I have a 320MB GeForce 8800 GTS and 250 US$

[PapaXpress]

I need to take a look at what my power supply is rated at. I have that card and I like it. What I really need now is to upgrade the CPU which unfortunately means a new motherboard and reinstall. Now if I only had the money...

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[arizonachris]

The 560Ti has 2x6 pin power connectors, you will need at least 500 watt PSU. The EVGA card will come with adaptors if the PSU doesn't have the right ones. A 550Ti needs only one 6 pin power connector, so the 400 watt will work. Again the card should have the needed adaptor. Not a whole lot of difference between the 560 and the 550 as far as RW is concerned right now. It's more down to amount of RAM and the CPU.

I only buy EVGA video cards. In 6 years I have never had an issue with one of their cards, except for a card failed because a power surge took out the PSU which took out the whole PC.

[Cardinal51]

Thanks for all you advice and insight gyys !

I went for the GTX 560 TI DCII it should arrive at the local store tomorrow. Their Geek is gonny install it in my PC. If needed I am getting a larger power supply too.

Maybe I will upgrade the Mobo and CPU later this year.

[arizonachris]

They are forcing us to upgrade with a new CPU, Motherboard and DDR3 RAM now. DDr2 RAM prices are thru the roof. I looked at what going to 8Gb of DDR2 would cost (I had only 4), then got a motherboard, CPU and 8Gb DDR3 RAM for about $50 more. Nice, smooth and fast PC now. Now I'm upgrading from a Phenom II CPU to a Bulldozer. We'll see how this rig eats up RW now.

[Cardinal51]

Doesn't 8 GB of RAM mean you need to get a 64bit operating system ?

[arizonachris]

Doesn't 8 GB of RAM mean you need to get a 64bit operating system ?

Yes, anything above 3.2Gb will not be "seen" by a 32 bit O/S (gonna be a lot of different opinions but in my experience this is the rule) So I have Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit (free because I beta tested it for MS) I can go as high as my motherboard is rated for. 8Gb is enough. Some say, what the heck, go 16. Pfffftttt. Go ahead. with all the games and programs I run, 8Gb is fine.

[Hawk]

Yes, anything above 3.2Gb will not be "seen" by a 32 bit O/S (gonna be a lot of different opinions but in my experience this is the rule)

I have 4-1GB sticks in my XP 32-bit rig and 3.2 is what I see.

[Cardinal51]

Speccy tells me this:

fhrhjry.jpg

Only 3 GB available

I wonder why people advised me to replace my 2 x 1GB with 2 x 2 GB instead of just adding one more GB ?

[arizonachris]

Because you always want to install RAM in matched sets. One pair (2 sticks), two pairs (4 sticks) . Should always be matching sticks or you can have a lot of instability with Windows. RAM sticks have a certain voltage and timing, if you buy one new stick and it has different timings, get ready for a lot of "STOP" errors and blue screens.

Wait until you are ready for the new build then upgrade to DDR3 and Win 7 64 bit. Grab 8Gb (2x4Gb) sticks for cheap. Put that new video card in there and you will be moving some trains.

[Cardinal51]

I am all set, gonna test the card tonight.

Oh, btw, according to the box the card needs a 550W powersupply. I just got a 600W, so that should be ok.

[Hawk]

Don't forget the power needed by your other hardware. Motherboard, hard drive(s), RAM, fans, etc.

[Haystack]

Not a whole lot of difference between the 560 and the 550 as far as RW is concerned right now. It's more down to amount of RAM and the CPU.

Hey Chris, I have a EVGA 9800GT right now and I'm looking for some better performance. Right now I'm only getting 15fps on Donnor pass. I was looking at the GTX 550 TI and the GTX 560 TI. How big of a difference would I see between these two cards for RW? Also do you have the 1GB or the 2GB GTX 560 TI? Thanks

Also on a side note, I have a 500W PSU and I know I would have to upgrade that if I go with the 560, but would a 550 be okay on it?

[arizonachris]

I have the 1Gb GTX560Ti. Runs everything great except RW.

A 500 watt PSU should be fine for a GTX550Ti, it has only one 6 pin power connector. The 560 has two 6 pin connectors. I have a 700 watt Cooler Master PSU on my main gaming PC.

The 9800GT is still a decent card. You may see a difference with a GTX550Ti in other games, but I don't think you'll see a lot in RW. Well, maybe with TSX on. The 550 is a nice card. Don't upgrade for RW, upgrade because it's time.

[Haystack]

I have the 1Gb GTX560Ti. Runs everything great except RW.

A 500 watt PSU should be fine for a GTX550Ti, it has only one 6 pin power connector. The 560 has two 6 pin connectors. I have a 700 watt Cooler Master PSU on my main gaming PC.

The 9800GT is still a decent card. You may see a difference with a GTX550Ti in other games, but I don't think you'll see a lot in RW. Well, maybe with TSX on. The 550 is a nice card. Don't upgrade for RW, upgrade because it's time.

Thanks for the reply Chris. I was just wondering because newegg has the EVGA GTX550TI on sale for $109.99 right now and was thinking about taking advantage of it. But if I won't see any difference I guess I'll just stick with my 9800GT since all my other games run fine. Thanks again

[arizonachris]

Wow that's a great price. I paid $129 for my EVGA GTX550Ti. (free shipping from the Egg of course) I would go for it as long as it's in your budget. You will see a difference in other games, I guarantee that.