Best graphics card and PSU combo for $200 budget

[Breadlover]

I just bought this PC from BestBuy. I want to upgrade alil to the best graphics card and PSU combo possible for $200 budget. I will be playing games at 1920x1200, preferred settings at high or better. I've been eyeing these two HD Radeon 7770 and CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2. Is this combo a good choice or could I get better? Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[dudewitbow]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151093

MUCH better quality psu. on a budget, its better to not use corsairs psus, since most of their flagship models that get all the craze are the high end corsair builds(which in the end, part of them are seasonic based)

 

[Breadlover]

I was looking at that too but sadly it doesn't fit my case. My current PSU dimensions are W 6.0'' x L 5.5'' x H 3.5''

 

[refillable]

To be honest I don't like that 7770, I would recommend this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102967

That corsair CX500 seems decent.

 

[Breadlover]

I was actually considering that one as well. But is this the best I could get at this price range? Is it worth it to spend alil more for something better?

 

[purple stain]

I like the PSU dudewitbow suggested it is one of the best PSU's at it's price point.I've also owned it before and I can say it is a very nice PSU.

At your price point the best you could get is the 6850.It's about 10-15% faster than the 7770.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

How much more are you willing to spend if you do?

 

[Breadlover]

I have a slim-mid size case so my PSU selection is limited. I'm not sure which one to get exactly. Hmmm that does look better. I might pick that over the 7770 if I can find a good PSU that fits perfectly. I'm willing to spend up to $230.

 

[purple stain]

Your PC(the one in the link from bestbuy) is a mico-tower.It's just smaller but it use's the same standard ATX PSU's.The seasonic one is perfect.It's very small and should fit nicely.

So $170 for the GPU if the PSU is $60?

Then you could go as high as the 6870.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161396

 

[Breadlover]

Alright I'll get the Seasonic one then. So what made you choose that HIS one over this Sapphire one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

 

[purple stain]

At the same price point the HIS IceQ X is a better value.It's got a great aftermarket heatsink.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/his-radeon-6870-iceq-x-turbo-x-review/9

6870 Round-up

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/42796-hd-6870-roundup-diamond-powercolor-msi-sapphire-xfx-18.html

 

[Breadlover]

Oh wow that's amazing. I assume the fan noise would be kept to a minimum as well then.

 

[purple stain]

Yes it would.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/his-radeon-6870-iceq-x-turbo-x-review/10

 

[Breadlover]

After looking closely I noticed the review is on the Turbo x version. Would that review be similar to what I would be seeing with just the Iceq X version?

Edit:I decided to go with the HIS Iceq X, I'm hoping it fits perfectly. Otherwise I have to send it back and get something else.

 

[purple stain]

The Turbo X version use's the same heatsink as the Iceq X.It's just the O.C. version.

 

[Breadlover]

Alright thanks, they should arrive in a few days. Can't wait to install em and take em for a spin =]

 

[purple stain]

Yea me too.I got that exact same combo(just an XFX 6870) about a year ago.Now I upgraded to a 750 watt PSU and have 2 in crossfire.They really are great cards.The Seasonic PSU is just sitting on the table.Haven't decided what i'm gonna do with it yet.

What games are you looking to play? And at what resolution?

 

[Breadlover]

That's nice I might do the same in the future if I ever feel the need for it. But for now this should be quite enough. I'm planning to get GW2 when it comes out and that's about it. Gonna play it at 1920x1200 on a 25" monitor. I'm feeling quite broke right about now lol.

 

[purple stain]

You should have no problem maxing that game out.Yeah, all this money has gone into my PC and I still can't max out the top end games.But as a first time PC gamer you should be thrilled at how good it's going to look.Goodluck and happy gaming.

 

[Breadlover]

Everything came today, I had a lil trouble fitting em in but they did perfectly in the end. All set and ready to play some games now. Thanks for all the advice guys =]

 

[purple stain]

Does the Graphics card look huge when it's in the case? Is everything getting enough airflow?

 

[Breadlover]

Indeed it does, I was afraid it wouldn't fit. Even after measuring the inside of my case I was still hesitant about the card. Luckily there was just enough space all around that area. It looked like the casing of the card was gonna get in the way somehow but it didn't. I think the airflow is fine, my pc is just as silent as it was before, can't hear a thing.

 

[purple stain]

Yah it was like that for me too.So funny looking.Just make sure nothing is restricting the airflow around the fan.

What are your GPU temps like under load?

 

[Breadlover]

Yup all clear. Where do I look to find that out? Or do I need a program for that?

 

[dudewitbow]

if your using windows 7, there's a german gadget for that called gpu observer

 

[Breadlover]

Ok so right now its at 51 degrees Celsius Gpu load at 0%

Edit: At 47% GPU load tempts were at 64 degrees Celsius