Looking for advice on upgrading graphics card

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
H

Hydragenum

Reputable
Mar 29, 2014
10
0
4,510
I have a retail ASUS PC that I'm looking to upgrade. Ideally, I just want to upgrade just the GPU to something decent, but I may end up switching out other components in the process.

Specs:
ASUS M51BC
AMD FX-8300 @ 3.30 GHz
8GB RAM
nVidia GTX 650
PSU: Delta DPS-500AB-6 A (500W)
Case Fan: Sunon 120mm

What's a decent GPU (preferably can run High(not necessarily ultra/best) settings on modern games at 1680x1050) under $250 that matches my sadly generic rig? Or must I switch out the PSU, if so which one would be appropriate? Any other problems you might see? Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
M
Adequate is a good description
The CX line is Corsairs cheapest line, but I use them.
Never had a problem, in fact I just bought another one 2 months ago.

Bronze 80+ has nothing to do with the quality, it is an efficiency rating.
It just means that it doesn't waste electricity.

Here is the power supply list that everyone here uses.
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

As for your motherboard, it is pretty new, so there should be no incompatibility.
The only incompatibility between video cards, and motherboards I know of is the original PCI-e slot 1.0 , and 2.0 and newer cards.

I couldn't find the specs on your board, but it has USB 3.0, so it must have at least a 2.0 PCI-e slot.

Sort by date Sort by votes
M

millwright

Distinguished
Jul 1, 2007
1,524
0
20,460
in order of performance. low to high
GTX660 most are $200 or more
The R9-270 should be $180
R9-270X should be $200
Bit coin mining has inflated these AMD cards

The next one up is the GTX760 @ $250 or $260.
IMO best bang for your buck.
It competes with $300 cards.

A 500 watt power supply is recommended for all of them, but Delta is known junk.
I will probably run it, but I wouldn't put one in any computer I build.


Edit
I'm waffling between the R9-270 and the GTX 760, depending on funds.
The only reason I'm not considering the R9-270X is, bit coin mining has driven it up to the same price as the GTX 760, and the 760 is a better card.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
H

Hydragenum

Reputable
Mar 29, 2014
10
0
4,510


Thanks for the response. Given what you said I'm probably going to switch out the power supply. Apparently the one I have is decent, a bronze 80+ whatever that means. In anycase, might as well get a good one that won't blow my rig. I'm probably considering Corsair CX500, which should be adequate. I'm wondering if there might be any incompatibility with my motherboard?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

millwright

Distinguished
Jul 1, 2007
1,524
0
20,460
Adequate is a good description
The CX line is Corsairs cheapest line, but I use them.
Never had a problem, in fact I just bought another one 2 months ago.

Bronze 80+ has nothing to do with the quality, it is an efficiency rating.
It just means that it doesn't waste electricity.

Here is the power supply list that everyone here uses.
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

As for your motherboard, it is pretty new, so there should be no incompatibility.
The only incompatibility between video cards, and motherboards I know of is the original PCI-e slot 1.0 , and 2.0 and newer cards.

I couldn't find the specs on your board, but it has USB 3.0, so it must have at least a 2.0 PCI-e slot.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
H

Hydragenum

Reputable
Mar 29, 2014
10
0
4,510


Thanks for your response, it has been very helpful. There are still a few things I'm still concerned about. Mainly around the dimensions of the PSU, I can't find any specifics but it doesn't look like it will fit where my Delta PSU does (86x150x140mm, HxWxD)? Regarding the motherboard, wouldn't my current GPU (GTX 650) use a 2.0 PCI-e slot? My understanding is that while crappy, 650 was designed to be a commercial subpar GPU relatively recently. Finally, if everything checks out, should I get a new case fan as well?

EDIT: Just want to add some additional information, the ASUS website states the M51BC (both motherboard and case, which look to be the same as mine) as having:

Expansion Slots: 2 x PCI-e x 1
1 x PCI-e x 4
1 x PCI-e x 16

I'm not sure why they have 3 different answers though.
Also, the case has the following dimensions:

175 x 420 x 400 mm (WxHxD)
242 x 510 x 550 mm (WxHxD) with Carton
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

millwright

Distinguished
Jul 1, 2007
1,524
0
20,460
Don't have that computer so it is hard to say on the case size.
It looks like standard ATX, so any ATX power supply should fit.Some PSs are a little longer.
The dimentions you posted are standard ATX

Those are not 3 different answers.
That is one answer.
You have 4 expantion slots 2 x PCI-e 1x, 1 PCI-e 4x,and 1 PCI-e 16x

The PCI-e 16X is for the graphics card.

As for GTX 650) using a PCI-e 2.0 slot , not necessarily.

Technically a PCI- e 2.0 card can go in any version PCI-e slot.
All slots are supposed to be backward compatible.

The only problem is with a 1.0 slot, and I would not trust a 1.1 slot either.
They are also supposed to be backward compatible, but often are not.

New case fan?
I don't know, I can't answer that without knowing more.
What is wrong with the one you have?
How many fans do you have?
What sizes?
Is it nessasary?
Is your case running hot.

All my cases have been modified for fans that soot my needs

The case I am using now, used to have 4-80 mm fans in front.
I cut it up, and it now has a single 140 mm fan.

My side windows were converted to Lexan so I could install a 120 mm fan.
The Lexan window is something I do on all my cases.

So you see I'm not afraid of changing fans, it just has to have a little thought first.


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

Hydragenum

Reputable
Mar 29, 2014
10
0
4,510


I found the specs for my motherboard: http://www.asus.com/Desktops/M51BC/#specifications
And since GTX760 and R9 270 are listed under graphics section, I think the motherboard should be compatible for either of those. I sincerely hope it is atleast 2.0, do they even make 1.0/1.1 on new boards anymore?
As for the fan it's no problem right now, things are quiet and cool even when I'm gaming. I'm just worried that a better card/PSU might need more fans.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
H

Hydragenum

Reputable
Mar 29, 2014
10
0
4,510
Ok. I'm going to go ahead with a 760 then, the price between that and 270/270x doesn't seem to differ that much. Going to get a CX500 as well, maybe even a RM 550. Thanks for your responses it's been super helpful.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom