Seeking Best Possible (Reasonable Cost) Graphics Card For A Dual-Core Athlon MB

DaveM50 · Feb 13, 2014

Am trying to get just a bit more graphics "kick" out of a c.2006 HP a1250n, dual core Athlon (2.0 ghz) processor on an MSI motherboard. Have upgraded to 4gb memory and a 600 watt power supply. Currently using an Nvidia GT 430 but hoping for more (have overclocked slightly with no noticeable effect). Not looking to spend a lot of money or for up to the minute performance--just hoping to get more resolution and a higher frame rate out of "World Of Tanks", etc. Am limited by having a PCI x 16 2.0 slot, so....most newer cards won't work.

I have been considering the ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2. I have enough power to run it, and believe I have enough cables to run it--might need one adapter. I can get one right now for $60.

Does anyone else have any suggestions? I will be upgrading my computer to a new MB, more memory, and a faster processor (quad-core minimum) within the year so hope for a card that will hold its own for a while.

Thoughts are welcome. Trying to stay on the cheap for now so I can put "real money" into the bread and butter parts of the system.

dmmbbs · Feb 14, 2014

Nothing above radeon HD 5670/6670/7750 can stretch its legs in your dual core 2GHz athlon system.

DaveM50 · Feb 14, 2014

Appreciate it. The Radeon isn't an option as my PCI slot is 2.0 (I tried a 5670 a while ago with no joy). Perhaps yet another reason to add to the list of why I really need to upgrade my system.

DaveM50 · Feb 14, 2014

And the ASUS is PCI 3.0.....sigh.

dmmbbs · Feb 14, 2014

DaveM50 :

5670 should have worked in PCIe X16 2.0 slot, even 780Ti would. But 780Ti will be bottlenecked very very much by your CPU.

DaveM50 · Feb 14, 2014

Right now I have an NVidia GT 430. I do have to wonder if even that is bottlenecking. I was getting higher frame rates with Windows XP 32 bit. Upgraded to 7 64 bit and added memory....and performance dropped a bit. I have tried messing with the clock speed some (using MSI Afterburner). Very little difference.

DaveM50 · Feb 14, 2014

I am assuming that the ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 will bottleneck. No matter how much GPU power I hang out there I am still dealing with a dual-core processor and DDR 1 RAM.

dmmbbs · Feb 14, 2014

Yes, it's time to upgrade totally.

DaveM50 · Feb 22, 2014

Much appreciate the suggestions. I am, frankly, wondering if an upgraded mobo, processor, and memory would do more for the machine than a new graphics card (it is used for a mix of business and "goofing off"). Would like a minimum of 8GB RAM (and four slots so more can be added), quad-core AMD processor (possibly with room for eventual upgrades), and a mobo that will drive my current configuration (two DVD-RWs though that is not essential, card reader, three front USB ports and four in back).

Can this be done on the cheap? I have a larger HD ready to plug in should I need the space but thus far that has not been an issue (have a 250 gb which is about half-full but might want to put my external backup drive inside the case--yes, there is room). It seems silly to replace the computer when I have about 3/4 of a system that will do what I need. I'm just stuck with that dual-core processor and Socket 939 mobo.

dmmbbs · Mar 20, 2014

By all means do upgrade if you can afford.

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Seeking Best Possible (Reasonable Cost) Graphics Card For A Dual-Core Athlon MB

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