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Need a new graphics card need help im a total noob.

J

jakalpipboy

Joined
Feb 3, 2016
Messages
9 (0.00/day)
System Specs
System Name windows8
Processor intel core i3-4130 cpu@3.40ghz 64-bit operating system x64-based processor
Memory 8gb ram
Storage 1
Audio Device(s) amd high definition audio device
Hi thanks for taking the time to help me, I currently have a AMD MSI R7 260x OC 2GB graphics card and want to upgrade to a better one without having to dish out loads of money budget (£150/200), but I also don't want to buy a card which I then have to upgrade in the next year or so (at least 2 years), the market is full of specs I don't understand as I all ways been a console gamer (ps4 atm), my graphics card ATM is ok but its starting to loose out with all this new games coming out.. I'll put my specs with GPU-Z.

P.S: I live in the UK any deals or links please send in £ and not $ thank you.
 

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There are alot of cards at that price, idealy id increase budget a bit more and get r9 390 or gtx 970. But you can go gtx 960, 380X, 380 i believe these could all fit the budget and be okay upgrades
 
Brand new you could probably land a 280X on a good deal. Second hand you might score a GTX 970 and that would set you for 1080p for the next 2 years.

Might help if you fill in your system specs >>here<<
 
RCoon said:
Brand new you could probably land a 280X on a good deal. Second hand you might score a GTX 970 and that would set you for 1080p for the next 2 years.

Might help if you fill in your system specs >>here<<
Click to expand...

hi thx for reply I uploaded some of the specs I know and I'm aware off is there a way for me to get the rest like a program like gpu-z.
 
You can get an R9 290 4GB second hand on Fleabay, basically a 390 without the extra pointless VRAM. Seems like a solid bet for longevity. Depends on what PSU you have and whether it can handle it.

In order to get your PSU specs you'll have to take the case panel off and look at the PSU label.
 
RCoon said:
You can get an R9 290 4GB second hand on Fleabay, basically a 390 without the extra pointless VRAM. Seems like a solid bet for longevity. Depends on what PSU you have and whether it can handle it.

In order to get your PSU specs you'll have to take the case panel off and look at the PSU label.
Click to expand...

Sorry m8 total noob here what is PSU.. also can u check this link and tell me if the graphics card u recommend has the same size (length, dimensions) that can fit onto my mother board. I do really appreciate you taking the time to help me out thx.
 
jakalpipboy said:
Sorry m8 total noob here what is PSU.. also can u check this link and tell me if the graphics card u recommend has the same size (length, dimensions) that can fit onto my mother board. I do really appreciate you taking the time to help me out thx.
Click to expand...

Length doesn't matter for the motherboard. Your motherboard has a PCI-E x16 slot and that's all that matters in that regard. Any modern GPU will fit into your motherboard. The only constraint you might have is if the GPU would fit inside your main computer case. You'd need to measure the length of your current GPU and see how much extra length you have beyond that until you get to the first obstruction.

PSU is a power supply. Usually a large box with tonnes of cables coming out of it. It will have a Wattage figure on it (e.g. 500W) as well as a load of volt and ampage figures (e.g. 12V1 22A, 12V2 14A, 3v 10A, 5V 10 A). Once you can see your PSU and a sticker that has that kind of information written on it, take a picture so we can see what make and model it is. You're going to need power to supply your new GPU, and some GPUs require more power than others. That can sometimes mean you need different power connectors (either 6 pin or 8pin).
 
here are the pictures you asked.

I was looking into this graphics card instead: MSI AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB GDDR5 PCI-E Graphics Card is it a good option?

I have up to 26cm room before I reach the end where my graphics card is.
 

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Your power supply has only a single 6pin connector according to the specs. Most high end GPUs require 2 x 6pin, 8pin + 6pin or even 2 x 8pin to provide enough power. (the thing plugged into your current graphics card is a 6pin power connector)

If you wanted a bigger/better GPU like the 290 or 290X, you're either going to need a power supply with the right connectors, or you could use a 2 x molex to 8pin adapter - like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FHLQURO/?tag=tec053-21

Your PSU is OK, two 12V rails with a decent amount of ampage, topping out at 360W. Your CPU is going to suck 60W, so you're left with around 280W available power for a GPU (other things use the 12V rail, so I'm setting aside 20W for those). The R9 290/290X use in excess of 275W, so you'd be cutting it close to the limits. I personally would recommend a new 550W PSU with a better 12V rail than your current one, but you'd have to settle for a cheaper GPU.
 
jakalpipboy said:
I was looking into this graphics card instead: MSI AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB GDDR5 PCI-E Graphics Card is it a good option?
Click to expand...
for 290x you'd better look at sapphire or gigabyte
for 390 msi or sapphire
powercolor is good budget pick if you dont mind noise.
new psu is must in any case unless you pick gtx970 or 380
 
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jakalpipboy said:
this one is no good as it requires 500W which I don't have. ill keep looking
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your psu is fine for 380, 380x or gtx970
for something more powerfull you will need to replace it.
power_maximum.png
 
jakalpipboy said:
this one is no good as it requires 500W which I don't have. ill keep looking
Click to expand...
I think what you will need is a new PSU and GPU combo. Otherwise your going to be pretty restricted if in the future you want more power. Try the following combo:

MSI R9 380 4gb
EVGA 600B 80+ Bronze PSU

That would be my recommendation for longevity. However with your build you could try and squeeze a GTX 970 ITX variant which contains only one 8pin, but because your PSU only has a 6 pin you would have to use an adaptor (6-8pin adaptor) which is something I am not a big fan of recommending because I have seen issues come about from doing that if not immediately over time. Though I will show you one:

Gigabyte GTX 970 ITX
Startech 6-8pin converter

But that recommendation si out of your budget unfortunately, but I thought it could give you an idea what you could try and possibly find one used. You could try buying a used GPU on ebay if you would like as well and get a better one. But even if you do I still recommend getting a better PSU since you can get one for relatively cheap that will handle and GPU thrown at it and give you peace of mind. That is my opinion of course.
 
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According the picture your specs may be something like:
Processor: intel core i3-413 Socket FCLGA1150
Motheboard: Gigabyte GA H81M** Socket FCLGA1150
Cooling: Stock intel cooler
Storage:
Memory: 8GB, 2x4GB DDR3 Dimm [unknown brand]
Video card: MSI AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB
Power Supply: CoolerMaster Extreme Power Plus 500W [70% efficiency, non 80Plus certified]
Case / Chasis: ?
Sound card: HD on board.
Keyboard:
Mouse:
OS / Software: windows 8 64bits

with that power supply you could run a 970, is there the option for getting second hand cards?
 
Another vote for GTX970 as it is less CPU dependent. AMD cards need more CPU horse power to run them on correctly on max.
 
That's not a 500 watt PSU, at least not the way most of us think of a 500 watt PSU today. First, CM never calls it a 500 watt PSU. (this kind of intentional deception is why I loath CM) Secondly, it limits the +3V & +5V & +12V to a total of 428 watts. It's limited to 360 watts on 12V, so we should think of it as a 360 watt PSU. It is made by FSP, so it should be okay, within limits. I would recommend against any GPU that requires more than 1x 6 pin PCI-e power connector on this PSU. Without replacing the PSU, I think the OP is limited to the GTX 960. (some have more than one 6 pin PCI-e power connection)
jakalpipboy said:
this one is no good as it requires 500W which I don't have. ill keep looking
Click to expand...
I think you might be confusing what the manufacturer lists for a required PSU size and what @RCoon said in regards to watts on the 12V rail(s).
 
if there is the chance to replace PSU first do-it, then look for a better video card, also the processor has integrated gpu, so you could sell the current video card and earn more money for making upgrades,
 
guys thanks for all your help I really appreciate u taking the time to help out a noob, but im now thinking of getting a new high end desktop gaming pc which will set me up for the next gem gaming and also 2/3 years of gaming, could you recommend a good pc which will have msi latest graphics cards (4gb) with i7 windows 8/10 1/2tb HDD, I need it to run all games on ultra or high settings without getting hiccups, I want to play games without having to play on low/medium graphics without my pc slowing me down, and it also needs to be quiet and energy efficient as I have a family (2kids) and cant really spend much budget (£900) there are a lot of good deals and I don't know if I'll be making the right choice as I only know how to operate a computer but no nothing about specs, could any one help a brother out thanks..

I understand what u saying but im forgetting the hole buying a new gpu thing as my hole pc is getting outdated (case, dimensions) so I mite as well be looking to buy a new gaming pc as the one I have was an entry level, im also into streaming and uploading and the pc I got now is not giving me that power to fell like my games are actually alive I feel like im running a ps1/2 :(.

my problem is that I don't want to be buying second hand stuff to make my shite pc run games which are now becoming more demanding in terms of graphics, so I would like to buy a gaming pc which will set me on the high quality gaming as I been receiving on consoles, but consoles games are becoming to expensive (£60 a game) which I can have the same game on pc for less with better graphics, and there is more variety of games on pc than on console (im into survival games) this is why I ask the pros to help out a noob on picking a high end gaming machine which can deliver..

ok so I've been looking into the (£900) budget and that not really going to give me a i7 with good specs so, just recommend me with a gaming pc which is top high end class and i'll have to save up to buy it.

jakalpipboy said:
ok so I've been looking into the (£900) budget and that not really going to give me a i7 with good specs so, just recommend me with a gaming pc which is top high end class and i'll have to save up to buy it.
Click to expand...
I want the best I don't want to settle for low/medium...

I want the best I don't want to settle for low/medium... I need a new pc so I've looking and need so advice on which one will set me on i7

I whent on this site and made a pc build which I think is correct..(http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/nrTT8d) on there its showing me £750 for high end stuff will I be wrong in buying a £1000 gaming computer. plz help
 
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