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mid $400s budget pc Graphics Card decision help

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  • Graphics Cards
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  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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May 5, 2014 12:09:19 PM

I'm looking to build a budget PC in the near future. I have my whole build decided..except the graphics card. There's so many to pick from and graphics cards are not something I'm most informed on. I'd like to keep it under $150.

A few questions to kick things off if someone in the community doesn't mind explaining.
What do the numbers mean? I assume more is better.
Core clock? Boost clock? Cuda cores? Stream processors?

My build so far:
CPU - AMD Athaon X4 750k 3.4ghz quad core
RAM - G.Skill single 4GB stick
MB - MSI A55M-E35 FM2+/FM2 Micro ATX
PSU - Raidmax Hybrid 2 RX-530SS 530watt
HDD - Wester Digital WD Blue 1TB
Case - Rosewill LINE GLOW ATX Mid Tower (could go cheaper on a budget build but 4 fans are included)

If someone could just point me in the right direction with the best graphics card for $150 and under?

More about : mid 400s budget graphics card decision

a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:12:54 PM

OK first off if you are going to build a budget computer with a gpu. get a fx 6300 intead of the athlon 750k. It will give you way better preformance for the same price. In order to recommend a gpu your location will be needed aswell
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May 5, 2014 12:15:06 PM

Quote:
OK first off if you are going to build a budget computer with a gpu. get a fx 6300 intead of the athlon 750k. It will give you way better preformance for the same price. In order to recommend a gpu your location will be needed aswell


I am in Florida
The CPU that I picked is $80, the one you suggested is $120.
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:18:06 PM

$150 and under, 750 ti

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

That one is also 7% off.

This one doesn't require a PCIE power connection, and is $139 after "MIR"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Don't buy a "Raidmax" PSU (or anything Raidmax)... Get this one, Corsair CX430. Should be more then enough if you stick to that 750 ti..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:21:22 PM

Core clock is the speed of the gpu (in some way), you can use it to find out which card, within one type (etc a GTX 750ti), is the fastest. you cant compare two different models clocks (etc a GTX 760 and GTX 770) since the cards are made differently.

boost clock is the same, just a value the card can boost to if the performance is needed.

Cuda Cores are Nvidia cards "processors", whereas stream processors is the AMD version of this. CUDA tends to be well used in programs.


I think this would be a clear winner in your budget, the GTX 750ti, would easily run on your psu even if it's very low end:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc...
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:25:50 PM

NiCoM said:
Core clock is the speed of the gpu (in some way), you can use it to find out which card, within one type (etc a GTX 750ti), is the fastest. you cant compare two different models clocks (etc a GTX 760 and GTX 770) since the cards are made differently.

boost clock is the same, just a value the card can boost to if the performance is needed.

Cuda Cores are Nvidia cards "processors", whereas stream processors is the AMD version of this. CUDA tends to be well used in programs.


I think this would be a clear winner in your budget, the GTX 750ti, would easily run on your psu even if it's very low end:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc...


Thanks for saying what I said... Really helpful.
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May 5, 2014 12:26:48 PM

Quote:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009O7YORK/?tag=pcpapi-20 its 109$ and its well worth the upgrade get with this motherboard http://www.microcenter.com/product/379475/M5A78L-M_LX_P...


Keep in mind the price has to stay low. Getting a $150 graphics card will already bump the price higher than I'd like it to be as it is. The motherboard you suggested only has a max of 8gb of RAM and the most attractive part of building a pc (in my personal opinion) is the ability to upgrade. I'll for sure be upgrading and adding on as time passes.
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:28:20 PM

aaroneugenee said:
Quote:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009O7YORK/?tag=pcpapi-20 its 109$ and its well worth the upgrade get with this motherboard http://www.microcenter.com/product/379475/M5A78L-M_LX_P...


Keep in mind the price has to stay low. Getting a $150 graphics card will already bump the price higher than I'd like it to be as it is. The motherboard you suggested only has a max of 8gb of RAM and the most attractive part of building a pc (in my personal opinion) is the ability to upgrade. I'll for sure be upgrading and adding on as time passes.


Look at what I posted... The GPU is $150 + 7% off right now... That PSU is 6 bucks cheaper then the one you wanted, but by a better brand, and more then enough for your build.
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May 5, 2014 12:30:40 PM

Quote:
$150 and under, 750 ti

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

That one is also 7% off.

This one doesn't require a PCIE power connection, and is $139 after "MIR"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Don't buy a "Raidmax" PSU (or anything Raidmax)... Get this one, Corsair CX430. Should be more then enough if you stick to that 750 ti..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


Saving me a few bucks and suggesting something better.. appreciate it! :) 
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:33:11 PM

chargeit said:
NiCoM said:
Core clock is the speed of the gpu (in some way), you can use it to find out which card, within one type (etc a GTX 750ti), is the fastest. you cant compare two different models clocks (etc a GTX 760 and GTX 770) since the cards are made differently.

boost clock is the same, just a value the card can boost to if the performance is needed.

