Advice on Upgrading

[Seraphi]

Hello,

I think my graphics card might be out of commission =\. Playing Mass Effect 3, there is a distinct decline is graphics quality, particularly on the armours, kinda looking like someone blurred everything.

My question is can I get away with simply swapping in a new graphics card? I only want a quick upgrade so i was eyeing the 7850 or 7870.

This is my current build:

CPU: AMD 550BE [unlocked to 4 cores]
MOB: MA770T-UD3
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Universal Hyper TX3
RAM: 4GB DDR3 Kingston
GPU: ATI Radeon 5770 [powercolor]
HDD: 1TB samsung f3 7200rpm
DVD: Liteon DVD
PSU: Vantec Ion2+ 600W
Case: NZXT Apollo Case Black

If i cant get away with a quick gpu swap out, i might look at overhauling it. But i intend to build a complete new rig in about a year and delegate this one to hooking up to a tv as a family computer.

Also, will this Motherboard be capable of supporting an SSD?

So opinions? GPU swapout?

 

[jerreddredd]

the HD 7850 or a 7870 would be a good choices for gaming. a SSD would work, but will be limited by the SATA 3gb interface on you MB.

you should see significant improvement when upgrading the GPU, but the CPU will now be your limiting factor instead of the GPU in some games.

for now the GPU would be a good upgrade. you can always move it to you new system later.

 

[Seraphi]

Thank you for the reply!!!

Well I guess I might do a bit of an overhaul then, I don't want to have an ssd and not use it to its full potential. But out of curiosity, what GPU would be more in line with the process power of my CPU? a GTX 560? I might consider buying another case, and putting the guts into there with a quickfix upgrade.

I like my case, so I ll keep that, and not much point in swapping out the dvd drive.

How does this look:

CPU: Intel Core i5 3470 $199
Mobo: Asrock B75M $69
RAM: G.Skill Ares 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 $59
GPU: Sapphire 2GB AMD Radeon HD7850 OC $265
SSD: Intel 330 - 120GB (Already Bought)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB (ST2000DM001) $115
PSU: Antec VP450P $52

 

[jerreddredd]

Thank you for the reply!!!

Well I guess I might do a bit of an overhaul then, I don't want to have an ssd and not use it to its full potential. But out of curiosity, what GPU would be more in line with the process power of my CPU? a GTX 560? I might consider buying another case, and putting the guts into there with a quickfix upgrade.

I like my case, so I ll keep that, and not much point in swapping out the dvd drive.

How does this look:

CPU: Intel Core i5 3470 $199
Mobo: Asrock B75M $69
RAM: G.Skill Ares 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 $59
GPU: Sapphire 2GB AMD Radeon HD7850 OC $265
SSD: Intel 330 - 120GB (Already Bought)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB (ST2000DM001) $115
PSU: Antec VP450P $52

looks good except the PSU. get an 80+ rated PSU from Antec, Corsair, seagate or XFX. the corsair CX500 is a good all round choice.

 

[Seraphi]

looks good except the PSU. get an 80+ rated PSU from Antec, Corsair, seagate or XFX. the corsair CX500 is a good all round choice.

How does the OCZ Fatal1ty Series 550W Modular run? I wouldnt mind the modular to cut down on the wires. My current rig has wires kinda all over the place, though I have placed a few in to the 5'25'' area, since i only have a dvd drive.

If not i will go for the CX500.

 

[jerreddredd]

How does the OCZ Fatal1ty Series 550W Modular run? I wouldnt mind the modular to cut down on the wires. My current rig has wires kinda all over the place, though I have placed a few in to the 5'25'' area, since i only have a dvd drive.

If not i will go for the CX500.

it should be ok.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3985/three-550w-psus-for-different-prices

realhardtech PSU database:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page1373.htm