Looking for options, upgrading from HD 6850 to ...

[Bacon1]

You just repeated what I was telling you.
Buy a $75 gtx950 now and do a full upgrade.

Except that is the opposite of what I just said. I said I wouldn't just buy a used old gpu like a 950. I'd buy a new monitor + gpu combo like I've been giving links to.

IPS monitor generally are better than TN monitors but does that make them ALL good for color reproduction? NO

Source? How are the ones I linked not good at color reproduction?

 

[mrc_northeast]

Thank you everyone for all the info. I have some researching to do, and decisions to make.

 

[littleg]

I'd go with Bacon1. A new monitor plus GPU (not an old generation used one) would be a big upgrade on what you have now. The monitor and GPU can most likely carry over into any new build in the next couple of years saving you a few bucks there and while the CPU might be a bit of a bottleneck you'll still see big improvements.

 

[AtenRa]

For a GTX 950 alternative I would go for the RX 460 4GB, there is a Powercolor RX 460 4GB at $99 AR in newegg.
Also this Visiotek RX 460 4GB could be used for an HTPC later on.

 

[VirtualLarry]

For a GTX 950 alternative I would go for the RX 460 4GB, there is a Powercolor RX 460 4GB at $99 AR in newegg.
Also this Visiotek RX 460 4GB could be used for an HTPC later on.

But the GTX950 supports his current VGA monitor. The RX 460 does NOT.

And if OP is going to replace his screen, then might as well get a better/faster GPU than the RX 460.

 

[AtenRa]

But the GTX950 supports his current VGA monitor. The RX 460 does NOT.

And if OP is going to replace his screen, then might as well get a better/faster GPU than the RX 460.

Ahh the VGA problem, better then to get a used HD7950 than any 2GB GTX 950, there are many with DVI-i.

Personaly i would go for a new GPU + FreeSync monotor in his situation.

 

[daxzy]

I could get a new monitor as well (max $300 upgrade), but I do not see an affordable monitor that has good color and is good on games. Not great at either, just good at both. Seems like the newer monitors are either good at games or good with colors, whites, blacks, etc, but not both. The desk my pc is at doesn’t have room for two monitors.

You can check out Dell Outlet. I was able the get a 24" Ultrasharp U2415 for $130 shipped, with a coupon (and they come pretty often).

Ultrasharp is Dell's top line professional monitor (but this SKU is 2 years old, nevertheless still very good). Review here: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2415.htm

I am leanings towards saving my $$$ right now and just get the gtx 950 2gb gpu. It is only 2 tiers higher than my current GPU, but it is above the minimum for Swbf, and has the DVI-I port, so no converter needed. The $$$ I save will go towards a newer pc in the future.

Or I could get a 1050 Ti 4gb, or a 470 4gb and be set on a video card for a little while, but I would have to use the DVI-D to Vga converter until I get a new monitor. Have you used one of those converters? If so what do you think of them?

If you are satisfied with a Dell Ultrasharp's color reproduction/input lag, then I wouldn't bother with a GTX 950. Just go for a RX 470 4GB, GTX 1060 6GB, or RX 480 8GB. However, of the games you specify, you probably should get a RX 470/480.

 

[raghu78]

OP get a Rx 470 4GB with a good IPS monitor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131696
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1CZ4881791

Works out to around USD 275 total (after counting mail in rebate for graphics card). Worth the buy.

 

[CuriousMike]

Regarding the whole color reproduction thing: It is possible to get good color reproduction with a decent IPS monitor.

I'm an avid Lightroom user ; avid photographer and part time gamer.

Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a nice 24-27" IPS monitor.

 

[Bacon1]

MSI Armor 4GB 480 is only $189 - $20 MIR so $170 total right now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137049

Or you can get the 470 MSI Armor for $169 - 10% (WELCOME17 code) = $152 and it comes with Hitman.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137076

Those are both great deals. Pair it with a nice new monitor and you'll start 2017 with a sweet "new" PC

For monitor:

21:9 (2560x1080) 29" (~same height as 24" 16:9) LG IPS for $240

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222227024791

27" Dell 1920x1080 for $160:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260488

Its $150 @ Walmart:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-SE2717Hx/54445638

Both have great IQ and will be huge bump for you.

So Video card is $152-190 (-$20MIR) out the door.

Monitor $150-240 depending on which size.

Total is $302-430 depending on which GPU and monitor. Both are great just depends on which one suits you more.

 

[ZippZ]

You're whole system is pretty old, except your processor and memory is still decent. If SWBF is the only game you expect to play this year and you expect to upgrade your whole system in 2018, then go for the cheap used gtx950 card. If you buy a RX470, it'll be obsolete and not balanced with a new system you'll buy a couple years from now.

LCD's have improved a lot in color reproduction and price, but you'll still have to pay $300 or more if decent color reproduction is your first priority. Don't worry about the refresh rate too much, 60hz on a LCD is good for routine gaming. CRT's had to use higher refresh rates due to flickering which LCD's aren't affected by as much (screen tearing, vsync, and stuff in games). I'd imagine your CRT is getting old and faded by now though.

 

[Headfoot]

Dump the CRT at 1280x1024, thats just too dumpy of resolution. I would agree that the Dell IPS glossy monitors look great from a color reproduction standpoint. Beware that IPS has IPS glow which means you sacrifice black blacks for better color reproduction. Nothing is free. But IPS monitors have come a long, long ways in terms of ghosting. The "gaming" quality gap between TN and IPS has basically vanished. Only the crappiest IPS models have bad input lag now. Some good recommendations above. Another vote for a solid IPS monitor.

That $170 480 is a good deal that Bacon posted. If you can afford to step up to 8GB, do so.