Cuda Cores are Nvidia cards "processors", whereas stream processors is the AMD version of this. CUDA tends to be well used in programs.


I think this would be a clear winner in your budget, the GTX 750ti, would easily run on your psu even if it's very low end:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc...


Thanks for saying what I said... Really helpful.


Yes? i recommended the same gpu?? and so what?

and it's not the same, since i actually took the time to explain all the differences on gpus he wanted to know about.
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:34:43 PM

NiCoM said:
chargeit said:
NiCoM said:
Core clock is the speed of the gpu (in some way), you can use it to find out which card, within one type (etc a GTX 750ti), is the fastest. you cant compare two different models clocks (etc a GTX 760 and GTX 770) since the cards are made differently.

boost clock is the same, just a value the card can boost to if the performance is needed.

Cuda Cores are Nvidia cards "processors", whereas stream processors is the AMD version of this. CUDA tends to be well used in programs.


I think this would be a clear winner in your budget, the GTX 750ti, would easily run on your psu even if it's very low end:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc...


Thanks for saying what I said... Really helpful.


Yes? i recommended the same gpu?? and so what?

and it's not the same, since i actually took the time and find this gentlemen a $139,50 GTX 750ti...


Off of PC part picker? I bet it comes out to more after tax... Newegg doesn't charge tax, and is selling the GPU I mentioned for 7% off.. Oh, and it's free shipping...
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:35:03 PM

Does anyone else agree that using an athlon over a 6300 is a waste in this configuration?
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May 5, 2014 12:35:56 PM

NiCoM said:
chargeit said:
NiCoM said:
Core clock is the speed of the gpu (in some way), you can use it to find out which card, within one type (etc a GTX 750ti), is the fastest. you cant compare two different models clocks (etc a GTX 760 and GTX 770) since the cards are made differently.

boost clock is the same, just a value the card can boost to if the performance is needed.

Cuda Cores are Nvidia cards "processors", whereas stream processors is the AMD version of this. CUDA tends to be well used in programs.


I think this would be a clear winner in your budget, the GTX 750ti, would easily run on your psu even if it's very low end:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc...


Thanks for saying what I said... Really helpful.


Yes? i recommended the same gpu?? and so what?

and it's not the same, since i actually took the time to find this gentlemen a $139,50 GTX 750ti. AND explain all the differences on gpus he wanted to know about.


Indeed you did, thank you.
Chargeit, you found me a good (probably obvious) choice for a PSU, so I thank you for that.
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:36:01 PM

firo40 said:
Does anyone else agree that using an athlon over a 6300 is a waste in this configuration?


Yea, I'd go for the FX 6300, have one in my ol'ladys rig with a HD 7850, and it's a good budget gaming rig.


*Yea, np about the PSU. That CX430 will meet your needs and then some man.
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:36:51 PM

chargeit said:
NiCoM said:
chargeit said:
NiCoM said:
Core clock is the speed of the gpu (in some way), you can use it to find out which card, within one type (etc a GTX 750ti), is the fastest. you cant compare two different models clocks (etc a GTX 760 and GTX 770) since the cards are made differently.

boost clock is the same, just a value the card can boost to if the performance is needed.

Cuda Cores are Nvidia cards "processors", whereas stream processors is the AMD version of this. CUDA tends to be well used in programs.


I think this would be a clear winner in your budget, the GTX 750ti, would easily run on your psu even if it's very low end:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc...


Thanks for saying what I said... Really helpful.


Yes? i recommended the same gpu?? and so what?

and it's not the same, since i actually took the time and find this gentlemen a $139,50 GTX 750ti...


Off of PC part picker? I bet it comes out to more after tax... Newegg doesn't charge tax, and is selling the GPU I mentioned for 7% off.. Oh, and it's free shipping...


Stop ranting, its not helping anyone... and its the same site we linked, just different methods of finding it. Let's all be good friends here and help this guy out :) 
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May 5, 2014 12:37:34 PM

chargeit said:
NiCoM said:
chargeit said:
NiCoM said:
Core clock is the speed of the gpu (in some way), you can use it to find out which card, within one type (etc a GTX 750ti), is the fastest. you cant compare two different models clocks (etc a GTX 760 and GTX 770) since the cards are made differently.

boost clock is the same, just a value the card can boost to if the performance is needed.

Cuda Cores are Nvidia cards "processors", whereas stream processors is the AMD version of this. CUDA tends to be well used in programs.


