Suggestions for New GFX Card and Power Supply

TechJargonOnly

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I've (finally) decided to upgrade my graphics card, and would like external opinions on which options are best. I would prefer to spend within a $240 budget, which would have to suffice for the costs of both a graphics card and power supply, as my current PSU is a stock model with a measly 300W output. I would greatly appreciate any ideas, suggestions, or insight. Thanks in advance.

*Also, I don't make online purchases, so retailer available items would be helpful.
 

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Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz6GB DDR3 SDRAMASUS R9 290 DCUII
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Gateway DX4860
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz
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6GB DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS R9 290 DCUII
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Intel H67 Express
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Samsung SyncMaster 2253LW
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1680x1050 @ 60Hz
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SATA II 1.5TB Hard Drive
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Seasonic M12II 620W Active PFC 80+ Bronze Certified
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HP 5189
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Razer Lachesis 5600
Internet Speed
Shaw High Speed 25Mbps
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AVG Antivirus Free Edition 2015
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Google Chrome
Here is the new CX500 model, the CX500M. It is semi-modular and an all around great PSU.

As for a video card.....what are your expectations? After that PSU, that leaves $160-170 left for a graphics card. Is the $240 firm, or can you add a few more dollars to it?

I just saw the part about not buying online........I have no idea what is local to you, but expect to pay a little more for it, or stay within the $240 budget and get less for your money.

Just to add: If you DO decide to do some online shopping, NCIX is the place to do it since you are in Canada.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5GHzCorsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4) @1866MHz CL 9-9-...EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4) @1866MHz CL 9-9-9-24 1T
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EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW
Sound Card
Onboard Audio
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Dell S2309W
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 830 128GB SSD - OS
(4) Seagate 5TB HDD
(1) Seagate 2TB HDD
PSU
Seasonic X750 80+ Gold Full Modular
Case
Antec Eleven Hundred Super Mid Tower
Cooling
Intel Liquid Cooler
Keyboard
Max Nighthawk X8 Mechanical keyboard
Mouse
Mionix Naos 7000
Internet Speed
50 Mbps Down / 10 Mbps Up
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Microsoft Security Essentials/Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
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Chrome/Firefox
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Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's
Asus RT-N66R Wireless Router

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Win 7 Ultimate x64FX-8350 @ 4.6 GHz so farADATA XPG V1 Series Black 8GB DDR3 1600Sapphire R9 270x Dual-X
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Me
OS
Win 7 Ultimate x64
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FX-8350 @ 4.6 GHz so far
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Asus M5A97 EVO
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ADATA XPG V1 Series Black 8GB DDR3 1600
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Sapphire R9 270x Dual-X
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Xonar DGX w/ Corsair Vengence 1300
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Acer S232HL Abid
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120 GB OCZ Vertex 3
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Antec Earthwatts 650W Green
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Antec Three Hundred
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Cooler Master 212 EVO
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Logitech G510
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Logitech G500s
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35000/3000
Here is the new CX500 model, the CX500M. It is semi-modular and an all around great PSU.

As for a video card.....what are your expectations? After that PSU, that leaves $160-170 left for a graphics card. Is the $240 firm, or can you add a few more dollars to it?

I just saw the part about not buying online........I have no idea what is local to you, but expect to pay a little more for it, or stay within the $240 budget and get less for your money.

Just to add: If you DO decide to do some online shopping, NCIX is the place to do it since you are in Canada.

Thank you for the reply. I suppose I should begin to shop online, and I am flexible with that budget. I meant to confer that it would be more convenient for me if I had items available in retail stores, such as Future Shop or Best Buy.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz6GB DDR3 SDRAMASUS R9 290 DCUII
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gateway DX4860
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz
Memory
6GB DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS R9 290 DCUII
Sound Card
Intel H67 Express
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 2253LW
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
SATA II 1.5TB Hard Drive
PSU
Seasonic M12II 620W Active PFC 80+ Bronze Certified
Keyboard
HP 5189
Mouse
Razer Lachesis 5600
Internet Speed
Shaw High Speed 25Mbps
Antivirus
AVG Antivirus Free Edition 2015
Browser
Google Chrome
Here is the new CX500 model, the CX500M. It is semi-modular and an all around great PSU.

As for a video card.....what are your expectations? After that PSU, that leaves $160-170 left for a graphics card. Is the $240 firm, or can you add a few more dollars to it?

I just saw the part about not buying online........I have no idea what is local to you, but expect to pay a little more for it, or stay within the $240 budget and get less for your money.

Just to add: If you DO decide to do some online shopping, NCIX is the place to do it since you are in Canada.

Thank you for the reply. I suppose I should begin to shop online, and I am flexible with that budget. I meant to confer that it would be more convenient for me if I had items available in retail stores, such as Future Shop or Best Buy.
Do yourself a favor order online and have it shiped Best Buy is Robery !
 

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Windows 10 Home Premium 64bit sp1Intel I7-6700K @ 4.6 Ghz 1.344 volts everyday OC32GB G-Skill TridentZ 3200mhz 16-18-18-38 DDR4Sli Gigabyte Windforce GTX 980 G1
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CoreI7-6700K MrFingerIII Special Builds
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Windows 10 Home Premium 64bit sp1
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Intel I7-6700K @ 4.6 Ghz 1.344 volts everyday OC
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Asrock Fatality K6 Z170 Socket 1151
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32GB G-Skill TridentZ 3200mhz 16-18-18-38 DDR4
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Sli Gigabyte Windforce GTX 980 G1
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AC97 Creative Rage Tactic 3D Headphones Bluetooth
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27" Asus ROG Swift PG278Q G-Sync 48" Vizio Smart HD TV
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2560x1440p 27"- 48" Currently Gaming at 2560x1440p Res 2K
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250GB Samsung Evo840SSD Seagate baracuda 500 GB WD Mybook 500Gb 1TB Seagate Barracuda
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HX1050w Corsair Silver 80plus certified crosfire/sli
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Enthod Pro Full Tower
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Corsair H110i GT 280 mm High Performance WaterBlock
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Logitech wireless keyboard
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Logitech wireless mouse
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Cox Cable 100+ mb
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WebRoot Spysweeper with Antivirus
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My Other Rig is a AMD FX8320E @4.6Ghz 16GB Ballistic Sport Ram
Mobo Asrock Fatality 990FX 120GB OCZ SSD 1TB Seagate Barracuda Corsair H75 Cooling PSU Corsair CX750
GPU GTX Gigabyte 970G1
Here is the new CX500 model, the CX500M. It is semi-modular and an all around great PSU.

As for a video card.....what are your expectations? After that PSU, that leaves $160-170 left for a graphics card. Is the $240 firm, or can you add a few more dollars to it?

I just saw the part about not buying online........I have no idea what is local to you, but expect to pay a little more for it, or stay within the $240 budget and get less for your money.

Just to add: If you DO decide to do some online shopping, NCIX is the place to do it since you are in Canada.

Thank you for the reply. I suppose I should begin to shop online, and I am flexible with that budget. I meant to confer that it would be more convenient for me if I had items available in retail stores, such as Future Shop or Best Buy.
Do yourself a favor order online and have it shiped Best Buy is Robery !
Hah, alright then.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz6GB DDR3 SDRAMASUS R9 290 DCUII
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gateway DX4860
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz
Memory
6GB DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS R9 290 DCUII
Sound Card
Intel H67 Express
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 2253LW
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
SATA II 1.5TB Hard Drive
PSU
Seasonic M12II 620W Active PFC 80+ Bronze Certified
Keyboard
HP 5189
Mouse
Razer Lachesis 5600
Internet Speed
Shaw High Speed 25Mbps
Antivirus
AVG Antivirus Free Edition 2015
Browser
Google Chrome
What are your expectations out of a new graphics card? Do you need it to play games @ 1080p on the highest settings available? Multiple monitors? Or just reliably play games?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5GHzCorsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4) @1866MHz CL 9-9-...EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4) @1866MHz CL 9-9-9-24 1T
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW
Sound Card
Onboard Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2309W
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 830 128GB SSD - OS
(4) Seagate 5TB HDD
(1) Seagate 2TB HDD
PSU
Seasonic X750 80+ Gold Full Modular
Case
Antec Eleven Hundred Super Mid Tower
Cooling
Intel Liquid Cooler
Keyboard
Max Nighthawk X8 Mechanical keyboard
Mouse
Mionix Naos 7000
Internet Speed
50 Mbps Down / 10 Mbps Up
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials/Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Browser
Chrome/Firefox
Other Info
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's
Asus RT-N66R Wireless Router
What are your expectations out of a new graphics card? Do you need it to play games @ 1080p on the highest settings available? Multiple monitors? Or just reliably play games?

