Need help looking for new GPU (and PSU)

**SpiritOfF1re** · 10-25-11, 04:05 PM

HP Pavilion Elite HPE-500 Desktop PC series - HP Pavilion Elite HPE-500y Desktop PC Product Specifications - c02679437 - HP Business Support Center

300W PSU
AMD Radeon HD 6450

that's what I have, I don't know anything about this stuff so I'm relying on you guys. I want to play BF3(and future games) on as high as I can get. So I want the best GPU that will work with my PC and then a PSU to go with whatever we've settled on

Is there anything left to say? price limit is not too much of a problem, I dunno how high GPU's can go but I'd say $400-500 is the tentative budget(PSU not included)

if you guys need anymore information let me know how and where to find it and I will

**PvtPrivate** · 10-25-11, 04:43 PM

I'd say get a 6950/6970 if you want AMD or a 560 ti/570 if you want nvidia.
I don't know about nvidia but my AMD drivers work fine for me.I heard you could unlock a 6950 to a 6970 a while ago,not sure if thats still possible .Even though you probably could get a better card you are going to be bottleneck by you CPU(the 1045T)it isn't exactly the best for gaming.

**BrockSamson** · 10-25-11, 04:56 PM

You have to consider the most important thing. Space.

I bet you cant jam either of those cards in that case. You should break out the measuring tape and confirm that the card will fit. Also, if you get a mega beefy powersupply they can be extended a bit and not fit too. If you want a simple no hassle upgrade I would get a standard sized PSU and get an upper mid range GPU. This is what I suggest as its what I have in a mid-tower case (Antec 300) and I play BF3 maxed out. If you get a new large case this is all tossed out and you can go to town on your purchases.

Corsair TX650
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

ATI 6870
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

**kibner** · 10-25-11, 04:58 PM

I believe the fastest single GPU card is the Nvidia 580. I personally don't care for multi-GPU, but others love it. I'm sensitive to things like microstutter and don't want the extra heat and noise such a setup generates.

As for as power supply, Corsair is great bang-for-buck. For stock single GPU setups, 600 watts should be more than enough. Try to find a power supply that uses a single 12v rail and is at least 80% efficient (big marketing thing so should be easy to find).

E: BrockSamson has really good info in the post above mine. Definitely measure how much space you have.
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**SpiritOfF1re** · 10-25-11, 06:29 PM

Those look perfect Brock, and thanks for all info guys. I measured and they will fit.

Should I buy now or is there anything else I should do. From looking at my specs it looks like they will work together? I dunno if there's any kind of compatibility crap. I'm trying not to be quick on the trigger...I just want to get this stuff done, lol.

**SapiensErus** · 10-26-11, 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by SpiritOfF1re

Those look perfect Brock, and thanks for all info guys. I measured and they will fit.

Should I buy now or is there anything else I should do. From looking at my specs it looks like they will work together? I dunno if there's any kind of compatibility crap. I'm trying not to be quick on the trigger...I just want to get this stuff done, lol.

I am using that exact Corsair right now. Mine delivers very stable voltage and amperage and I have run SLI with it; by my calculations it should push two decent enough GPUs if you want it to.

**SpiritOfF1re** · 10-28-11, 09:34 PM

Thanks so much Brock, it's working great and is running BF3 on Ultra perfectly smooth, way better then I expected

The hardest part was getting all the damn extra PSU wires to fit inside the case safely.