Upgrade - $200 - video card, or something else? Parts list included

[Shinners]

CPU
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge Quad-Core 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

Video Card
SAPPHIRE 100311-3SR Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

MoBo
ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Memory
2x CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

Power Supply
XFX PRO850W XXX Edition Semi-Modular 80 Plus Silver Certified 850 Watt Active PFC Power Supply

OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit

I'm looking to do an upgrade because I've started to have to drop my resolution to play games. I'm mostly playing WildStar and Titanfall right now, though there are some games coming up that I'm excited for. I'm not a huge FPS guy, so I don't need something that's cutting-edge; mostly RPGs and RTSs.

My thoughts were that a graphics card upgrade would be the best bang for the buck. I want to stay in the $200 range, though that's a bit flexible. I also wouldn't mind splitting that up between components.

Any suggestions, both for what components will give me the best boost, as well as what to get?

Thanks!

 

[Embra]

Everything looks ok but you could use a GPU update. Fro $200, you could get a R9 270x.
If you can wait and stretch to $300 you can get a better upgrade.

 

[Shinners]

I could both wait and stretch to $300 (the waiting will help with that). What should I look to pick up, and when is it coming out?

 

[Embra]

I could both wait and stretch to $300 (the waiting will help with that). What should I look to pick up, and when is it coming out?

Waiting would give you a better bump in gaming with $300. You could be looking at a 280x/770.
The 270x is a pretty good card at 1080p, the 280x will play many more games on ultra for 1080p.

 

[coozie7]

Moving to a R9 270X will be a very small improvement, you'll really need to look towards the R9 280X/GTX770 class for a meaningful upgrade: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html
Good news is that the main games you like to play all like a strong CPU and your system has just that; A good, solid CPU capable of running a much faster card without restricting its performance. Also you were wise enough to install (or upgrade to) a good PSU, so you can devote the whole of your budget to the one part (which is nice).
Unless you're really desperate, I'd advise you to hold off because solid rumour has it that Nvidia will FINALLY unleash their Maxwell cored desktop cards October/November time, and if they are anything like as good as the GTX750 the wait will be worth it.

 

[Shinners]

Moving to a R9 270X will be a very small improvement, you'll really need to look towards the R9 280X/GTX770 class for a meaningful upgrade: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html
Good news is that the main games you like to play all like a strong CPU and your system has just that; A good, solid CPU capable of running a much faster card without restricting its performance. Also you were wise enough to install (or upgrade to) a good PSU, so you can devote the whole of your budget to the one part (which is nice).
Unless you're really desperate, I'd advise you to hold off because solid rumour has it that Nvidia will FINALLY unleash their Maxwell cored desktop cards October/November time, and if they are anything like as good as the GTX750 the wait will be worth it.

Awesome, thanks everyone! A lot to think about, but it looks like I'll be waiting until October/November!