Graphics Card Upgrade

[nwats005]

So its been 4 years since I have upgraded my video card, ram, cpu, cooler, and mobo. I am thinking it is time to at least upgrade my video card to play some new games at higher fps under higher graphical settings. I can currently run BF4 on low smoothly. Would like to get closer to running it closer to ultra smoothly. I don't want to spend $1000 on a graphics card but, I might spend up to about $500 if need be. I think I could get by just fine with something cheaper though. I am concerned about the GPU upgrade bottlenecking with my i7 960? Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

(Looking for a GPU to last me as long as possible until I feel I need to upgrade again. Also Hoping to wait until next gen cpu's before upgrading mobo, ram, and cpu)

 

Thanks!

 

i7 960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz (O.C.'d to 4.2GHz) @ 75-85 deg with Real Temp while running IntelBurnTest

EVGA SC GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384 bit GDDR5

ASUS P6X58D-E

Corsair HX850 PSU

Corsair Dominator 3x2GB DDR3-1600

Zalman CNPS9900MAX-R 135mm CPU cooler

Samsung 850 EVO SSD

WD 1TB 7200 HDD

[Johannes_Lazor]

R9 290/x or GTX 970 would be the way to go.

https://pcpartpicker.com/parts/video-card/#c=186,146

[Lolzious]

I would suggest a 280/x, and then a RAM upgrade. Later on save up for a new mobo and CPU, as well.

[nwats005]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, those seem like solid choices. How much RAM would you recommend running for the meantime?

[Darkr]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, those seem like solid choices. How much RAM would you recommend running for the meantime?

8Gb.

16 gig is kinda overkill imo.

[Bussinateur]

Keep your RAM for now. Upgrade to 16gb whenever you abandon your Bloomfield CPU/Motherboard. And I recommend a GTX 970 as well