Thinking about an upgrade

[Dollar]

So I'm using an old graphics card and I'm unable to play next gen games at the moment. I want to upgrade it, but I don't know what to choose. I can afford a GPU for around $150. My current PC specs:

 

Motherboard: Gigabyte H61M-S2-B3

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 (3.10GHz)

RAM: 4GB

GPU: ASUS GeForce GT 430 

PSU: 400W

 

Or maybe i should upgrade whole pc?

 

Thanks

[007agentHP]

since your psu is pretty low get a gtx 750 ti

[Lord_Karango17]

The problem is that the ram is also going to be a bit of a limiting factor in what you can play, as 6-8gb is ideal of gaming these days.

 

Since your PSU is also not that powerful it will limit what you can get to very low power draw cards like the 260x or the 750ti.

 

Basically what im saying is that if you really dont want to be limited to what you can play, upgrading your gpu is not all you will have to do.

[KamiKatze]

I was gonna say GTA 960 but your budget is too low for that. AMD cards on the other hand can draw a lot of power. What PSU exactly do you have?

 

I'd recommend putting all your money into the graphics card now, and try to double the RAM soon after.

 

Edit: A GTX 750 Ti would make sense. It's not the most powerfull card in the world but it's a LOT better than what you have now. This should leave you with enough money to buy another RAM kit like the one you already have.

[awesomes8wc3]

@Dollar follow your threads!!

 

theres no way you're going to get something nice with that budget...save up for a bit longer and grab a 2500K or 3570K off ebay, throw in some more RAM and maybe a 760. should be fine on a 400W psu if its of decent quality.

[Dollar]

The problem is that the ram is also going to be a bit of a limiting factor in what you can play, as 6-8gb is ideal of gaming these days.

 

Since your PSU is also not that powerful it will limit what you can get to very low power draw cards like the 260x or the 750ti.

 

Basically what im saying is that if you really dont want to be limited to what you can play, upgrading your gpu is not all you will have to do.

So if im getting gtx 750ti link:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-Corp-N750TI-2GD5/dp/B00I6DLIB8

And one extra stick of 4GB ram in the future will be enough for me?link:

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-FURY-1866MHz-DDR3/dp/B00J8E8YNE/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1429556214&sr=1-3&keywords=kingston+hyperx+4gb

How much fps should i get on for example GTA V on 1080p med/high graphics?

[BrinkGG]

So if im getting gtx 750ti link:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-Corp-N750TI-2GD5/dp/B00I6DLIB8

And one extra stick of 4GB ram in the future will be enough for me?link:

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-FURY-1866MHz-DDR3/dp/B00J8E8YNE/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1429556214&sr=1-3&keywords=kingston+hyperx+4gb

How much fps should i get on for example GTA V on 1080p med/high graphics?

Med-High on GTA V, you can expect upwards of 65fps average with the 750ti. 

Here's a refrence chart for a handful of other games... 

Light green is the 750ti.

[Lord_Karango17]

So if im getting gtx 750ti link:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-Corp-N750TI-2GD5/dp/B00I6DLIB8

And one extra stick of 4GB ram in the future will be enough for me?link:

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-FURY-1866MHz-DDR3/dp/B00J8E8YNE/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1429556214&sr=1-3&keywords=kingston+hyperx+4gb

How much fps should i get on for example GTA V on 1080p med/high graphics?

Yeah, as long as you leave msaa alone, you should be raking in the fps...

[Dollar]

Ok thank you guys, you helped me a lot 

[Dollar]

I was gonna say GTA 960 but your budget is too low for that. AMD cards on the other hand can draw a lot of power. What PSU exactly do you have?

 

I'd recommend putting all your money into the graphics card now, and try to double the RAM soon after.

 

Edit: A GTX 750 Ti would make sense. It's not the most powerfull card in the world but it's a LOT better than what you have now. This should leave you with enough money to buy another RAM kit like the one you already have.

 

This is my PSU:

[BrinkGG]

This is my PSU:

(image)

So you can use that PSW with any graphics card that DOES NOT have PCIe power connectors. 

You will be cutting it close with that power supply, but you would be good with a GTX 750 or low draw 750ti. Just remember when picking a the GPU, pick something under 65w TDP. 

Like this one! 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487024&cm_re=GTx_750ti-_-14-487-024-_-Product

(Small and mighty) 

If you have the money, add a power supply like this one. 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

Reason for the new power supply is that the GPU and CPU both run off of your 12v rail. And since you only have 120w on the 12v rail (Amps multiplied by voltage), you can only add a GPU around 65w. 

Hope this helps!