I just want smooth, reliable gameplay - it doesn't have to be in the highest settings, and I don't have multiple monitors.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz6GB DDR3 SDRAMASUS R9 290 DCUII
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gateway DX4860
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz
Memory
6GB DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS R9 290 DCUII
Sound Card
Intel H67 Express
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 2253LW
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
SATA II 1.5TB Hard Drive
PSU
Seasonic M12II 620W Active PFC 80+ Bronze Certified
Keyboard
HP 5189
Mouse
Razer Lachesis 5600
Internet Speed
Shaw High Speed 25Mbps
Antivirus
AVG Antivirus Free Edition 2015
Browser
Google Chrome
I usually try to recommend the Nvidia GTX 660Ti, but that is a little past the budget. You will want to be in the $200 range on the graphics card, and assuming you spend ~$60-70 on a power supply, you are only just a tad past your original budget. The performance you will get with a graphics card in that price range is well worth the extra 20-30 bucks. You will probably be looking at an Nvidia GTX 660 or an AMD Radeon 7850.

Nvidia: GTX 660

AMD: Radeon HD 7850

As for the power supply, I linked you to a Corsair 500W in my first post, but I would go with a 600W instead. Either the Corsair CX600 or CX600M(semi-modular) would be perfect. All of those items are either on sale or have a mail-in rebate on them that will help keep you around $250-275.

If you have any other questions, just let us know.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5GHzCorsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4) @1866MHz CL 9-9-...EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4) @1866MHz CL 9-9-9-24 1T
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW
Sound Card
Onboard Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2309W
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 830 128GB SSD - OS
(4) Seagate 5TB HDD
(1) Seagate 2TB HDD
PSU
Seasonic X750 80+ Gold Full Modular
Case
Antec Eleven Hundred Super Mid Tower
Cooling
Intel Liquid Cooler
Keyboard
Max Nighthawk X8 Mechanical keyboard
Mouse
Mionix Naos 7000
Internet Speed
50 Mbps Down / 10 Mbps Up
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials/Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Browser
Chrome/Firefox
Other Info
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's
Asus RT-N66R Wireless Router
I usually try to recommend the Nvidia GTX 660Ti, but that is a little past the budget. You will want to be in the $200 range on the graphics card, and assuming you spend ~$60-70 on a power supply, you are only just a tad past your original budget. The performance you will get with a graphics card in that price range is well worth the extra 20-30 bucks. You will probably be looking at an Nvidia GTX 660 or an AMD Radeon 7850.

Nvidia: GTX 660

AMD: Radeon HD 7850

As for the power supply, I linked you to a Corsair 500W in my first post, but I would go with a 600W instead. Either the Corsair CX600 or CX600M(semi-modular) would be perfect. All of those items are either on sale or have a mail-in rebate on them that will help keep you around $250-275.

If you have any other questions, just let us know.
Thanks, I'll be sure to consider them!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Home Premium x64Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz6GB DDR3 SDRAMASUS R9 290 DCUII
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gateway DX4860
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel Core i5-2320 @ 3.00GHz
Memory
6GB DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS R9 290 DCUII
Sound Card
Intel H67 Express
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 2253LW
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
SATA II 1.5TB Hard Drive
PSU
Seasonic M12II 620W Active PFC 80+ Bronze Certified
Keyboard
HP 5189
Mouse
Razer Lachesis 5600
Internet Speed
Shaw High Speed 25Mbps
Antivirus
AVG Antivirus Free Edition 2015
Browser
Google Chrome
I usually try to recommend the Nvidia GTX 660Ti, but that is a little past the budget. You will want to be in the $200 range on the graphics card, and assuming you spend ~$60-70 on a power supply, you are only just a tad past your original budget. The performance you will get with a graphics card in that price range is well worth the extra 20-30 bucks. You will probably be looking at an Nvidia GTX 660 or an AMD Radeon 7850.

Nvidia: GTX 660

AMD: Radeon HD 7850

As for the power supply, I linked you to a Corsair 500W in my first post, but I would go with a 600W instead. Either the Corsair CX600 or CX600M(semi-modular) would be perfect. All of those items are either on sale or have a mail-in rebate on them that will help keep you around $250-275.

If you have any other questions, just let us know.
Thanks, I'll be sure to consider them!

You are welcome......if you need any further help, just ask.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5GHzCorsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4) @1866MHz CL 9-9-...EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4x4) @1866MHz CL 9-9-9-24 1T
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 750 Ti FTW
Sound Card
Onboard Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2309W
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 830 128GB SSD - OS
(4) Seagate 5TB HDD
(1) Seagate 2TB HDD
PSU
Seasonic X750 80+ Gold Full Modular
Case
Antec Eleven Hundred Super Mid Tower
Cooling
Intel Liquid Cooler
Keyboard
Max Nighthawk X8 Mechanical keyboard
Mouse
Mionix Naos 7000
Internet Speed
50 Mbps Down / 10 Mbps Up
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials/Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Browser
Chrome/Firefox
Other Info
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1's
Asus RT-N66R Wireless Router
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