I think this would be a clear winner in your budget, the GTX 750ti, would easily run on your psu even if it's very low end:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc...


Thanks for saying what I said... Really helpful.


Yes? i recommended the same gpu?? and so what?

and it's not the same, since i actually took the time and find this gentlemen a $139,50 GTX 750ti...


Off of PC part picker? I bet it comes out to more after tax... Newegg doesn't charge tax, and is selling the GPU I mentioned for 7% off.. Oh, and it's free shipping...


Haha settle, gentlemen. It isn't that big of a deal. I would have chosen the cheaper one after tax/shipping anyways :D 
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May 5, 2014 12:41:40 PM

chargeit said:
firo40 said:
Does anyone else agree that using an athlon over a 6300 is a waste in this configuration?


Yea, I'd go for the FX 6300, have one in my ol'ladys rig with a HD 7850, and it's a good budget gaming rig.


*Yea, np about the PSU. That CX430 will meet your needs and then some man.


Getting the 6300 and the motherboard firo suggested would put my build at $516 before any shipping, which is over my mid 400s range, AND limits me to only 8GB of RAM if I ever decided to upgrade.
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:45:14 PM

You will not need more then 8 gbs of ram for gaming only for editing. If you decide to take the athlon it will work but you will be way more bottlnecked in games then if you went with a 6300. Im just trying to save you buyers remorse as the platform you are using is more meant for APU's not a dedicated cpu and gpu.
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May 5, 2014 12:56:55 PM

If I get the 6300, I will most likely go with this mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

It gives me 16GB Ram to work with, which if I ever did add ram I doubt I'd pass 16g for a looong time.

But this also puts me at $371 without a graphics card. Now I kinda wanna put the graphics card at a $120 limit.

I should add I'm in no rush to play the latest games on ultra and 1080p. I'm very used to playing things like skyrim on medium and lowered res for example. Playing on high at 40-50fps would feel like heaven to me.


Updated build:
CPU - AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5Ghz 6-core - $119.99
RAM - G.Skill single 4GB stick - $38.99
MB - MSI 760GM-P34 (FX) AM3+ - $52.99
PSU - Corsair Cx430 - $44.99
HDD - Wester Digital WD Blue 1TB - $59.99
Case - Rosewill LINE GLOW ATX Mid Tower - $54.99
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Best solution

a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 12:59:48 PM

aaroneugenee said:
If I get the 6300, I will most likely go with this mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

It gives me 16GB Ram to work with, which if I ever did add ram I doubt I'd pass 16g for a looong time.

But this also puts me at $371 without a graphics card. Now I kinda wanna put the graphics card at a $120 limit.

I should add I'm in no rush to play the latest games on ultra and 1080p. I'm very used to playing things like skyrim on medium and lowered res for example. Playing on high at 40-50fps would feel like heaven to me.


Updated build:
CPU - AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5Ghz 6-core - $119.99
RAM - G.Skill single 4GB stick - $38.99
MB - MSI 760GM-P34 (FX) AM3+ - $52.99
PSU - Corsair Cx430 - $44.99
HDD - Wester Digital WD Blue 1TB - $59.99
Case - Rosewill LINE GLOW ATX Mid Tower - $54.99


Then non-ti for you! ;) 

GTX 750 is $115
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-01gp42751k...

removing the ti version for a better cpu (FX6300) i a valid choice.

EDIT: you can get it at newegg for 120: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Share
May 5, 2014 1:01:06 PM

Also, strictly newegg because shameless newegg fanboy
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 1:06:09 PM

Agree with the 6300 cpu.

I know it puts you over your budget, but isnt it worth it to spend a little more now, even if it means waiting a little longer to buy something today that is not nearly as good. When you do upgrade in the future that 760k is going to be a bottleneck and then you will have to buy a new cpu and motherboard which will be way more costly down the road then the $40 price difference in the CPU.
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May 5, 2014 1:07:24 PM

At this point I don't even mind. The 750 looks good to me :D  I'm excited.

Also, another noob question.
Where it says "expansions" under motherboard specs, is that extra? or are those the main slots?
The GTX 750 says PCI express 3.0 but the chosen motherboard only has
PCI Express 2.0 x16 - 1
PCI Express x1 - 1
PCI Express - 1
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a b U Graphics card
May 5, 2014 1:10:09 PM


aaroneugenee said:
At this point I don't even mind. The 750 looks good to me :D  I'm excited.

Also, another noob question.
Where it says "expansions" under motherboard specs, is that extra? or are those the main slots?
The GTX 750 says PCI express 3.0 but the chosen motherboard only has
PCI Express 2.0 x16 - 1
PCI Express x1 - 1
PCI Express - 1


The 750 ti would be put into the "PCI E 2.0 x16" slot... You'll notice no performance loss.
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