New GFX card advice

[PatriotCFS]

Well, after years of service from my 9500gt, I think it's time for retirement for my old card.

 

I was hoping for some input for a new card from you guys/gals. I was wanting to stay within a budget 300 USD or less, but at the same time get good performance and reliability.

 

I have been window-shopping at Newegg, and the selection is a little overwhelming.

 

Any thoughts?

[MTFDarkEagle]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565&cm_re=gtx_560_ti-_-14-127-565-_-Product

[PatriotCFS]

Thanks DarkEagle! :thumbup:

I think thats going to be the one I go with.

[PatriotCFS]

Well... my card came today and it looks like an impressive build, but it looks like my PSU doesnt have enough power plugs to run it...

 

Am I mistaken or do you need 4 power "ports" to run the card?

[EtherealN]

What you need is two PCI-e 6-pin power connectors. Which PSU do you have? My own PSU is a modular construction, and a pair of those only takes a single slot on the PSU.

 

EDIT: If you do not have that, you should have molex-PCIe adapters included in the packaging. (It's fairly standard, and my ASUS 560 had two. I prefer not using molex adapters, but it's better than nothing.) When connecting those - do NOT daisy-chain them; that is, do not have anything except the GPU on that molex.

Edited February 16, 2011 by EtherealN

[Mugenjin]

Excactly what PSU do you have? You should check how many amps the combined 12V rails have if you want to do the 2 molex - 1 pci-e connector thing. All that stuff is usually on a sticker on the side of the PSU.

[PatriotCFS]

Yeah, you guys are right... It did come with the adapters, which i would have to use because my PSU doesn't have the 6-pin connectors. Problem is that if I go that route, I fall short on rails to plug in to.

 

The PSU I have is a XION 560 watt

[MTFDarkEagle]

Could you state the specs of the rest of your system?

560w is pushing it...

If you have a heavy system, go for a 700 (750 would be even better)watt of a A-brand PSU. I can advise you on psu's if you require so, just drop me a pm if you need help :)

[Udat]

You can't go wrong with Corsairs HX series. Comes as 650, 750, 850 or 1000 watt. I'm using the 750 one and it should be more than enough unless you are going for serious overclocking and/or multiple high-end GPUs.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657%2050001459&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&SrchInDesc=corsair%20hx&Page=1&PageSize=20

[MTFDarkEagle]

^that!!

 

I'm using the 1000w version, more than enough POWAAAH! :P

[celticcoho]

^that!!

 

I'm using the 1000w version, more than enough POWAAAH! :P

 

Corsair 1000w here, both my desktops:thumbup:

[Cibit]

both my top end rigs incorporate 1KW and 1.1KW PSU's. The only part of a build never skimped upon.

 

If you replace your 560 go for as good as you can possibly afford:thumbup:

[MTFDarkEagle]

I'm with Cibit: don't save on the psu! It's almost the most important component!

[PatriotCFS]

I appreciate the help with this guys!

My system specs are...

I7 920 @ 3.2Ghz

ASUS P6T motherboard

12Gb DDR3 RAM

500Gb generic SATA hard drive

On-board audio

 

btw that 560gtx is as big as my kids playstation2 lol

Edited February 17, 2011 by Patriot*CFS*

[EtherealN]

fff, the 560 is a relatively small graphics card. :P

 

Check out the 580... ;)

 

And yes, Corsair HX is awesome, and I agree that the PSU is the most important component in a computer - at least as far as economy goes. Most PSU's are the most efficient at roughly 50% load (mine is 94% there, Corsair HX 850), so an "oversize" PSU can save you a lot of money on your electricity bill.

[MadTommy]

I'm running a nvidia gtx 480.. very impressed with it. Maybe you can get one for your budget, used if needed. Runs DCS perfectly, and everything else i throw at it.

 

And yes all powerful cards are huge these days....

[MTFDarkEagle]

Yes, they are big. I'm running a GTX295 which barelly fits :P

 

I actually had to modify my dad's pc case to be able to fit in a 8800gtx :P

 

Regarding the gtx480: Yes it's very fast as I've seen, but my suggestion on that would be to save a bit more and get the 580, as that is more energy efficient, colder, and faster :)

[PatriotCFS]

Well, the new PSU is on the way... I took Udat and EtherealNs' advice and went with the Corsair 850HX. It probably wont be here until monday.

 

Again thanks for all the help guys! :thumbup:

[Udat]

No problem!

 

By the way, I'm using the GTX 580 now, and I don't think you made a mistake getting the 560. Don't get me wrong, the 580 is AMAZING, but for just a handfull of dollars more total, you can get 2x gtx 560 in SLI mode, wich outclasses a single 580 performance-wise, and lets you run a triple monitor setup. I think your new HX850 will be enough if you ever feel the need.

 

Enjoy your new system, let us know how it works out for you :)

[Succellus]

1000W !!! Damn!!! Who s hair you want to dry with that ?

[MTFDarkEagle]

hx850 is a good choice for your system ;)

Let us know how it went :)

[EtherealN]

Not only a good choice - best PSU I ever bought. The voltage rails are rock solid with almost zero jitter. Makes for a stable and power-efficient platform. :)

[EtherealN]

1000W !!! Damn!!! Who s hair you want to dry with that ?

 

Don't make the mistake of thinking that a 1000W PSU by definition will draw 1000W. The rating is it's capacity, not what it actually draws. (Though it really is more complex than that, since capacity depends on which rails get the load.)

 

The whole point is that if you expect your machine to ever need ~500watts, a 1000w PSU is generally what you want to buy, since the PSU will be at the most efficient energy-wise around 50% capacity.

[celticcoho]

Don't make the mistake of thinking that a 1000W PSU by definition will draw 1000W. The rating is it's capacity, not what it actually draws. (Though it really is more complex than that, since capacity depends on which rails get the load.)

 

The whole point is that if you expect your machine to ever need ~500watts, a 1000w PSU is generally what you want to buy, since the PSU will be at the most efficient energy-wise around 50% capacity.

 

I Also Agree!!!!:thumbup:

[Cibit]

And please don't get fixated on http://folding.stanford.edu/ or your electricity bills will soar:helpsmilie: