Need some GPU buying tips.

[totalnoob1]

I'm looking to buy a new GPU for 180$ -220$ to replace my old AMD Radeon HD 3800.
I would like to get some suggestions on which GPU to buy.
(currently interested in R9 270x Gigabyte).

I have old Gigabyte GA-MA770-DS3 (rev 2.0) which has PCI-E 2.0 . Will PCI-E 3.0 GPU work on my PCI-E 2.0 Motherboard?

I believe my MS Industrial PRO-550ATX (550 W) will support my GPU. Correct me if i'm wrong.

Current System:
AMD Phenom II x4 960T
AMD Radeon HD 3800
6gb DDR2 RAM
MS Industrial PRO-550ATX (550 W)
Gigabyte GA-MA770-DS3 (rev 2.0)

 

[iAboodz]

the 270x is the best choice for you at that price, your system supports it and you'd be 100% fine

Edit: You also can go for an r9 280, but it would need a good quality 550W psu like corsair or seasonic, I'm not sure about yours. So 270x is to be safe

 

[shaheer ahmad]

you can not enjoy with r9 270x on this pc...overclock it and get r9 270x

 

[sammy sung]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202099&cm_re=r9_280-_-14-202-099-_-Product

Definitely over the 270x, especially if you one day plan to crossfire/multi monitor

Also comes with a free game. Or you could look into r9-280's elsewhere from sellers that participate in AMD's Never Settle campaign

 

[totalnoob1]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202099&cm_re=r9_280-_-14-202-099-_-Product

Definitely over the 270x, especially if you one day plan to crossfire/multi monitor

Also comes with a free game. Or you could look into r9-280's elsewhere from sellers that participate in AMD's Never Settle campaign

Won't psu be problem with 280?

 

[sammy sung]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202099&cm_re=r9_280-_-14-202-099-_-Product

Definitely over the 270x, especially if you one day plan to crossfire/multi monitor

Also comes with a free game. Or you could look into r9-280's elsewhere from sellers that participate in AMD's Never Settle campaign

Won't psu be problem with 280?

550W should be enough. Though you could have 600 or 650W PSU, if you feel that you might do some minor upgrades, overclocking

 

[iAboodz]

550W is enough on a trusted good psu, and you would still be losing your psu lifetime as you will be on its limits. MS Industrial is not really known to be reliable I WOULD NOT trust it for an R9 280.

 

[coozie7]

From what I recall the HD3800 use a single 6 pin PCI-E connector, so I'd be happy suggesting you look at cards that use the same, single power connector, which rules out the R9 270X and R9 280, if the PSU is several years old it's already lost some of its output anyway and I just don't feel comfortable recommending something so powerful on an unknown power supply.
So, I'll suggest you look a little lower: R9 270, HD7850 or the excellent GTX750Ti would still be substantial upgrades: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html and, in the case of the GTX750, use less power than the HD3800 already installed.

 

[totalnoob1]

From what I recall the HD3800 use a single 6 pin PCI-E connector, so I'd be happy suggesting you look at cards that use the same, single power connector, which rules out the R9 270X and R9 280, if the PSU is several years old it's already lost some of its output anyway and I just don't feel comfortable recommending something so powerful on an unknown power supply.
So, I'll suggest you look a little lower: R9 270, HD7850 or the excellent GTX750Ti would still be substantial upgrades: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html and, in the case of the GTX750, use less power than the HD3800 already installed.

What can happen if put R9 270x on bad psu? Like blue screen, random restarts or can it damage the gpu?

 

[sammy sung]

All of the above, with power downs possibly resulting in the loss of your psu altogether, as well as it taking other parts with it potentially.

 

[totalnoob1]

Will corsair cx600 support 270x or can you suggest something better and cheaper?

 

[sammy sung]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438012

500W 80+ Bronze $29.99 after rebate