Need GPU/PSU Suggestion

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I want to upgrade GPU for my computer. Details are:

CPU: AMD X2 5200+ running @ 2.7 Ghz
MOBO: ASUS M2N68-AM (It has PCIe x16 1.0 support only)
RAM: 2X2 GB DDR2 800
HDD: 320 GB SATA II
PSU: A 280 watts some AC-BEL power supply from my friend's lenovo desktop. (Have uploaded pic for ratings of it.)

Display: Dell IN1909 18.5"@1366x768 pixels
GPU: Nvidia 9500GS

My system is never overclocked.

My budget is 5-6k for the GPU and separate budget upto 2k for PSU if it needs upgradation.

I have shortlisted:

1. ATI 5670 1GB DDR5 SAPPHIRE @ 4150 INR
2. ATI 6670 1GB DDR5 SAPHHIRE @ 4800 INR
3. ATI 6770 1GB DDR5 SAPPHIRE @ 6090 INR
(prices are from *www.costtocost.in/list/pricelist.pdf but I may buy from where I get better deal)

Which one should I go for? I wanna play modern games like Crysis2, GTA4, Bioshock3 etc at moderate settings and 1366x768 resolution only. Do I really need 1 GB GPU memory for this resolution or a 512MB card will do?

Will my system bottleneck? Since these cards are PCIe x16 2.0 based and my system only supports PCIe x16 1.0 and is 2 years old.
Do I Also need to upgrade my PSU? Also I will be using the same monitor at the same resolution.

Kindly help me people. I will be buying from Nehru Place (Delhi), next week or so. If possible, please also advise me which vendor should I go for.

Gpu: 6770 1gb;
psu: Fsp saga ii 500w

puneet87 said:
Which one should I go for? I wanna play modern games like Crysis2, GTA4, Bioshock3 etc at moderate settings and 1366x768 resolution only. Do I really need 1 GB GPU memory for this resolution or a 512MB card will do?

go with above suggestion.

puneet87 said:
Will my system bottleneck? Since these cards are PCIe x16 2.0 based and my system only supports PCIe x16 1.0 and is 2 years old.

yes. GPU is quite a bit fast & your processor is old. but get the faster GPU as if you upgrade processor later, GPU upgrade won't be needed.

PCIe 1.0 bandwidth is enough for this card.

puneet87 said:
If possible, please also advise me which vendor should I go for.

SMC International.

@ puneet87 - the gfx cards should work fine but make sure you have the latest bios version installed for your mobo just to be safe ;-)

@ puneet87 - Even I agree with d6bmg's suggestion!! My only concern is none of the online stores like theitwares, smcinternational.in quote a 6770 at that low a price. The lowest I came across was a Sapphire 6770 for 6.6k. Are you sure you'll get a 6770 for 6.1k, as quoted by you???

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d6bmg said:
Gpu: 6770 1gb;
psu: Fsp saga ii 500w

Thanks for suggestion, I was also at the point of finalizing 6770 as my new GPU. Now regarding my PSU query, I have been constantly researching too. Will a Corsair CX430 V2 be a bad choice? I got a quote for it for 2.2k INR.

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topgear said:
@ puneet87 - the gfx cards should work fine but make sure you have the latest bios version installed for your mobo just to be safe

Thanks for reminding but it seems like they haven't released any more latest bios for my motherboard, I have the latest bios flashed.

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ssb1551 said:
@ puneet87 - Even I agree with d6bmg's suggestion!! My only concern is none of the online stores like theitwares, smcinternational.in quote a 6770 at that low a price. The lowest I came across was a Sapphire 6770 for 6.6k. Are you sure you'll get a 6770 for 6.1k, as quoted by you???

Well yes, you may check the link. I have purchased some components from this shop in the past as well. I won't be buying online either.

Yes, Corsair CX-430v2 at 2.2k is a very good choice. FSP SAGAII-500W would have been a better choice since it has more wattage than the CX-430v2.
But for ur config, the CX-430v2 will be enough. So, go for any of these two PSU. Get the one which is easily available.

puneet87, I've just checked the pricelist you've provided. Really the prices of the Graphics cards & LCD displays are far cheaper compared to the other online sites.
Since you have the experience to buy from them, could you shade some more lights about the process of purchasing from them..both Online and Offline?

^^You just took the words from my mouth!! I was gonna ask him the same thing. 6770 is really cheap at that place. May be I can get one for my friend!!

