Upgrading from HD 6450 Budget $200

[Sharcy]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next 4 Weeks

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming; Skyrim Ultra Settings, League of Legends Ultra, CS:GO maxed.

System Specs:

Processor
Intel Core i7-2600 3.40GHz

Processor Main Features
64 bit Quad-Core Processor

Cache Per Processor
8MB L3 Cache

Memory
12GB DDR3 1333MHz, dual channel support

Hard Drive
1.5TB SATA 3 0Gb/s, 7200 rpm

Graphics
AMD Radeon HD 6450 1GB
Audio
Sound card - Integrated

Power Supply
280 watts, universal, manual switch

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Link To My Computer and Full Specs

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: CompUSA (so I can drive to the store) Tiger Direct falls under this. Newegg is great too.

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference, just looking for the recommended

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
*note: I want it to be able to run these games hopefully W/O overclocking the card. I want the card to last

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 1600x1200
Might upgrade to 1920 x 1080 monitor but that might require a card that costs more than 200.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Here are some of my suspicions based on my upgrading my card.

1) I might need a bigger case.
2) I need a new PSU

 

[locomoco321]

The PSU will DEFINITELY need to be upgraded.

I would start with this: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035

As for a video card, you will be left with only about $120 after the PSU, so you will be in the range of a 7770 GHz Edition from AMD, and a GTX 650 from nVidia. If you are willing to spend $200 after the PSU then you are left with a variety of option from the GTX 560 Ti, to Radeon HD 7850, GTX 480, and Radeon HD 6950 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987)

Upgrading the monitor would be great as the $200 cards will run at 1080p well.
Check out this guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html (It goes into detail)

If there is anything that I missed, or need help, please reply .

 

[lighter17]

Unfortunately you are going to need a new PSU and a decent one will run you almost $50. That really compromises your video card budget. If you can afford to go a little over $200 I would recommend a Radeon 7850.

XFX Core Edition FX-785A-ZNFC Radeon HD 7850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $169.99 after $10 rebate

or

ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5-V2 Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $177.99 after $10 rebate


Either of these can be powered by one of the following PSUs:

XFX 450W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 34A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS Bronze $44.99 after $10 rebate

OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W ATX 20/24PIN SLI Ready Modular Cables 135mm Fan Active PFC Power Supply $39.25 after $25 rebate

Either of those video cards should fit in your current case.

 

[Sharcy]

Alright, I'll be willing to shimmy a bit with the budget, since I almost knew I needed a new PSU. Anyone know if it'll even fit in my b0x?

 

[determinologyz]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next 4 Weeks

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming; Skyrim Ultra Settings, League of Legends Ultra, CS:GO maxed.

System Specs:

Processor
Intel Core i7-2600 3.40GHz

Processor Main Features
64 bit Quad-Core Processor

Cache Per Processor
8MB L3 Cache

Memory
12GB DDR3 1333MHz, dual channel support

Hard Drive
1.5TB SATA 3 0Gb/s, 7200 rpm

Graphics
AMD Radeon HD 6450 1GB
Audio
Sound card - Integrated

Power Supply
280 watts, universal, manual switch

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Link To My Computer and Full Specs

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: CompUSA (so I can drive to the store) Tiger Direct falls under this. Newegg is great too.

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference, just looking for the recommended

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
*note: I want it to be able to run these games hopefully W/O overclocking the card. I want the card to last

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 1600x1200
Might upgrade to 1920 x 1080 monitor but that might require a card that costs more than 200.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Here are some of my suspicions based on my upgrading my card.

1) I might need a bigger case.
2) I need a new PSU[/quotemsgg]

GTX 650 Ti is coming out as well

 

[emperor piehead]

on the graphics the best would probaly one of the lower end 7870 they are great and prices are geting to the low $200's. for psu corsair cx or tx psu are good and the tx can come in a semi moudlar format(less cables).

 

[Sharcy]

Seems good. So far I've seen great replies. This would also change things a bit. I was thinking of just selling the entire rig and I would have a budget of about 1,000 dollars just to start over. I honestly wish I had just built my own instead of keeping the one that was given :/

If the sale goes through, I would have the expected buy time set for around December.

 

[determinologyz]

Seems good. So far I've seen great replies. This would also change things a bit. I was thinking of just selling the entire rig and I would have a budget of about 1,000 dollars just to start over. I honestly wish I had just built my own instead of keeping the one that was given :/

If the sale goes through, I would have the expected buy time set for around December.

I was in the same position when i bought my last dell i felt so limited and when you build your own you know exactly whats in there and with 1000 u can make moves and upgrade later on if needed so yea..

 

[Sharcy]

Best answer selected by Sharcy.