Hey guys,
I built my PC about 3 years ago:

Phenom x3 720 2.8GHz (OC'ed to 3.2GHz)
4GB RAM
Radeon HD 4850

It's served me well, and for the most part I can run Skyrim on High settings. However, there are a few areas that are extremely laggy (low-ish FPS and a hell of a lot of mouse lag). These aren't CPU intensive areas, but in a few forests, and areas with lots of fog particles (such as marshes, snow topped mountains), and so I'm looking for a GPU upgrade.

My budget is about ￡150, tops. I'm currently playing on High-ish settings at 30-35fps. Preferably I'd like to play at Ultra with 40+ fps, if possible.

If I could have any recommendations, that would be appreciated. I kind of tuned out of the world of GPUs after I built my PC so I'm not really informed anymore.

Cheers guys!

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-msi-gtx-560-40nm-4000mhz-gddr5-gpu-810mhz-shader-1620mhz-336-cores-2-x-dvi-i-mhdmi-plusfree-batm

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-msi-hd-6870-oc-4200mhz-gddr5-gpu-920mhz-1120-stream-processors-hdmi-2x-mini-displayport-2x-dvi

Either of those should be fine, just a personal preference but I would go with the nvidia.

Cheers, thanks

For ￡40 more I can get the 560 Ti. Would this be a better purchase for the money?

I'm kind of curous why that card is so cheap, but as for the card itself yeah, it's a good buy. At least as far as clock speeds and specs go.

I don't think there would be a huge difference, so it really depends if you want to spend the extra 40, but I personally wouldn't. The difference probably is enough to justify the increase, but it's just a case of the extra 40. Up to you!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-GeForce-560TI-DirectCUII-Graphics/dp/B004K8R8DA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

It's Amazon so it's reputable, not quite sure why the reduction is that much either to be honest.
Alright, cheers! I'll have a think and make a decision

560TI at a cheaper price:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-156-EA&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=

I'd get that. (As much as I love Scan I like people to get products for less)


Overclockers is a reputable store as well

Overall the 560 Ti is better then the normal 560, however it's not by so much that you'd really be able to tell. The problem with these cards is that they svck a lot of power, so make sure to check that your PSU is capable.

That's the 550TI

But found this 560Ti: http://www.misco.co.uk/productinfo/productinfo?productCode=173296&affiliate=2004&cm_mmc=CSE-_-kelkoo-_-Components-_-173296

"Battlefield 3 Edition", but seems a good deal?

Seems so *embarrasment*

Yeah that is a good deal. The fact it is the BF3 edition makes no difference really, just that you get bf3 free I think. If you don't want it you could sell it before you open it.

Awesome, the Battlefield GTX560 Ti it is

SimpsonFly: I'm pretty sure my PSU is adequate. Can't remember the exact spec but I built the PC with the intention of upgrading, but I will check

Thanks for the help guys!

If it is not suitable, fortunately PSU's do not cost that much (in comparison to other components). Mine cost about ￡60 for the Corsair TX 650W

Just checked, it's a Antec 500W power supply. The card is rated at 500W. I'll give it a try when it comes, if worst comes to worst then I'll purchase a new power supply, however I deliberately got a good brand PSU so it should be okay, judging by a quick Google search. Also checked it has 2 PCIe connectors

Edit: Also did a PSU power checker for my system and it says I need a recommended of 460W. Hopefully should be fine

Second Edit: Ordered! Cheers guys!

That card should also do you for pretty much all modern games and future games. Happy gaming welsh dude!

If that is an Antec Earthwatt unit, you'll be fine for any of the cards mentioned in here. I have doubts your system requires 460W...there are not very many "PSU Calculators" that I would actually trust. Give these a run:

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

Or use Phaedrus Quick n Dirty PSU Calculator:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1045231/phaedrus-quickndirty-psu-calculator

Just an update, GPU came today. Installed fine, runs fine, playing Skyrim on Ultra at 1080p at near enough 60fps.

Plus the card was cheap, and I got a free copy of Battlefield 3!

Good news!