Need help deciding between new GPU or SSD

[FAQBytes]

Alright, the reason this topic is in here is that it really doesn't fit into any other category, so here we go.

 

My father's birthday is coming up in a month or so, and I want to get him something that will help him with his computer. He is a software designer, and the person who got me into computers.

 

As he is a software designer, he doesn't really need a very powerful GPU, but the reason this is even an issue is that even YouTube stutters on his computer (the main graphical GPU seems to be the ZOTAC NVidia ION GT-218 [runs 50-60% load watching YouTube]). Surely a slightly better GPU, even a $50-60 one will dramatically increase performance since he is running an i7 (I believe he is, 90% certainty).

 

On the other hand we have the upgrade choice of an SSD, which I know for a fact will help speed things up.

 

If you guys need more hardware specs, I'm sure I could nab a few more such as the hard drive types and speeds, but at this point I'm mostly looking for secondary opinions.

 

Thanks for all the help I am sure you will provide!

[Tonylu1595]

I mean, if the video is stuttering, by all means get the GPU

 

Fix the performance before experience.

[dmanschramm]

Well... He essentially doesn't have a useable GPU. What's your budget?

If you're looking to spend around $100 then go for the SSD

If you can spend $150 or more then go for the GPU.

 

Hope this helps

[Aniallation]

The GT218 (aka GT 210) should be more then enough for YouTube videos... sounds more like a software issue then a hardware issue.

 

Every now and then when my PC acts up YouTube is a stuttery mess even on my GTX 970. I'm not sure why and honestly I'm too lazy to find out.

[FAQBytes]

Wow, thanks for the quick response. 

 

For the new GPU I was thinking something around a GTX-550 Ti would be about sufficient since he doesn't do rendering.

Also, just for giggles, here is the passmark scores for 1) his current GPU 2) the 550 Ti and my laptop's GPU 3) 860m. 

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=ION

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GTX+550+Ti

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GTX+860M

 

I know synthetic benchmarks don't really mean a whole lot in real world applications, but considering that I can game pretty heavily on my laptop and the 550 surpasses it by about ~20%, I feel it should be more than sufficient for what he uses his computer for.

[DrugsAreCool]

how much are you paying for that 550-Ti? i think a 750-Ti would be a better choice, not to mention its very power efficient