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The Geforce GT 640 uses 9 less watts?

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  • Graphics Cards
  • Geforce
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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June 26, 2013 3:52:32 AM

I want to do an upgrade to my video card.

My computer:
cpu Intel Core i5 3570 Ivy Bridge
motherboard Gigabyte Z77M-D3H-MVP
video card MSI Nvidia Geforce 9400 GT 512MB DDR2
monitor Benq 20" GL2030 1600x900
PSU 350 watts

I am getting a Benq 24" GW2450HM 1920x1080 to replace the 20"

To check my PSU requirements for a new video card I want to get, I enter in my system information into http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.js... with my present card the Geforce 9400GT and I get
227 watts (minimum), 277 (recommended).

Then I change the video card to the Geforce GT 640 128 bit DDR3 4GB that I would like to get and it says
218 watts (minimum), 268 (recommended).

I am surprised that my present 2009 installed 9400GT card uses 9 more watts than the GT 640. And my 9400GT card has no fan, only heatsink fins. Does this sound right?

More about : geforce 640 watts

a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 4:04:48 AM

Its right. The Kepler architecture on which the GT640 is based around is very power efficient however i do not recommend that you get this gpu. It won't be able to handle things well on that resolution and you'll be playing at low settings with low fps's
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June 26, 2013 4:20:02 AM

oh, good thing you replied because I was thinking of getting that GT 640, I wanted to keep the watts down because my PSU is only 350, can you recommend a card that has low watts and yet is able to handle the resolution that my new 24 inch 1920x1080 I'm getting?
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a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 4:39:08 AM

degreaser said:
oh, good thing you replied because I was thinking of getting that GT 640, I wanted to keep the watts down because my PSU is only 350, can you recommend a card that has low watts and yet is able to handle the resolution that my new 24 inch 1920x1080 I'm getting?


Good thing you asked us Toms hardware folks first then. If you don't want to be upgrading your PSU then i suggest getting the HD7750 which consumes a maximum of 55w under peak load all from the PCI express slot. No 6 pin power connector is required. You'll be able to run most games fine on 1080p but don't expect extreme graphics settings. If you can afford it, get a better PSU such as the CX500 and get yourself a GTX650ti which will be best suited for your system and will let you amp up the settings in any game even on that resolution
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a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 4:40:29 AM

The 9400GT basically consumes power only from your x16 PCI-E slot, i.e a maximum of 75 Watts. So we need to find you the best performance card which has a power consumption of 75W.
And that would be the AMD Radeon HD 7750. It has low power consumptions of below 75 Watts and offers amazing performance. :) 
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June 26, 2013 5:31:51 AM

ok, about the Radeon HD 7750, considering that I'm a newbie at this, is this just a card swap sort of thing? Can I just remove my Geforce 9400GT card and then install the 7750 in same place and that's it? No power pins to play with? Because this Radeon 7750 has a fan and my 9400GT does not.
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a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 5:37:07 AM

degreaser said:
ok, about the Radeon HD 7750, considering that I'm a newbie at this, is this just a card swap sort of thing? Can I just remove my Geforce 9400GT card and then install the 7750 in same place and that's it? No power pins to play with? Because this Radeon 7750 has a fan and my 9400GT does not.


When your 9400gt is plugged in. Un-install all drivers for it first. Turn off the PC. Remove power cord from wall socket. Displace static by touching the any metal of your PC casing. Remove your 9400gt. Place the HD7750 in. Start the PC. Go and download the latest drivers from the AMD website. Install. Restart PC. You're good to go :) 
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a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 5:38:53 AM

And no, the HD7750 doesn't require any additional power. You plug it in just like you'd plug in your 9400gt. Don't forget to get the DDR5 version for 30% better performance. Do NOT get the DDR3 version of the HD7750
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a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 5:53:47 AM

Uninstall all Nvidia drivers from your system, then remove the GPU form the PCI-E X16 Slot.
Then Simply place in the 7750 Card into the slot and install the drivers from the CD that came with it.

Make sure you do buy the GDDR5 7750 cards, Sapphire,Asus,MSI,Gigabyte etc. are some trusted brands. However, i would prefer the Sapphire version because their customer support is great.

Also the 7750 does not require any additional 6 Pin PCI-E from your PSU, hence the overall load on the PSU will be same as the old setup.
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June 26, 2013 5:56:09 AM

thanks, is there a Nvidia equivalent card to this Radeon HD 7750? I am sort of a Nvidia fan and have little to no experience with AMD products.
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a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 5:59:32 AM

degreaser said:
thanks, is there a Nvidia equivalent card to this Radeon HD 7750? I am sort of a Nvidia fan and have little to no experience with AMD products.


Trust me. I used to be a nvidia fan too and im using a 9600GSO myself (Not for long though) and the drivers they've been releasing are destroying GPU's like crazy. I've fallen to the AMD darkside brother i suggest you do the same
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a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 6:01:24 AM

degreaser said:
thanks, is there a Nvidia equivalent card to this Radeon HD 7750? I am sort of a Nvidia fan and have little to no experience with AMD products.


In that price range Nvidia doesn't offer any performance at all. They're not as good with low/medium end cards as AMD are
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June 26, 2013 6:13:47 AM

you guys are great, I am glad I came here first before buying a card
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Best solution

a b U Graphics card
June 26, 2013 6:17:32 AM

degreaser said:
you guys are great, I am glad I came here first before buying a card


Always glad to help :)  Don't forget to choose a best answer and make someone's day
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