New graphics card

[Gun-dam]

Hi guys,

First time poster so be nice please.

I'm looking to upgrade my graphics cards, here are my currents specs:-

CPU: i5 750 2.66Ghz
GPU: 2 x Sparkle 9600GT 1Gb (SLI)
Motherboard: EVGA P55V
RAM: Corsair Dominator 8Gb
PSU: CIT 550W Black Edition
HHD: 1 x Samsung 500Gb
Pump/Reservoir: XSPC X2O 750 Version 1
CPU Block: Watercool HK CPU
Radiator: Black Ice Extreme 120mm
Case: NZXT M59

I am aware that my PSU may be on the small side however my 9600GT's are the energy efficient models which do not require their own direct power input from the PSU.

What cards would be a reasonable upgrade from my current ones without spending to much, the top end of my budget is £140 but this could go up or down depending on how much I could sell my current cards for. I don't want any card that is known to be loud as my system is fairly quiet as is, bonus if I can extend my liquid cooling loop to the card with a fairly cheap water block.

I would like the new card(s) to have HDMI out, do any cards have more than 1 HDMI out?

Thanks in avance for taking time to read/comment my post.

[Domestic_Ginger]

Its about quality not quantity! That Cit may not be terribly reliable!

OCUK has 5850's on sale at £125 otherwise a 1gb 460 or 6850 if yo can find one at that price.

What size is your screen?

We're quite nice here really.

[Gun-dam]

I have 2 monitors currently:-

Dell SP2309w at 2048x1152
Dell ST2210 at 1920x1080

[nibbler]

Get a new PSU before you get a new GPU. It's a gamble with a CIT PSU.

[Gun-dam]

Are you saying I should get a new PSU as CIT are known for being unreliable or just if I upgrade?

[watercooled]

No it's a polite way of saying get the bomb out of your PC before it nukes it.

Seriously though, I wouldn't recommend running any valuable hardware on a cheapo PSU like that, stick with good brands.

[Gun-dam]

I got the same psu on 2 of my pc currently on reccomendation for a friend who has put it in over 50 at work without problems so far. Whats the worst that could happen?
Could anyone reccomend any good PSUs at a reasonable price around £50

[nibbler]

Whats the worst that could happen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsTRxXvQY0s

[watercooled]

Seriously, cheap PSUs are well known for going bang and destroying components in your PC. This will not be covered by any warranties, either of the PSU or the components themselves so it will be up to you to cover the cost of replacing them when it happens. There are plenty of good PSUs for that price but this one is very good for the money: https://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials...roductId=40944

Edit: Some reading material about cheap PSUs: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...=Story&reid=71 http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...ly-Deliver/534 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP8nFQYQW34 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWt3S...eature=related

[Gun-dam]

I had the option to change to a corsair 450W modular psu but feared this didn't have enough power, should I go for this change?

[watercooled]

A good 450w would be fine for your current build, you might not get a lot of headroom if you're planning to get a more powerful graphics card. The cards recommended by Domestic Ginger would be OK though.

[sadbuttrue]

The Corsair 450hx you mention can actually deliver slightly more power than your CIT 550w, and will do so without going nuclear.

[Gun-dam]

It makes you wonder what you'd have to put into a PC to use he power offered by a 1KW PSU...
Can anyone reccomend a particularly good calculator for PSU needs so I can see what graphics cards I can upgrade to on a Corsaire 450HX. I want to stay Nvidia for future SLI options if possible..

[watercooled]

Most calculators tend to give you a higher recommendation than you need (so the MFRs can sell more expensive products, obviously) but this one seems reasonably accurate: http://www.corsair.com/

[Gun-dam]

This might be abit off topic for the section this thread is in but would I be able to change how much power my pump is getting with a new PSU so that I can possibly make the pump run slightly quieter.