Looking to upgrade my graphics card, but need to check compatibility first

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
I

InTheEyes

Reputable
Jul 9, 2014
4
0
4,510
Currently, I'm running an NVIDIA GeForce GT 420 (2 GB dedicated memory + 2 GB shared memory) and I'd like to run Divine Divinity: Original Sin on the highest settings. I'm looking for the best compatible graphics card under $500, but don't know how to check these things...

I have an AMD Phenom II X6 1045T Processor (6 cores, ~2.7GHz, 8 GB RAM). I have a 300 watt power supply

Thanks for your help in advance!
 
Solution
KyleADunn


Good insight, and I was able to find a 750 Ti that doesn't require a 6-pin connector. Think it'd be fine for InTheEyes...
Sort by date Sort by votes
Scampi

Scampi

Reputable
May 26, 2014
666
0
5,660
-Motherboard make/model ? needs to have 1x PCI-E x16 slot.
-Power supply make/model ? needs to have enough amps on the 12v rail to power the card.
-Case make/model ? Dimensions of your case need to fit selected graphics card.
-Resolution ? Monitor resolution to know how powerful a card you need.

That budget will buy you anything up to a high end GTX 780 or R9 290X. But you'd only need a GTX 770 or R9 280X.









 
Upvote 0 Downvote
KyleADunn

KyleADunn

Honorable
Jul 8, 2014
747
0
11,660
Assuming (I shouldn't) you've got at least a 500w PSU, I'd recommend the r9 270x. But if you've got a $400 budget, I'd recommend spending ~$200 of that on a new PSU and CPU, and the remaining $200 on a GPU to prevent any bottleneck.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
KyleADunn

KyleADunn

Honorable
Jul 8, 2014
747
0
11,660


At 300w, I'll recommend two routes; 1 NVIDIA, 1 Radeon

NVIDIA: The GTX 750 Ti

Radeon: The Radeon 7750 (now deemed r7 250)

Without any upgrades to your cpu or psu, these are about as good as you'll get.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
coozie7

coozie7

Champion
Jun 2, 2007
10,015
10
59,215
Exactly which power supply is it?
That sort of wattage is normally found in OEM cases (Dell, Lenovo, HP etc) and they're not overly generous with the build quality, potentially worse is if it came with a case, they're usually very cheap and very nasty pieces of work.
Upshot is that I'll agree with the HD7750/R7 250 as it only draws 60 odd Watts at full load, but not the GTX 750Ti, they need a 6 pin PCI-E lead to run and I would certainly NOT recommend any GPU that needs a external power lead with an unknown, possibly bad PSU.
The GTX 750 (non Ti) on the other hand should also be OK.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
KyleADunn

KyleADunn

Honorable
Jul 8, 2014
747
0
11,660


Good insight, and I was able to find a 750 Ti that doesn't require a 6-pin connector. Think it'd be fine for InTheEyes?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487025
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
coozie7

coozie7

Champion
Jun 2, 2007
10,015
10
59,215
Little odd, I thought they al needed the PCI-E lead, but the Newegg specs and photos don't show one being there.
If it lacks the lead it'll be limited to 75 Watts draw, that's a s much as the PCI-E slot can provide (according to specs) and the GT 420 sips 50 Watts, so it's not exactly a big jump, so yes, it'll also be ok.
Nice find BTW.
 
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