Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

[dwayne12345]

Hey all I'm trying to decide if I need to do the full on new motherboard, cpu update or if you think updating my graphics card will be enough to run 2k16 on full power. Here are my specs:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2.0GB
RAM 12.0 GB
CPU clock: 3.05GHz
CPU cores: 4 cores, 8 Threads
Intel Core i7 CPU 950 @ 3.07GHz
Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit OS

My motherboard is old and maxes out on 12gb memory and only has slot available for the first generation of i7 processors from 2011.

I know I'll need to update the motherboard and cpu soon but do you think by just updating my NVIDIA card to a 970 will last me through this cycle?

[GJP]

Re: Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

Honestly, it isn't necessary for you to upgrade now.

However, it also depends on how serious of a PC gamer you are and whether you are a stickler for high resolution (1440p+) at very high or ultra details. As it stands, your rig will perform admirably at 1080p on a mixture of medium/high on most titles.

The 2gb of vram is holding you back, and if you were adamant about upgrading I'd go for the 390. It's a great price to performance ratio that is on par or better than the 970 in most titles. If you're worried about electricity and all that then opt for the 970.

I have the MSI Gaming 4gb 970 now, and have had it for close to a year. It is excellent, runs cool, and is powerful, but the 3.5gb effective memory hurts in AAA titles.

The amount of ram you have is enough, we're just now approaching 16gb ram recommended for gamers.

Your 920 was a beast at its time, and is perfectly acceptable now. If it is the 'K' variant, I'd opt for an aftermarket cooler (air or All in one) and overclock it a little to extend its life.

As it stands, you're fine.

If you were hellbent on upgrading, then a 390 would be great (what is your PSU, wattage, and rating?). That's really it. Your CPU will last another generation, at least.

[ReichesMacht]

Re: Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

and is powerful, but the 3.5gb effective memory hurts in AAA titles.

Wrong. In 99% of Games 3.5GB are more than enough.

[GJP]

Re: Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

Wrong. In 99% of Games 3.5GB are more than enough.

This is not true, in Dying Light, in GTA V, in Shadow of Mordor, and a number of other titles just at 1080p. 1440p and beyond is another matter.

The 970 is beyond serviceable, and I love mine. However, it should be taken into account that people are not just playing at 1080p, but at 1440p and it struggles there because of its vram issue.

I'm not trying to play games at medium, or even high. I'm looking for max detail at the highest resolution I can muster and the 970 stutters there on a few games even at 1080p and mine is heavily overclocked.

[ReichesMacht]

Re: Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

3 Games out of 10000 and GTA5 and Dying Light isn't even true. Dying Light got patched and Shadows of Mordor does not need 4GB unless you play in a ridiculous high resolution with that weird HD-Texturepack that makes no difference, expecpt filling up the VRAM.

I had both a GTX970 and GTX980 and switched to the 980 because of Dying Light mostly, but that was more a problem of the Game than the VRAM.

[dwayne12345]

Re: Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

Thanks for that GJP. The only reason I'd prefer not to go the 390 route is I'm all configured up for NVIDIA as far as using it with my Premiere, Avid, and Resolve programs so changing brands would be annoying.

I'm not a hardcore gamer with my machine. I actually use it for video editing/graphics work.

I basically just play NBA 2k, WWE 2k, and GTA V on it. I might try Fallout or some other game but not too concerned. I'm on 1080p. I don't have much use for 2k or 4k yet.

I had both a GTX970 and GTX980 and switched to the 980 because of Dying Light mostly, but that was more a problem of the Game than the VRAM.

You think 4GB at the 970 is enough?

[GJP]

Re: Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

Thanks for that GJP. The only reason I'd prefer not to go the 390 route is I'm all configured up for NVIDIA as far as using it with my Premiere, Avid, and Resolve programs so changing brands would be annoying.

I'm not a hardcore gamer with my machine. I actually use it for video editing/graphics work.

I basically just play NBA 2k, WWE 2k, and GTA V on it. I might try Fallout or some other game but not too concerned. I'm on 1080p. I don't have much use for 2k or 4k yet.



You think 4GB at the 970 is enough?

No problem, man.

If you're comfortable with NVIDIA then by all means pick up the 970. Just take note that it may not affect you, but while the 970 technically has 4gb, only 3.5 is actually worth using in games; after that, it stutters something massive. As Macht noted, you probably won't hit that wall.

Beyond that, make sure you have enough wattage on your 12v rail and a well-built PSU with 1 6 pin and 1 8 pin connector for the MSI Gaming 970. At the least, 500watts can run a non-overclocked system with a 970.

If you need to a buy a power supply, I'd opt for Seasonic in the gold range 500+ (semi or fully modular if you like).

[oronen]

Re: Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

i have geforce gt 420.. game runs super slow.. is it because of the video card? should i change it? if so how and to what.. or anyway else to fix this?

[ReichesMacht]

Re: Should I update my Graphics card or PC?

i have geforce gt 420.. game runs super slow.. is it because of the video card? should i change it? if so how and to what.. or anyway else to fix this?

Yes, a GT420 is clearly not enough. You want a Card with at least 2GB VRAM and some more power. Can't give recommendations without knowing your Hardware and Budget.