GFX card recommendations

[Jking72]

So I'm looking for a cheap but decent gfx card and wanted some help from you all.


I have a decent enough setup but it didn't come with a card just on-board.


I'm only looking to spend $150 tops, I want to be able to play some games occasionally when the wife is hogging the TV.

I have a;
intel core i5 cpu 650@3.20ghz
4gb of ddr3 ram
Windows 7 Home premium 64-bit
ASUS VE247 23.6" HD monitor
500w power supply

not sure what other info is relevant so just let me know.

I don't want to go to a box store without a plan otherwise I'll get the sales pitch from some kid.


thanks for the input...

Jesse

[KpoweredCB7]

I've got a EVGA GTX 660 and it plays any game I want on just about any graphics settings you want to run.
This is a superclocked GTX 660 which I hear isn't THAT much better than a normal 660 but it's basically the same price. If you are willing to spend an extra $50 on that $150 you'll have plenty.

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-S...words=evga+gtx

[dj_ender]

Super clocked is a factory OCd card. It's a waste of money, they are VERY conservative with their OC. Spend less money, buy a basic card, and OC it yourself.

[trickedaccord92]

Currently the best cards in the $150 range are the newly released Nvidia GTX 750Ti and the ATI Radeon 260x .... both have similar specs but the ATI Radeon 260x is $20 ($130 Newegg) cheaper and is slightly ahead in all areas except customer reviews.

I personally use Nvidia but I have used both Nvidia and Radeon and never had a problem out of either.

[cloudasc]

Before I would give my recommendation, are you sure your power supply has power connectors for video cards? You will need one that has 6+2, and a 6 pin power connector to work with most (worthwhile) video cards. If the video card you choose doesn't have those connectors, it is not meant for gaming.

[Jking72]

Before I would give my recommendation, are you sure your power supply has power connectors for video cards? You will need one that has 6+2, and a 6 pin power connector to work with most (worthwhile) video cards. If the video card you choose doesn't have those connectors, it is not meant for gaming.

heres the supply that came with the PC,

Foxtech 500W ATX 24/20 pin Power supply with 12cm Fan

Manufacturer Part # FX-500W-TV2

[trickedaccord92]

Before I would give my recommendation, are you sure your power supply has power connectors for video cards? You will need one that has 6+2, and a 6 pin power connector to work with most (worthwhile) video cards. If the video card you choose doesn't have those connectors, it is not meant for gaming.

Most new cards come with the 6 pin LP4 to 8 pin PCI adapters now. So even if he is running a shelf PC from walmart he can power the card with the adapter.

As seen in this picture it comes with a power adapter and only requires a 400w+ PSU ...

[cloudasc]

heres the supply that came with the PC,

Foxtech 500W ATX 24/20 pin Power supply with 12cm Fan

Manufacturer Part # FX-500W-TV2

Sadly, I am unable to find specifications for that PSU (using Google), and after some digging it appears to be some cheap brand out of Asia. So my recommendation would be to replace your power supply if you get a new video card. Cheap power supplies are like cheap amplifiers for your car, they are typically overrated on their power output. They also tend to have pretty crappy voltage regulation, and of course like all power supplies deteriate with age (meaning their power output dwindles over time).

From my latest Maximum PC (Cheapskates Guide) for a 'Budget' computer build, a 500W Power Supply from EVGA (100-B1-0500-KR) is $40 + Asus Radeon HD 7790 2GB is $144. So if you have a budget of $200 this would be the best bang for the buck.

[cloudasc]

Most new cards come with the 6 pin LP4 to 8 pin PCI adapters now. So even if he is running a shelf PC from walmart he can power the card with the adapter.

As seen in this picture it comes with a power adapter and only requires a 400w+ PSU ...

Sorry didn't see your post as I was replying and didn't refresh.

Yes it is possible to use a device like that to provide power to a graphics card, but you have to be careful with it, because of how the circuits are separated, and how much each one is rated for in regards to the power supply. If you were to use something like that, I hope the power supply in question has the ratings listed on the side.

[Jking72]

Sadly, I am unable to find specifications for that PSU (using Google), and after some digging it appears to be some cheap brand out of Asia. So my recommendation would be to replace your power supply if you get a new video card. Cheap power supplies are like cheap amplifiers for your car, they are typically overrated on their power output. They also tend to have pretty crappy voltage regulation, and of course like all power supplies deteriate with age (meaning their power output dwindles over time).

From my latest Maximum PC (Cheapskates Guide) for a 'Budget' computer build, a 500W Power Supply from EVGA (100-B1-0500-KR) is $40 + Asus Radeon HD 7790 2GB is $144. So if you have a budget of $200 this would be the best bang for the buck.

Alright thanks for the input so far gents, I'll order a new PSU on payday and then probably a gfx card on the next one...

[trickedaccord92]

Alright thanks for the input so far gents, I'll order a new PSU on payday and then probably a gfx card on the next one...

You could always go with ...

44.99 (24.99 after mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153166

119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814487027

Should play most current games on at least medium settings and total cost is ... $164.98 ($144.98 after mail in rebate)

[Jking72]

You could always go with ...

44.99 (24.99 after mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153166

119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814487027

Should play most current games on at least medium settings and total cost is ... $164.98 ($144.98 after mail in rebate)

must have missed the sale its $65 on their site.

I went with the ASUS one that cloudasc suggested.

next pay I'll pick out a Card.


thanks for the help so far dudes.

[Jking72]

ok I'm thinking I of the Radeon 260x

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...20140301213800


the best card I could find locally was the radeon 7770 for $200+tax, so for $149.99+tax+shipping

[Mishakol129]

I just got my first desktop computer, its a HP dc 7900 Small Form Factor with 3 ghz and 8gb of ram. I never intended to play games on it, but I found out that I can run the PowerColor Radeon HD 7750. The card calls for 400w of power and my PSU is only 250w. It runs it just fine. It only uses about 140w maximum while playing, I tested it with a power meter. Draws the power from the slot so it uses really low power. Card companies will overstate the power supply just for the sake of liability reasons, at least that is what I heard.

I'm playing Bioshock Infinity now with it and it runs pretty good. Shadow Warrior ran excellent as well.

Here is the card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131509



Its out of stock it appears,,, guess I was lucky to have got it last week.

Either way I heard its last years technology. Even so its an excellent card and it turned my otherwise boring PC into a powerful gaming machine. I'm impressed. Dual core or not my PC is decently equipped to handle most modern games. I think I will upgrade to quad core though.

[trickedaccord92]

I just got my first desktop computer, its a HP dc 7900 Small Form Factor with 3 ghz and 8gb of ram. I never intended to play games on it, but I found out that I can run the PowerColor Radeon HD 7750. The card calls for 400w of power and my PSU is only 250w. It runs it just fine. It only uses about 140w maximum while playing, I tested it with a power meter. Draws the power from the slot so it uses really low power. Card companies will overstate the power supply just for the sake of liability reasons, at least that is what I heard.

I'm playing Bioshock Infinity now with it and it runs pretty good. Shadow Warrior ran excellent as well.

Here is the card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131509



Its out of stock it appears,,, guess I was lucky to have got it last week.

Either way I heard its last years technology. Even so its an excellent card and it turned my otherwise boring PC into a powerful gaming machine. I'm impressed. Dual core or not my PC is decently equipped to handle most modern games. I think I will upgrade to quad core though.

Your computer will run it with a 250 psu but the psu will be dead in a year. Did the same thing with my previous computer.