Looking to upgrade, need expert help.

[trionix11]

Hello,

I currently have a ATI HD 5700 series Video Card on my Asus Essintino CG 1330 and I'm looking to upgrade in the 200-300 range. I wanna make sure and gets something that will last years and fit in my rig. Help! Thanks!

 

[renz496]

what is your system and psu spec? what is your main use for your machine?

 

[trionix11]

I have a AMD Phenom II X6 1035T 2.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1TB HDD. My primary use is def gaming ranging from BF3 to SWTOR. In BF3 It gets choppy a lot sometimes and I basically wanna be able to max out everything in SWTOR except shadows.

 

[trionix11]

I have a AMD Phenom II X6 1035T 2.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1TB HDD. My primary use is def gaming ranging from BF3 to SWTOR. In BF3 It gets choppy a lot sometimes and I basically wanna be able to max out everything in SWTOR except shadows.

Sorry, I also run Windows 7 Premium 64bit

 

[renz496]

preferred gaming resolution?

 

[trionix11]

I'm such a nub at all this... I play at 1440 x 900(i'm pretty sure I do) but I do plan on getting a bigger, better monitor quite soon. Prob the Samsung SyncMaster P2770FH - 27". Also if you have a good suggestion for another good gaming monitor I would more than welcome the help =D

 

[chaere]

My primary use is def gaming ranging from BF3 to SWTOR.

 

[renz496]

then this one should be good for you (assuming you will replace your monitor):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102954

about the monitor i'm sorry. personally i just pick any monitor that suits my need so i don't know which is which is better for gaming purpose

 

[trionix11]

Biggest thing I get confused about when it comes to video cards is PCI Express 2.1 x 16, 2.0 x 16, just x16.... If you could enlighten me on what's the real difference about them all? Does it matter which one I put in my comp or will it blow up if I put a 2.1 instead of a 2.0? Thank you for helping me =D

 

[trionix11]

Best answer selected by trionix11.

 

[renz496]

its easier if you read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express

from the article:

PCI Express 2.1 supports a large proportion of the management, support, and troubleshooting systems planned for full implementation in PCI Express 3.0. However, the speed is the same as PCI Express 2.0. Most motherboards sold currently come with PCI Express 2.0 connectors.

PCI-E have backward compatible with the older version of PCI-E so putting PCI-E 2.1 card into PCI-E 2.0 slot are fine. but it is commonly known that PCI-E 2.1 card have a little bit of trouble working with some PCI-E version 1.x (mostly older mobo, much more recent mobo supposed to be fine tough) which needs BIOS update so the card can be detected properly by the mobo