GPU Choices & General Machine setup

[gc28]

I have recently installed the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 card it runs well but for FIFA & Watchdogs
I'm suffering a little lag when the machine is trying to generate new graphics I have had a previous discussion about overclocking but i'm a newcomer and not too fond of the idea.

So do I upgrade the GPU or go for the i7 processor?

It looks like the GPU is the general thought so i have a choice of gpu's i could go for, your opinions are needed if you guys have the time, Thanks

It's probably out of these two:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EVGA-GeForce-Cooling-Graphics-Display/dp/B00E9I99WE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1412703361&sr=8-6&keywords=4gb+graphics+card

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MSI-Nvidia-GeForce-Gaming-Graphics/dp/B00E5V2SOQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1412703361&sr=8-3&keywords=4gb+graphics+card

The price here seems so low compared to the others that i'm worried about the gap in performace and possible problems with it being an AMD:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-270X-Graphics-Card-PCI-E/dp/B00HCLLOUK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1412703361&sr=8-4&keywords=4gb+graphics+card


I like this but is right at the top of my budget:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GTX770-Nvidia-Graphics-Memory/dp/B00GNE0BVK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412705910&sr=8-2&keywords=GTX+770+4gb


Current Specs:

Operating System
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i3 540 @ 3.07GHz 62 °C
Clarkdale 32nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 562MHz (6-6-6-15)
Motherboard
MSI H55M-E33(MS-7636) (CPU 1) 56 °C
Graphics
G2420HDBL (1920x1080@60Hz)
2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (Gigabyte) 31 °C

 

[clutchc]

GTX 770 > GTX 760 > R9-270X
But your aging 1st gen i3 is not helping matters. It may even be bottlenecking the GTX 660. For that class of games at 1920x1080p resolution, you really need a quad core. Unfortunately, finding one for the 1156 socket will probably be a search in the used CPU section.

 

[gc28]

Thanks, I've found the quad core i7 for my socket and may get that first

Do I have anyway of telling if bottle-necking is the issue?

 

[sora]

I think the Gigabyte GTX 770 would be your best choice.

 

[clutchc]

Thanks, I've found the quad core i7 for my socket and may get that first

Do I have anyway of telling if bottle-necking is the issue?

If you can monitor your CPU usage during a game and notice the CPU is at or near 100% usage, it is almost a sure bet that the CPU is bottlenecking the gfx card. Especially if the GPU is way less than 100% usage at that same time.

 

[gc28]

I think the Gigabyte GTX 770 would be your best choice.

Thanks, I'm a little worried that my CPU isn't good enough to make the best of such a high end card though,
or am i focusing too much on the CPU performance?

 

[gc28]

Thanks, I've found the quad core i7 for my socket and may get that first

Do I have anyway of telling if bottle-necking is the issue?

If you can monitor your CPU usage during a game and notice the CPU is at or near 100% usage, it is almost a sure bet that the CPU is bottlenecking the gfx card. Especially if the GPU is way less than 100% usage at that same time.

Great i'll try that later,Although the i7 is £80 so probably worth a shot anyway!

Any opinion on this card as an upgrade?
At £170 It looks good to me?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201182404081?_trksid=p2060778...

 

[clutchc]

Thanks, I've found the quad core i7 for my socket and may get that first

Do I have anyway of telling if bottle-necking is the issue?

If you can monitor your CPU usage during a game and notice the CPU is at or near 100% usage, it is almost a sure bet that the CPU is bottlenecking the gfx card. Especially if the GPU is way less than 100% usage at that same time.

Great i'll try that later,Although the i7 is £80 so probably worth a shot anyway!

Any opinion on this card as an upgrade?
At £170 It looks good to me?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201182404081?_trksid=p2060778...

Not with your current processor. But with the i7, possibly... depending on the exact i7 you are considering.

 

[RobCrezz]

None of them GPUs are a huge upgrade. I would upgrade your CPU/mobo, then wait for the GTX 960 to upgrade.

 

[gc28]

None of them GPUs are a huge upgrade. I would upgrade your CPU/mobo, then wait for the GTX 960 to upgrade.

Thanks Guys, I ordered the Gigabyte-GTX770 but before installing it I've checked for bottle-necking running games and it seems the CPU is running at between 95-100, looks like that is where my problem is so now i'm thinking of a new CPU and mobo, any suggestions welcome!

 

[RobCrezz]

None of them GPUs are a huge upgrade. I would upgrade your CPU/mobo, then wait for the GTX 960 to upgrade.

Thanks Guys, I ordered the Gigabyte-GTX770 but before installing it I've checked for bottle-necking running games and it seems the CPU is running at between 95-100, looks like that is where my problem is so now i'm thinking of a new CPU and mobo, any suggestions welcome!

Built a pc for a friend recently using this i5 bundle, its a great deal!
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-010-AS&groupid=2833&catid=2836

This DIY motherboard bundle consists of a tried and tested combination components: Asus H81M-K Motherboard, Intel Core i5 4440 Quad Core CPU and TeamGroup Elite Black 8GB 1600MHz Memory


£228.97 inc VAT

 

[gc28]

None of them GPUs are a huge upgrade. I would upgrade your CPU/mobo, then wait for the GTX 960 to upgrade.

Thanks Guys, I ordered the Gigabyte-GTX770 but before installing it I've checked for bottle-necking running games and it seems the CPU is running at between 95-100, looks like that is where my problem is so now i'm thinking of a new CPU and mobo, any suggestions welcome!

Built a pc for a friend recently using this i5 bundle, its a great deal!
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-010-AS&groupid=2833&catid=2836

This DIY motherboard bundle consists of a tried and tested combination components: Asus H81M-K Motherboard, Intel Core i5 4440 Quad Core CPU and TeamGroup Elite Black 8GB 1600MHz Memory


£228.97 inc VAT

Thanks, Do you think an i5 is up to it?

 

[RobCrezz]

Up to what?

This i5 is top tier for gaming, can handle any GPU including top end GTX 980.

 

[clutchc]

+1^

 

[gc28]

Thanks for the help guys, Looks like i need more sata's on the MOBO and am o not better of going for pci 3?

 

[RobCrezz]

Thanks for the help guys, Looks like i need more sata's on the MOBO and am o not better of going for pci 3?

Yeah if you need more than 4 Sata connections then you should look at a H87/H97 board. PCI-E 3 doesnt really make any difference for a single GPU config.