Help me upgrade my GPU and PSU (again)

[ocada]

About two years ago, I posted this thread looking for some upgrade advice: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/283082-33-bucks

Everyone was very helpful and I've been running the following rig for the past two years:

HP p6310f which has a AMD 630 anthlon II x4(2.8 ghz), 6 gigs ram ddr3, 1 terrabyte HD.

I got a GTS 250 and a BFG 450watt PSU to actually make the system play games. It worked very well until I got BF3, which I'm playing on pretty middling settings. I also bought a 27" Samsung LED monitor. Now I want to upgrade.

Here is some criteria:

I'm looking to spend between $200-300 for both the GPU and if I need a new PSU, that as well. I'm not someone who needs super ULTRA settings, but obviously if I can get there on my budget I'd be happy to make it happen.

I've read that the AMD 6870 is a good buy at around the $160 range. I also was intrigued by the 7850 at around the $260. I imagine the 7850 is better, but how significant of an upgrade would this be compared to the 6870? Also, what PSU should I get with these?

So couple of questions:

1. First, is my CPU going to bottleneck a GPU upgrade?
2. Which GPU should I get?
3. Based on that GPU what PSU should I get?

 

[Zero_]

The HD7850 consumes less power than your GTS250, so it should be fine with your PSU. BUT, your CPU is very likely to bottleneck this card.

If you can spend about $60 more (say, maybe sell the GTS250 + CPU) you can get a Phenom II X4 965 for around $115 to complement the HD7850 better.

 

[assassin123]

first you need to have 600w or higher psu then 2nd you need to have 6950 as its cheaper +it can also be unlocked to 6970 it will also not bottelneck your system

 

[geekapproved]

Actually you posted the same post yesterday:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/354147-33-help-upgrade-again#t2654975

Why do you keep posting the same post 3-4 times, your question was already answered.

 

[ocada]

Actually you posted the same post yesterday:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/354147-33-help-upgrade-again#t2654975

Why do you keep posting the same post 3-4 times, your question was already answered.

I noticed that post was on the UK site. Not sure how much cross over there is so I posted it here as well.

 

[ocada]

The HD7850 consumes less power than your GTS250, so it should be fine with your PSU. BUT, your CPU is very likely to bottleneck this card.

If you can spend about $60 more (say, maybe sell the GTS250 + CPU) you can get a Phenom II X4 965 for around $115 to complement the HD7850 better.

Im a hardware novice. I've installed a GPU and PSu before, but nothing more than that. How complicated is installing a motherboard?