upgrade to a 560 Ti without issue.

 

[asandwhich]

Lol, the 550 TI is like 25% faster than the 260 and it supports DX11. So please disregard browsingtheworld.
I said upgrade PSU because he had some extra cash to the budget he stated and upgrading his PSU would allow for additional upgrades like a extra harddrives, etc.
You could contact HP I suppose, I am unfamiliar with any prebuilt PC warranties because I build my own.
After further thought you can get a GTX 460 around the same price as a 550 Ti and that would probably be a better option

 

[browsingtheworld]

Lol, the 550 TI is like 25% faster than the 260 and it supports DX11. So please disregard browsingtheworld.
I said upgrade PSU because he had some extra cash to the budget he stated and upgrading his PSU would allow for additional upgrades like a extra harddrives, etc.
You could contact HP I suppose, I am unfamiliar with any prebuilt PC warranties because I build my own.
After further thought you can get a GTX 460 around the same price as a 550 Ti and that would probably be a better option

No, it's really not.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/318?vs=296
GTX 260 is slightly faster than the HD 5770.
http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_550_Ti_Amp_Edition/images/perfrel_1920.gif
The GTX 550 Ti is also slightly faster than the HD 5770.

Their performances are roughly the same. Could you please provide any evidence that it's 25% faster? Without any links or benchmarks it looks like you're just making things up.

Funny how you mention DX11 support when the 550 Ti isn't powerful enough to really use DX11 features.

Again, the GTX 550 Ti was a horrible recommendation and you do not need to upgrade your PSU to get a 560 Ti.

 

[asandwhich]

I have a gts 450 and I can play Crysis 2 with it set on very high and some on ultra, on DX11. and the 550 has a pretty good performance gain over my card.
I can't find the link that said roughly 25% performance gain. Even though i find your link irrelevant since it's on a comparison of a 5770, here is a link where the 550 Ti performed better than the 5770. Only the first 2 charts contain both cards unfortunately.

 

[browsingtheworld]

Both cards are slightly faster than the HD 5770 therefore they have roughly the same performance. How hard is that to understand?

Again, the 550 Ti is a horrible card to buy when he already has a GTX 260.

Still waiting for those benchmarks showing the 550 Ti is 25% faster.

 

[bluesc]

If your PSU runs a gtx 260, it will run a gtx 560 ti, which is the card I'm recommending too.

If you want to get a gtx 570, you will absolutely have to get a new PSU too.

Don't let the naming fool you, a gtx 560 ti is a pretty significant upgrade over the gtx 260.

 

[Kotik]

Thanks for the replies. Really helpful. I'd have to call HP support to look into wether or not I can upgrade the PSU.

Also, after some hours of googling I came across alot of Radeon cards that take up alot less power from the PSU with the same performance as nVidia cards. Is that also true for high-end cards? I'm talking about nvidias "versions" if you will of 560 Ti and 570 ti? Is the Radeon route a better choice perhaps?

 

[Kotik]

Can't edit my post. I meant ATi's versions of 560 and 570.

 

[browsingtheworld]

HD 6950. You'd probably want the 1GB version if you're worried about power consumption since the 2GB version uses up much more power than 1GB and GTX 560 Ti.

They perform about the same but I'd recommend the 560 Ti because it's cheaper, overclocks better and nvidia drivers are a bit better.

 

[bluesc]

The closest to the gtx 560 ti is the HD 6950, which is a very good card. You should be able to run it on your PSU, as both cards have very similar power requirements, with the 6950 being a little lower. Be aware though, you may be pushing it very close with your PSU, depending on the quality of it. I suggest you upgrade it ASAP, at the very least for the extra headroom. A decent 550w should be fine.

In terms of performance, they are very close, one beating the other in different games.

The 6950 will probably have a small edge in performance, but the 560 ti is generally cheaper where I've checked, while also producing slightly less noise and heat.

Either will serve you well. IMO, choose the cheapest

 

[celpas]

Lol, the 550 TI is like 25% faster than the 260 and it supports DX11. So please disregard browsingtheworld.
I said upgrade PSU because he had some extra cash to the budget he stated and upgrading his PSU would allow for additional upgrades like a extra harddrives, etc.
You could contact HP I suppose, I am unfamiliar with any prebuilt PC warranties because I build my own.
After further thought you can get a GTX 460 around the same price as a 550 Ti and that would probably be a better option

lol.the 260 is slightly faster than 5770 but so is the 550 ti but you have to remember that a 550 ti is a "dumbed down" version of fermi and would perform slighlty worse than 260.The GTX 260 was made after the then flagship gtx 280 card and was the best card in the gt 200 series.Besides the 260 has 216 cores,the 550 ti has 192.The 260 has a 448 bandwith coupled with a 28 texles per second fillrate while the 550 is lower.Bottom line,THE GTX 260 IS ACTUALLY SLIGHTLY FASTER THAN 550 TI and is slighly less powerful than amd 6790

 

[browsingtheworld]

They're about the same who cares. The point is it wouldn't be an upgrade to get a GTX 550 Ti and it was a horrible recommendation.

You don't need to call HP, you can get a 560 Ti/6950 1GB without worrying. The 2GB 6950 might be too much for the PSU it but I highly doubt it.

 

[r3xx3r]

no, i dont think a 460w psu is enough for a 560Ti

dont listen to browsingtheworld, he is a moron!

 

[Onus]

+1 on the GTX560Ti, and not needing a PSU upgrade. Asandwhich, sometimes it's best to just take a seat and be quiet.
And, if you DO upgrade your PSU, there is always a better choice than Coolermaster. All but their most expensive models are overrated, and some are outright junk. Seasonic, Antec, Corsair, XFX, and Enermax/LEPA are among the better brands.

 

[browsingtheworld]

no, i dont think a 460w psu is enough for a 560Ti

dont listen to browsingtheworld, he is a moron!

Nobody cares what you think. We know the GTX 260 uses more power than the 560 Ti therefore he can upgrade to the 560 without a new PSU.

+1 on the GTX560Ti, and not needing a PSU upgrade. Asandwhich, sometimes it's best to just take a seat and be quiet.
And, if you DO upgrade your PSU, there is always a better choice than Coolermaster. All but their most expensive models are overrated, and some are outright junk. Seasonic, Antec, Corsair, XFX, and Enermax/LEPA are among the better brands.

LEPA 700W Gold Modular PSU was on sale for $100 on newegg last week, it was insane.

 

[Onus]

I know, I almost bought one, but don't like that the primary cap is only 85C and I believe I may need a few more (or a different arrangement of) SATA or peripheral connectors.