Upgrading GPU for AMD Phenom II X4 BE

[disputer]

Hi there dear community.

I'm currently looking for a GPU to upgrade my system. I started playing Battlefield 3 a few days ago and I don't really like the performance of my current graphics card on it.

My current system specs:

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE @ 3,8 GHz OC
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2
Mainboard: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3
RAM: Corsair Value Select DDR3 1333 MHz RAM 2 x 2GB
Graphics: Radeon HD 5670 512 MB
Monitor: Benq G2420HDB @ 1920x1080
Power supply: Thermaltake Litepower 350W

So the thing is I want to buy a graphics card that can deal with Battlefield 3 on really high settings and it should also work with Diablo 3 which is coming in May I hope. I am also going to buy another two 2GB RAMs from the same type as I already have cause they kind of cost nothing anymore.

I know that I will also have to upgrade my power supply so maybe you can give me some tips on that too.

All in all I may want to upgrade the mainboard and processor during the year, maybe in summer. So I want to be prepared for a new CPU in the system too.

My budget for the graphics card is about 400€ and what it needs for the power supply.

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

For now you may be better waiting for something like a GTX 660 and seeing what price mark it comes in at. At the very least it may drive the AMD cards further down in price. But you will most definitely need to upgrade your PSU, 350W will not cut it

 

[disputer]

I may want to add that I have already taken some closer looks on the GTX 580 1,5GB edition. I still don't know if my processor or system in general is a bottleneck for this one.

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

A GTX 580 shouldn't really bottleneck but you will need to upgrade your PSU. A 600W with 42 amps on the 12 volt rail is about minimum for a 580

Edit: reason i say it shouldnt bottleneck is i run a 570 GPU on a 940 CPU OC'ed lower than yours and it runs fine

 

[disputer]

So a GTX 580 would be a good choice for the moment? I'm thinking about going to buy the upgrades tomorrow so I want to make sure to get the best out of it.

Local retailers offer the card from different vendors. I read that EVGA is kinda the best but thats the only one they don't offer.

They have got the card from Zotac, POV/TGT and Asus. But if EVGA really is worth more than the others I would wait another week and order it online.

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

GTX 580 is an excellent choice, the new gen AMD/Nvidia cards are better ofc but the 580 is still a beast. How much have you seen it for btw? the 5xx series had a price cut so would be good to make sure your shop has reduced it

I highly rate ASUS, fantastic design and great quality build and their custom cooling is second to none. Zotac is a good brand though i rate Gigabyte and MSI as better ones to go for.

 

[Zero_]

I'd second the suggestion of going for a GTX580 if you can afford it.

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

I'd second the suggestion of going for a GTX580 if you can afford it.

I presume you mean a GTX680 lol

and yes a GTX680 would be a great buy: 50% better benchmarks, lower power consumption, lower temps, etc... but its around £100 more expensive and the OP still needs a good PSU to power it

 

[disputer]

The cheapest GTX 580's with 1,5GB they offer are from Point of View and Zotac for about 380€. They got the overclocked ASUS version with 1,5GB for 440€.

Online I'd get the ASUS card with 1,2GB for about 320€.

 

[disputer]

From what I see the GTX 680 is settled at 500€ right now.

 

[disputer]

But my mainboard does not support PCIe 3.0 so it won't work out right?

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

http://www.ebuyer.com/257286-gigabyte-nvidia-gtx580-1536mb-384bit-ddr5-fan-2xdvi-mini-hdmi-pci-e-graphics-card-gv-n580ud-15i

http://www.ebuyer.com/265709-ocz-zx-series-850w-80-gold-psu-fully-modular-psu-ocz-zx850w-un

The card is 426 euros and the PSU is 131 euros. With these two you wont need to upgrade for quite sometime and the PSU is more than capable of running whatever the hell you chuck at it

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

PCIe 3.0 and 2.0 are interchangeable so yes it will work fine

 

[disputer]

PCIe 3.0 and 2.0 are interchangeable so yes it will work fine

Won't the PCIe 2.0 slow down the card then? I'm not that familiar with it, has been some years now since I built my system.

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

Won't the PCIe 2.0 slow down the card then? I'm not that familiar with it, has been some years now since I built my system.

Yes, but you wont notice it

EDIT: it is so minor very few things will notice it, if at all. Never mind FPS it wont even register on most tests

 

[mfleming001]

Won't the PCIe 2.0 slow down the card then? I'm not that familiar with it, has been some years now since I built my system.

No, a single GPU is not enough to saturate the bandwidth provided by a PCIe 2.0 16x slot.

 

[Riftkiller126]

I am also upgrading a Phenom 2 X4, but the GPU I got my eye on is the 7870, but I am unsure if it will bottleneck the sucker (its a 975, not a 955), sorry to barge in but this is related to my issue as well!

 

[disputer]

Hey guys. I bought the graphics card and power supply today and installed those components, including 2GB of new RAM. But when i switch the power supply on only my fans from the case will spin and flash their lights. Does anyone know what i could have done wrong?

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

Hey guys. I bought the graphics card and power supply today and installed those components, including 2GB of new RAM. But when i switch the power supply on only my fans from the case will spin and flash their lights. Does anyone know what i could have done wrong?

What PSU is it? try taking out the extra ram and booting it then try booting without the new card installed.

If it still will not boot then it sounds like a faulty PSU, or one not providing full power/ampage, and you will need to get it replaced

 

[smeg4brainsuk]

I am also upgrading a Phenom 2 X4, but the GPU I got my eye on is the 7870, but I am unsure if it will bottleneck the sucker (its a 975, not a 955), sorry to barge in but this is related to my issue as well!

It may bottleneck but not by much, the Phenom II's are brilliant, have you overclocked it?

 

[Riftkiller126]

No, I haven't built it yet, kinda why I asked, I either wanna get that card, or a EVGA 570. it just has to last me at least 1 1/2-2 years! what overclock you think would be good, I am getting a Hyper 212+ so no issues there!

 

[disputer]

No it wasn't the PSU at all. I didn't connect the power supply to the mainboard correctly so it didn't get any power. Fixed it now, but thank you anyway.

To end this topic, the GTX 580 is ******* awesome. Very nice performance, Battlefield 3 runs on Ultra settings without any problems or stuttering. Thanks for your help, I think the topic can be closed.