GT610 Card-inexpensive upgrade?

newb77 · Apr 3, 2014

Hello all. I am not a computer expert so please bear with me.

Here is my computer
HP i7 2600 3.40 GHz
8 gb ram
Windows 7
Asus 210 card 1gb DDR3
300 watt power, 12v, 16 a

I can currently play all my games, WoW, GW2, Tanks, and the card works fine. Maybe not on the highest settings but it does the job.

I would like to upgrade my card for the near future of gaming for under $100. Games such as Wildstar.

Here is a possible card http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GeForce-PCI-Express-N610GT-MD2GD3-LP/dp/B008AJKIN2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1396564264&sr=8-4&keywords=asus+gt610+2gd3

My question is, will 300 w be enough power for this type of card? I know it is a lower end card so I hope 300w is good enough, but I would like any thoughts. Will this card work? Any recommendations for another card under $100?

Many thanks.

Nathan Willis · Apr 3, 2014

300 watts will be fine. That card only pulls 29 watts max. Your whole system will bottle neck with that card though. For a little more money you could get the slightly better GT 640. You will need a bigger PSU for the Gt 640 though. Happy Computing!

sunder25 · Apr 3, 2014

I'd suggest getting a r7 260
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I5HIVTM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00I5HIVTM&linkCode=as2&tag=hardwarevol03-20
It is stronger than the 640 and the one i linked is $109
The 610 is barely worth getting imo.
However your PSU will an upgrade for the r7

newb77 · Apr 3, 2014

Sorry, did you mean my PSU will need an upgrade for this card? Thanks.

sunder25 :

sunder25 · Apr 3, 2014

Yes, sorry i ate a word.

newb77 · Apr 3, 2014

NP thanks.

I was/am hoping not to have to upgrade my PSU. Money you know......

BTW how can you tell how much power a card will use?

sunder25 :

sunder25 · Apr 3, 2014

Okay, what's your pc's model?

sunder25 · Apr 3, 2014

The idea is that your cpu is powerful, however the gpu is..unfit for gaming.
If you upgrade to a gt 610 it might make a small difference here or there but it is definately not worth the money imo.
But if you want a better graphics card, you will need a psu upgrade.

newb77 · Apr 3, 2014

HP
HPE h81070t
i7-2600, 3.40 GHz
8 ram
win 7 64 bit
300 w
ASUS 210 card 1 gb DDR3

I'm just looking for a little better card that my power supply and system will take without blowing up! I know I can (technically) put in a new power supply unit but I am not that mechanically savvy..... and kind of low on funds..... but I figure I could snap in a new card and download drivers. Maybe its a lost cause and I should just save up for a better system all around. Thanks.!

sunder25 :

paitjsu sadff · Apr 3, 2014

check on nvidia website for specifications on cards they always list the power consumption there...

newb77 · Apr 3, 2014

I think I am going to have to upgrade the power supply like you folks are recommending.

Im already nervous! lol!

But seriously, thanks for the advice. I think the only way to get considerable better gaming is to get more power that can handle a good card.

sunder25 · Apr 3, 2014

There is one other option.
The geforce 750TI
It's the most economical gaming card on the market nowadays, and it has no extra power connector. So AT MOST it will take up to 75w.
Your psu SHOULD be able to handle it, but it'd be taking it too close to its limits for me to advise keeping the PSU.
This-assuming that your psu is not high quality, the HP support page did not mention its make.

sunder25 · Apr 3, 2014

I included a link for the geforce if you're interested.
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=94339&vpn=GTX750TI-OC-2GD5&manufacture=ASUS&promoid=1296

paitjsu sadff · Apr 3, 2014

sunder25 :

it's hp, its got to be cheap...but the OP has a nice CPU in there so it would be worht it to upgrade to that PSU :
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=59615&vpn=P1550SXXB9&manufacture=XFX and then get a good GPU like a GTX760 for example...and BTW dear OP changing a powersupply is really not that difficult you will find many good videos on youtube that show how to do this operation and basicaly if you can hook up a PS3 to a tv set you should be able to do that swap...its just a question of taking the time to do it right but it is fairly simple and straight forward

Nathan Willis · Apr 3, 2014

There is nothing to be nervous about. Computers can be confusing, but this should be simple.

Here is a good Cheaper PSU that can handle a good GPU.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0092ML0MY/ref=twister_B0093XCRXS

If you want really good quality get Seasonic.

For really good gaming performance I recommend the GTX 650 TI or 750 TI 2gb cards.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-650

(You can get it in 2gb)

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-750-ti

Very good card!
That setup will be easy to install and yield a ton of performance.
If you do not care to game on high settings you can get the Gt 640.
It is nowhere close the the GTX series, but will handle light gaming.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt640

Happy Computing!

paitjsu sadff · Apr 3, 2014

Nathan Willis :

nahh the first PSU you suggested the corsair cx is no good, i would much rather pay a little more for the xfx one, it's got much better component and will have a much better lifespan...

sunder25 · Apr 3, 2014

You two are increasing OP's theoretical budget by way more than you should.

newb77 · Apr 3, 2014

Thanks! I think I am gonna bite the bullet, order a new power supply and one of the GeForce cards and give it a go!

sunder25 · Apr 3, 2014

So what are you going to get?
It's easy to get carried away.

paitjsu sadff · Apr 3, 2014

newb77 :

59$ for the XFX PSU + 150$ for say a GTX 750ti plus shipping will run you about 225$, is it too much?
we could suggest option that would cost less than that...

look at that, this card comes with 150$ worth of games for free and its an ASUS card on top of that...very good deal, will power through any games at great settings and good framerates...
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=94339&vpn=GTX750TI-OC-2GD5&manufacture=ASUS&promoid=1296

you could also save 10$ and go with this card, similar performance from AMD :
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=90925&vpn=GV-R726XWF2-2GD%20REV2&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1296

Nathan Willis · Apr 3, 2014

newb77 :

Sounds good. We could spend your money all day. LOL

paitjsu sadff · Apr 3, 2014

i came across this card also that would i think run on your PC without the need for a new PSU and would offer acceptable performance for the games you've mentionned :
http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=72419&vpn=GT630-2GD3&manufacture=ASUS

newb77 · Apr 3, 2014

I think I am going back to board games.

Ha!

Seriously though, it's a lot to think on but I thank all of you for your advice! I feel like I have much better knowledge of my options!

newb77 · Apr 7, 2014

I think perhaps this card. Although Amazon is out at the moment. But it's the GTX with 2 GB ram and ASUS seems a good manufacturer.

Thoughts? And will a need a six pin cord? (Not sure that what you call it) Thanks. I am also getting a 480 watt PSU.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-GDDR5-Memory-Graphics-GTX650-E-2GD5/dp/B00AJ9XF3Q/ref=sr_1_17?s=pc&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1396917415&sr=1-17&keywords=asus+geforce+650gtx

Or this one.... less ram but a bit cheaper and in stock!

http://www.amazon.com/PNY-GeForce-Graphics-Cards-VCGGTX650T1XPB/dp/B009L87GSG/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1396595641&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+650+ti

newb77 :

GT610 Card-inexpensive upgrade?

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