Upgrade GPU on a previously budget build

[Jayfunk]

Hi Hexusians,

Looking to swap out my HD4670 from my budget build for an upgrade and wondering if my Mobo and PSUcan handle it?

and if my CPU will detract from any benefit the card brings?

Looking to get either HD6770/6790 or 6850

Currently only have a older 19" screen but will be upgrading that in the new year 24" and eventually swapping out the CPU for a phenom x4.

Can my mobo handle it?
Do I need to buy a new PSU? Curently have a solid Antec VP450P 450W PSU but I may go for one of the mid-gaming 550w ones from Cat's build thread?
Is my CPU to feeble to warrant a bells and whistles card like the HD6850?

Any thoughts welcome.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

IIRC,your PSU is made by Delta Electronics so is actually not a bad PSU.

An HD5770 or HD6770 should be fine. I would suspect an HD6790 or HD6850 should be OK too but I am not sure.

Your current CPU will not run the HT at full speed in the motherboard you are using though. However,a 3.2GHZ Athlon II X3 should still be fine with many games IMHO.

Edit!!

Your PSU is made by FSP it seems:

http://www.overclock.net/13223931-post18.html

Still,this means the unit is not bad at all.

[Pob255]

Yes it should be fine for a 6770 or 6850

[Bagnaj97]

The PSU should be fine for any single gpu setup, but in your position I'd wait until you've bought your new monitor. Your system should be ok with a 19" monitor (I'm assuming 1280x1024 res), by the time you've got a new monitor prices may have fallen. If it's in the new year as you say then you may find bargains in the January sales.

[Jayfunk]

thank you all for the replies.

I really want to be blown away by skyrim in particular and thought a card upgrade would be best to achieve this.

would I be better investing in the screen first? surely the current card couldn't satisfactorily keep up with the higher resolution?

confused now. great screen and low graphics vs poor screen and awesome if throttled gfx?

if.the spare cash is not spent now on one or the other then its not spent at all!

[Pob255]

Personally I'd go with the card first, although both would be good

A cheap 22" monitor is just under £100 http://www.ebuyer.com/254076-hanns-g...nitor-hl225dbb

[Noxvayl]

Agreed with CAT and Pob, your PSU is pretty good and will easily handle the cards you are looking to buy. I would also recommend getting the GFX first, you might be able to play Skyrim at max settings on the smaller screen which would be awesome. Bigger screen requires more processing power so you'd probably need to drop settings to medium but you won't need AA with the higher resolution so you might find you'd prefer the higher resolution and slightly lower settings(I know I did when I switched from 1280x1024 to 1680x1050).

[Jayfunk]

I really like that Monitor Pob. Both you and Exhail have provided me more angst.

I am swaying towards the screen as it will benefit the complete use of the PC rather than just gaming and hopefully my GPU can stand the strain a little longer!

Teh cardss are also more likely to fall in price over 6 months then the monitors and 7xxx is out end of year adding more options.

Is digital fusion a reputable supplier?

http://www.digital-fusion.co.uk/INU_...s-1000:1-Dvi-d