Even after adding 4% VAT the price of 6770 comes upto 6.3k only!! Thats a sweet deal!! I hope there is no catch!!

puneet87 said:
Will a Corsair CX430 V2 be a bad choice? I got a quote for it for 2.2k INR.

No, CX430 V2 is also a good choice in your case.

Buy what you think as better value for money.

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saswat23 said:
Yes, Corsair CX-430v2 at 2.2k is a very good choice. FSP SAGAII-500W would have been a better choice since it has more wattage than the CX-430v2.
But for ur config, the CX-430v2 will be enough. So, go for any of these two PSU. Get the one which is easily available.

Alright, I am finally getting a Corsair CX-430v2. Thank you for clearing my confusion.

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Cilus said:
puneet87, I've just checked the pricelist you've provided. Really the prices of the Graphics cards & LCD displays are far cheaper compared to the other online sites.
Since you have the experience to buy from them, could you shade some more lights about the process of purchasing from them..both Online and Offline?

They don't seem to sell online. Only possible way to buy from them is offline, also they provide a bill with TIN number on it so its completely legit buy from them. The specs I have described in the thread is bought from them, and no problems yet. I also bought 2 netbooks and a canon LBP 2900B printer from them. Everything is working fine till date.

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d6bmg said:
No, CX430 V2 is also a good choice in your case. Buy what you think as better value for money.

Thank you

now, regarding GPU brand, should I get a MSI R6770-MD1GD5 or SAPPHIRE HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 ? There is just a 100 rs difference in price but significant difference in specs. MSI seems to provide better build quality whereas Sapphire is providing better clock rates in both memory and GPU. I am a bit confused here.

Could you just give a link of the sapphire card (from sapphire's website) that is available in the shop??
And MSi card too.

puneet87 said:
Thank you now, regarding GPU brand, should I get a MSI R6770-MD1GD5 or SAPPHIRE HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 ? There is just a 100 rs difference in price but significant difference in specs. MSI seems to provide better build quality whereas Sapphire is providing better clock rates in both memory and GPU. I am a bit confused here.

try to get MSI HD6770 Twin Frozr II ;-)

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saswat23 said:
Could you just give a link of the sapphire card (from sapphire's website) that is available in the shop??
And MSi card too.

Sapphire: Sapphire Technology Web Site

MSI: *www.msi.com/product/vga/R6770-MD1GD5.html#?div=Specification

The sapphire card seems better in terms of clock speed. Please help me out in choosing between the two.

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topgear said:
try to get MSI HD6770 Twin Frozr II

I see, but this card may be exceeding my budget. While it is similiar to the sapphire one in terms of specs, it seems like this card is meant for overclocking. And I aint really into the overclock thing. Is it really worth considering the MSI HD6770 Twin Frozr II for my needs?

puneet87 said:
Sapphire: Sapphire Technology Web Site

MSI: *www.msi.com/product/vga/R6770-MD1GD5.html#?div=Specification

The sapphire card seems better in terms of clock speed. Please help me out in choosing between the two.

If these are the two cards then go with the Sapphire one, looks much better and has better Clock Speed too.
But if you can get the MSI R6770 Twin FrozrII or its OCed edition then its a better option.

puneet87 said:
Sapphire: Sapphire Technology Web Site

MSI: *www.msi.com/product/vga/R6770-MD1GD5.html#?div=Specification

The sapphire card seems better in terms of clock speed. Please help me out in choosing between the two.

You should choose the card from Sapphire because of: 1. higher stock speed of core clock, 2. higher memory clock speed effectively providing you higher memory bandwidth.

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Thanks to everyone for their valuable advice

, I have decided to buy a SAPPHIRE ATI 6770 1GB DDR5 and a Corsair CX430 power supply.

Make sure it is CX430 V2. Also one positive point for Sapphire is that even for their baseline models they provide custom Cooler design which is efficient than the Reference design, helps a lot to keep the card cool under load and provides hardroom for further overclocking.

puneet87 said:
Thanks to everyone for their valuable advice , I have decided to buy a SAPPHIRE ATI 6770 1GB DDR5 and a Corsair CX430 power supply.

Remember, it is NOT CX430, but it is CX430 V2. Check 'V2' while buying.
The original CX series (i.e. CX V1) were a piece of crap just like CM ones. But CX V2 is good.

^^ not all CX v1 had mediocre build quality - CX400 was one of the best budget PSU ;-)

@ OP - I liked the twin frozr more - double the fan double the fun ;-)