Upgrading the Graphics Card Crossfire or GTX 570?

[truexgaming]

Hello people,

So i am planning to upgrade my GPU.Current System Specs:

CPU : i5 2500k Stock
GPU:Gainward GTX 460 768MB
RAM:Kingston 8GB 1333MHz
CPU COOLER:STOCK
CASE:TURBO-X PIANO
PSU:550W HEC-550w
Motherboard:GIGABYTE PH67A-UD3-B3
HDD:SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-II 3GB/S 32MB Buffer
Resolution : 1280x1020 ( 1080p soon )

I am throwing my GTX 460 away since it is not that enough for me.

Interests of GPU's :
First i wanted to get a 570 GTX but i saw someone saying that a CF 6870 would be beast.Checking it on the net was simple awsome and i was astonished.Better than a 5970 and from a 580 maybe?Simply awsome. The problem is that i found in general the problem of dual GPU's called "microstutter".Since i was so worried because i hate it a little i preffered to go single with no problems with a Gigabyte 3xWindforce GTX 570 but the 6870 are much better tho.What do you have to say or what you suggest to do?Is microstutter that serious issue?

Prices : 6870 CF is both 305pounds (140 each + shipping)
GTX 570 is 293pounds (+ shipping)

Notes :
If i go CF i need new PSU maybe a 850w or 750w and a new mobo(I already found the new parts which will suit me) because this one has PCIE 16x 4x slots and thats rubbish so what i need is 8x 8x both .
If i go for a GTX 570 on the other side i just need new PSU and keep the Mobo.
Overclocking : Yes
Prices are so important to me i am not going to spend that much .

Thanks .

 

[geofelt]

A GTX570 is a nice jump over a GTX460. Don't go less. or you may be disappointed.
If your 550w psu can deliver 38a on the 12v rails, then you will not need to change the psu. The 6970 is a comparable performing card, and should run well too with a 550w psu.

Since budget is a concern, I think you have the correct plan. Remember that you can recover some of the upgrade cost by selling the GTX460.

When the next generation of 28nm top end cards arrive, they should be less power hungry, and it is possible that you will still have an upgrade available without a psu change.

 

[truexgaming]

A GTX570 is a nice jump over a GTX460. Don't go less. or you may be disappointed.
If your 550w psu can deliver 38a on the 12v rails, then you will not need to change the psu. The 6970 is a comparable performing card, and should run well too with a 550w psu.

Since budget is a concern, I think you have the correct plan. Remember that you can recover some of the upgrade cost by selling the GTX460.

When the next generation of 28nm top end cards arrive, they should be less power hungry, and it is possible that you will still have an upgrade available without a psu change.

What about the Ati 6870's?Isnt that better in perfomance and better in price?What holds me back is the microstutter thing...Can you tell if its really an issue?Of course i will sell the 460.I also checked my PSU it says 12V1 = 17A 12V2 18A 12V-=1A so its 36A right?It doesnt mind me i knew that its crap anyway . When the new 28nm will arrive and how much will they cost?

 

[geofelt]

1) The 6870 is better, and the price is better. But it is such a small jump over the GTX460 that you are likely to be disappointed by the increase.

2) No, you can't just add the v1 and v2 rails, and the -12v rail does not count. On the data plate for the psu, or somewhere, they should specify the maximum amps or watts/12 on the combined +12v rails. It will usually be somewhat less than the sum of the v1 and v2 rails. For example, this antec 550w psu has 4 rails of 20a each, yet the data plate shows a maximum of 45a, not 80a:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020

3) Your psu may well work with a high end card. The 38a is what EVGA recommends, but they tend to be conservative, knowing that some psu's are of lower capability for the wattage, like yours. I would try it first.

4) If you are inclined to get a better psu, I would suggest a quality 650-750 unit which can run a GTX580 or GTX590.
My short list of quality psu's would include Seasonic, Antec, XFX, Corsair, and PC P&C.

5) The 28nm 7000 series cards are due out perhaps in january, starting with midrange cards. The higher end stuff from amd and nvidia will probably be delayed to June or so. I expect them to be price competitive with their performance level but no bargain.

 

[geofelt]

6) Here is an article on microstuttering:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html

 

[kokes]

Hello people,

So i am planning to upgrade my GPU.Current System Specs:

CPU : i5 2500k Stock
GPU:Gainward GTX 460 768MB
RAM:Kingston 8GB 1333MHz
CPU COOLER:STOCK
CASE:TURBO-X PIANO
PSU:550W HEC-550w
Motherboard:GIGABYTE PH67A-UD3-B3
HDD:SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-II 3GB/S 32MB Buffer
Resolution : 1280x1020 ( 1080p soon )

I am throwing my GTX 460 away since it is not that enough for me.

Interests of GPU's :
First i wanted to get a 570 GTX but i saw someone saying that a CF 6870 would be beast.Checking it on the net was simple awsome and i was astonished.Better than a 5970 and from a 580 maybe?Simply awsome. The problem is that i found in general the problem of dual GPU's called "microstutter".Since i was so worried because i hate it a little i preffered to go single with no problems with a Gigabyte 3xWindforce GTX 570 but the 6870 are much better tho.What do you have to say or what you suggest to do?Is microstutter that serious issue?

Prices : 6870 CF is both 305pounds (140 each + shipping)
GTX 570 is 293pounds (+ shipping)

Notes :
If i go CF i need new PSU maybe a 850w or 750w and a new mobo(I already found the new parts which will suit me) because this one has PCIE 16x 4x slots and thats rubbish so what i need is 8x 8x both .
If i go for a GTX 570 on the other side i just need new PSU and keep the Mobo.
Overclocking : Yes
Prices are so important to me i am not going to spend that much .

Thanks .

Well.....seems like you are in the same spot I was in one month ago.

I had an ASUS 460GTX 768, and I made the move to an EVGA 570GTX, and all I can say is that I was pleasantly surprised with the performance boost - I can run BF3 on Ultra with very rare (if any) lag on the largest maps. Other games are not an issue at all with the 570GTX. I did NOT get the overclocked version, and personally am not a fan of risking my system for the small performance gained through overclocking; 5 fps is not worth it to me. I have a case with three fans, and the 570 runs much cooler and more efficiently than the 460.

So.....my two cents is to get the 570 GTX, then buy a second one when prices come down. This should set you up for a long time. You can usually skip 1-2 new generations of new GPUs before needing to upgrade.

 

[truexgaming]

1) The 6870 is better, and the price is better. But it is such a small jump over the GTX460 that you are likely to be disappointed by the increase.

2) No, you can't just add the v1 and v2 rails, and the -12v rail does not count. On the data plate for the psu, or somewhere, they should specify the maximum amps or watts/12 on the combined +12v rails. It will usually be somewhat less than the sum of the v1 and v2 rails. For example, this antec 550w psu has 4 rails of 20a each, yet the data plate shows a maximum of 45a, not 80a:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020

3) Your psu may well work with a high end card. The 38a is what EVGA recommends, but they tend to be conservative, knowing that some psu's are of lower capability for the wattage, like yours. I would try it first.

4) If you are inclined to get a better psu, I would suggest a quality 650-750 unit which can run a GTX580 or GTX590.
My short list of quality psu's would include Seasonic, Antec, XFX, Corsair, and PC P&C.

5) The 28nm 7000 series cards are due out perhaps in january, starting with midrange cards. The higher end stuff from amd and nvidia will probably be delayed to June or so. I expect them to be price competitive with their performance level but no bargain.

Lol you make my PSU even crap.I will look at it again.I found a corsair 850watt should i get it or go for a coolermaster 750watt? i will provide links later.I think i will get a 570 and i will add SLI later.Thanks for the info.So i will risk to burn my PSU before getting one?How can i understand it cants handle the power?And waiting for June is not that thing for me.

 

[truexgaming]

Well.....seems like you are in the same spot I was in one month ago.

I had an ASUS 460GTX 768, and I made the move to an EVGA 570GTX, and all I can say is that I was pleasantly surprised with the performance boost - I can run BF3 on Ultra with very rare (if any) lag on the largest maps. Other games are not an issue at all with the 570GTX. I did NOT get the overclocked version, and personally am not a fan of risking my system for the small performance gained through overclocking; 5 fps is not worth it to me. I have a case with three fans, and the 570 runs much cooler and more efficiently than the 460.

So.....my two cents is to get the 570 GTX, then buy a second one when prices come down. This should set you up for a long time. You can usually skip 1-2 new generations of new GPUs before needing to upgrade.

Thanks for the info !

 

[truexgaming]

The link for the PSU's
http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6643
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

 

[geofelt]

The link for the PSU's
http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6643
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

The coolermster GX-750W was not well reviewed by jonnyguru, one of the better psu reviewers.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=188

If you stick with my 4 quality brands you can hardly go wrong and will get full value for your dollar.

 

[geofelt]

Here is a good deal on a XFX 850w unit for $90 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

 

[truexgaming]

Here is a good deal on a XFX 850w unit for $90 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

Nice but i dont buy things from USA since i live in europe.A uk Store with paypal and delivery to greece would be awsome . The corsair 850 is good too right?

 

[geofelt]

Nice but i dont buy things from USA since i live in europe.A uk Store with paypal and delivery to greece would be awsome . The corsair 850 is good too right?

Corsair850 is very good too.

 

[truexgaming]

Corsair850 is very good too.

Ok i will go for the corsair its better priced and gets a score of 9.5 from jonnygurru whilw the XFX gets 9 and the corsair is on better price.

Thank you very much for your help.Do you have skype by the way?I want to have you for the future help i will need.