recommend a GFX card to a newbie please?

tariqnahmad · Aug 2, 2013

Hi,

I've decided to upgrade my onboard GFX card to a proper GFX card - but (being a complete novice) I have no idea what to get !

My PC spec is:

Motherboard M2N68-LA (Narra5)
Processor Phenom X4 9650
Memory 4 GB
Video graphics NVIDIA GeForce G210
Integrated graphics using nVidia GeForce 6150SE
Sound/Audio Integrated Realtek ALC888S Audio
Hard drive 500 GB
Computer Case Slimline

Complete spec here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=uk&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c01820256#N1400

My requirements are:

1. must be able to play latest games
2. must be able to support dual monitors

please advise!

Many thanks.

xroe · Aug 2, 2013

If you wan't a decent video card at all the first thing you will need is a new PSU, and considering you have a semi proprietary PSU, that could be quite the challenge. This also means that whatever card you get will have to be low profile and not put out alot of heat. I can not think of anything that would really play the latest games with the current situations and would honestly recommend at least a not proprietary PC if not a new on if gaming is your wish.

tariqnahmad · Aug 2, 2013

hi. thanks for your reply. at the moment my gfx is on the motherboard - i was thinking that even if i get the worst gfx out there, it must at least be better that what i have at the moment? i asked my local shop and they recommended this:
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/55223

xroe · Aug 2, 2013

There are two faults I see with the card though.
Size, it is too tall to fit
Power supply, yours is 220 watt and has no 6 pin connector, while that card calls for at least 400 watts and requires one 6 pin.

If your adamant about putting in a new card i would recommend nothing more then
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125434
your power supply is your biggest hold back and its not the standard size so finding one that is compatable and puts out enough power gets hard and costly.

tariqnahmad · Aug 2, 2013

hmmm... well that shows what the microdirect "specialists" know....
oh well, might have to bite the bullet and get a new pc....
thanks for your help.

xroe · Aug 2, 2013

No probs.

tariqnahmad · Aug 2, 2013

byogamingpc :

yah i guess so. i bought this one a few years ago due to the small form factor. works a treat for everything, but runs like the proverbial dog for games...

tariqnahmad · Aug 2, 2013

byogamingpc :

tariqnahmad :

If you haven't done it before, building your own computer saves a lot of money and allows you to customize something much better than you would get from a manufacturer like Dell.

whats "a lot"? i must admit, ive never been brave enough to do this before...but if we're talking 100's then might be worth a go

xroe · Aug 2, 2013

Usually you can save about 20 pct. and you know what parts are going in your machine as well. You usually can pick better parts then an oem mobo from foxcon and an integrated gpu. I'd if you want to get your own rig going the first thing to decide on is a budget.

tariqnahmad · Aug 2, 2013

xroe :

ok, so suppose i was building a new pc - what gfx card would you recommend that allows 2 monitors and plays the latest games. i dont usually buy the latest-most-expensive component.

xroe · Aug 2, 2013

While the Sapphire radeon is a top notch card if you are not wanting to spend too much I might reccomend the gtx 660 from EVGA
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-SUPERCLOCKED-Graphics-02G-P4-2662-KR/dp/B00966IREK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375459575&sr=8-1&keywords=gtx+660
It can play most games on the market at high settings and is capable of running 2 (or more) monitors with little effort. Although you don't want to skimp out on other parts just to have a good GPU, keep in mind that you want no bottle necks.

Also with your current PC if you don't plan on selling it then you can reuse some parts that arn't to out of date such as your bddrive and hard drive.

xroe · Aug 2, 2013

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1nqZJ

There is a mock build if you want to look at, its built assuming you would re use your disk drive and hard drive as well as "stumble across" a copy of windows. Things such as the case should be tentative as I don't know which style you like and was simply picking based on pricing and previous experience with that case. That build is just for reference and I would advise looking around for parts on sites such as ebay and amazon to save some additional money.

tariqnahmad · Aug 2, 2013

almost fell off my chair when i saw the GBP600 price for the Sapphire radeon!

the gtx 660 from EVGA is much more reasonable at GBP168.

""stumble across" a copy of windows". hahahaha. like that one.

thanks for your help.

xroe · Aug 2, 2013

It is an enthusiast card that can drive 5 monitors with little hesitation. and game across 4 of them.

xroe · Aug 2, 2013

No problems, hope to run into you sometime later in one game or another.

jessterman21 · Aug 2, 2013

Presler :

Much better options:
If you want Nvidia: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500308
If you don't mind AMD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

Both support two monitors via HDMI + DVI, and the HD 7750 will play games a bit better. Both will work fine with your existing system because they don't require external power.

But by all means, if you have the budget, get started on a completely new build.

tariqnahmad · Jun 12, 2014

jessterman21 :

ok, so 8 months later!, and im finally ready to ddddooo it! but when I went looking for the cards above they are out of stock. so, can you recommend anything else? (plus i'm assuming something better have come on in the market in the last 8 months).

is it even worth doing? the bottom line is can I play games like far cry3, the latest Call of duty, metro last light et al ... and will it allow me to play far cry 4, the evil within and dying light ???

jessterman21 · Jun 12, 2014

That Zotac one is back in stock, or you could go for this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150682
The R7 250 will give you slightly better performance, but Nvidia has better driver features and TV support. And you will be playing those games you mentioned at Medium or Low.

tariqnahmad · Jul 23, 2014

jessterman21 :

thanks for your help!

gggrrr - out of stock again + card not available in UK. I didn't get a notification from TH when you replied, hence the delay...

recommend a GFX card to a newbie please?

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