I think it is time for a new video card...some suggestions would be helpful

jonathan_g

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May 5, 2014
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Back in 2009 I had bought a Vostro 430 mini desktop tower for myself and when I did, I had upgraded the cpu (to an i7) and the memory up to 16GB. At the time of the purchase the video card options (if I remember right) weren't all that spectacular so I thought I would just update the video card in a couple of years when I needed to. Well that never happened as the games I ended up playing didn't an intensive video card.

But now it seems like every game needs something decent so I need to upgrade it. My current video card is a Nvidia GeForce 220. I am not sure what the motherboard is on the machine but it is using a PCI-Express 2.0 x 16 port. So would anybody be able to suggest a video card that would be able to be put into its place? I understand that it being so old probably won't result in any good video cards but money is tight and I cant exactly replace my machine at the moment so this is my next best option or else I would be considering that avenue. (In case it helps my power supply is 350 watts and I would not like to replace that either if I don't have too.).
 
Solution
If you are OK with spending up to $200, get the nVidia 750 Ti, it's probably the fastest per watt card out now and will run on your 350 watt PSU.
It may not win on the price/performance ratio, but since it uses less power than a comparable cheaper card, it will work great for you without a PSU upgrade. 750 Ti should be around $140.

Although the Ti is not a huge upgrade over a 750, since you have n i7 CPU and 16 gig of RAM you may as well spend a bit more and get a card to closer match your system potential and will run games a bit better in the future.

xbizzaroz

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Feb 9, 2014
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you can easily use a pci-e 3.0 in a 2.0 mobo. and depending on your budget you can get a geforce gtx 750 which is a low power consumption video card and packs a good punch in games. what exactly is your budget?
 

jonathan_g

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May 5, 2014
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Oh that is good news. I don't really have budget but I mean if I can spend something like 200 and get something decent that will last me another few years with the machine I will be happy to spend it.
 
If you are OK with spending up to $200, get the nVidia 750 Ti, it's probably the fastest per watt card out now and will run on your 350 watt PSU.
It may not win on the price/performance ratio, but since it uses less power than a comparable cheaper card, it will work great for you without a PSU upgrade. 750 Ti should be around $140.

Although the Ti is not a huge upgrade over a 750, since you have n i7 CPU and 16 gig of RAM you may as well spend a bit more and get a card to closer match your system potential and will run games a bit better in the future.
 
Solution