Upgrading from using the Intel HD 3000 graphics; Need Help/Advice!

[yayap7]

Hey, I have a couple of questions. I am going to upgrade the graphics of my recently built PC. I didn't get a lot of things for it at the start because I wanted to make sure I could afford it, build it, and actually use it.( I am mostly a Mac person) So I got mostly barebones stuff so I could do normal computing with it, but I got a big case because I knew I would probably upgrade and expand things/ components later. It's been a little over three months and I think I need an actual graphics card; I cannot play Skyrim, Bioshock, Bastion, MassEffect 3, and other PC games on it well because the computer is having to work harder trying to give sufficient graphics and processing from the same CPU. I have been researching and asking around and I think, for my budget of around $180, the best thing that I can get (from NVidia) is the GTX 560. Not the GTX 560 Ti, as I only have a 500W PSU, which I now regret getting such a low wattage PSU...but it will do for now.

I am thinking of getting either the Nvidia GTX 550 Ti, or the GTX 560. BUT my question's are::

- What is the Radeon equivalent(or close to in terms of graphics performance) of the NVidia's 550 Ti or 560?? _Depending on prices and benchmarks, I might get a Radeon that is like the GTX 560.



-Also, I'm just wondering; what is the Intel Core i5 2500K Intel HD 3000's graphics equivalent to with the grade/ pricing of an actual GPU?



I just want my computer to operate well and not be constantly slowed down by the CPU trying to do two things at once. I don't want to have to get another upgrade in at least a year or so! Max price is around $180!

Thanks!



Here are my PC build specs::

Intel Core i5-2500K @ 4.0GHz

Gigabyte GA -Z68X-UD3H-B3 1155 LGA Motherboard

Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 RAM 1600 RAM

OCZ ModXStream-Pro 500W 80+ PSU

Hyper 212+ CPU cooler

Hitachi 1TB 7200 RPM HardDrive

Samsung 22X Read/Write Optical Drive

OEM 64Bit Windows 7

Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX computer case



I am also planing on getting the Sidewinder X4 keyboard.

 

[DM186]

Your i5 is the best for gaming and eveything else looks good except your PSU which is on the tier 3 of PSU's. Tier 1 best Tier 5 worst. The 560 card will run better than one 550 Ti. First link 550 ti vs. 560 non ti. second link the list of PSU's. Good luck to you

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/541?vs=543

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

 

[amuffin]

6870. You can power the 560ti with the psu you have.

 

[yayap7]

6870. You can power the 560ti with the psu you have.

Which one would be more worth it? I really can't spend much more than $180 at the moment.. But both are really nice GPU's.

 

[yayap7]

Your i5 is the best for gaming and eveything else looks good except your PSU which is on the tier 3 of PSU's. Tier 1 best Tier 5 worst. The 560 card will run better than one 550 Ti. First link 550 ti vs. 560 non ti. second link the list of PSU's. Good luck to you

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/541?vs=543

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

Thanks!
How much does 1 and 2 Gigs of on onboard RAM matter with GPU's?

 

[amuffin]

6870. This one is $145 after rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

 

[DM186]

Thanks!
How much does 1 and 2 Gigs of on onboard RAM matter with GPU's?

2gigs of vram is used for high resolution over 1920 x 1200 or you use more that one monitor and of course the price.

 

[jaguarskx]

It would also help you if you also listed what type of monitor you have. I will assume you have a 1920x1080 resolution monitor. The higher the resolution, the more GPU processing power you need.

At $180 the two most powerful cards are the GeForce GTX 560 Ti (not to be confused with the more powerful GTX 560 Ti 448) and the Radeon HD 6870. The GTX 560 Ti is the clearly the more powerful of the two. It is also rather power hungry with a maximum power consumption of 202w compared to 163w for the Radeon HD 6870. Click below for benchmarks.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Palit/GeForce_GTX_550_Ti_Sonic/6.html

 

[yayap7]

2gigs of vram is used for high resolution over 1920 x 1200 or you use more that one monitor and of course the price.

OK, thanks, I am only using 1920x1080p(Fullscreen) at the moment with DVI.

 

[yayap7]

It would also help you if you also listed what type of monitor you have. I will assume you have a 1920x1080 resolution monitor. The higher the resolution, the more GPU processing power you need.

At $180 the two most powerful cards are the GeForce GTX 560 Ti (not to be confused with the more powerful GTX 560 Ti 448) and the Radeon HD 6870. The GTX 560 Ti is the clearly the more powerful of the two. It is also rather power hungry with a maximum power consumption of 202w compared to 163w for the Radeon HD 6870. Click below for benchmarks.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Palit/GeForce_GTX_550_Ti_Sonic/6.html

OK, thanks, yeah using DVI 1920x1080(at fullscreen) monitor with the PC.