which upgrade?

[echodrome]

Hello,

I am looking to upgrade my video card as I currently have an 8800GT. I use my PC mostly for gaming and school work and would like to hear your suggestions on what to do.

My current setup:

CPU: Q6600
MoBo: GA-P35-DS3R
RAM: 4GB G.Skill (can't remember speed)
Power: 650W Thermaltake (can't remember the model)

I was thinking of getting an EVGA 680GTX SC but I am not sure if that is the best thing to do with my current setup. Should I be looking into upgrading the MoBo/CPU first? Will I be able to get good performance with only the video card upgrade?

I have an open budget but I would like to spend the least possible.

Thank you all

[geokilla]

If you're gonna just upgrade your GPU, I'd recommend GTX 550Ti or GTX 560 at most. The GTX 680 is overkill no matter what resolution you run.

If you want to upgrade your rig overall, then refer to the sticky under New Builds. Obviously newer rig means higher performance, but it's also more costly so you gotta decide what you wanna do. I'm still sticking it out with my rig and honestly, it's fast enough. It's just that I have the upgrade itch that I need to hold back.

[dandelioneater]

There are 2 possibleways to go
a) upgrade the whole system. Look at z68 or the upcoming Z77 stuff and get a new gfx card with it.
b) or upgrade your video card with a gtx 560Ti or 7850/70 and overclock your q6600 and get some more life out of it.

[Adzsask]

Grab a used GTX 460 on here for $100, as good as a 560Ti, and cheap.

[taimoorali007]

560-Ti not bad too :)

[echodrome]

Originally Posted by geokilla

It's just that I have the upgrade itch that I need to hold back.

I guess that's the same for me, I'm trying to just upgrade the video card since I know my current system is enough for my needs.

I guess the consensus is to upgrade to a smaller video card which is probably what I will end up doing and do a complete system upgrade some time later.

Thank you all for your input

[Bond007]

I echo everyone else. You will need a full system upgrade. Don't bother with the 680 on your 6600.

[ravenger]

yeah it will bottleneck

[echodrome]

I have been looking at the 560 Ti, would that be ok or is that still too much for my current setup?

[Kilauea]

Originally Posted by echodrome

I have been looking at the 560 Ti, would that be ok or is that still too much for my current setup?

It would be fine for the most part, if you overclock your CPU, for sure, it would be fine.