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Debating between two graphics cards

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  • GPUs
  • Comparison
  • Card
  • Graphics Cards
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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July 20, 2014 12:19:10 AM

I'm in the process (starting to at least) of upgrading an old system someone recently gave to me. Specifically,

System: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc=e...

Motherboard: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01...

Monitor: HP w2338h (1920x1080)

Yeah I know it's an old low end system and that there's not much room for improvement. Point is later on down the road when I have more money I'll be making major changes to this build and everything. For now I'd just like to add in a graphics card (which I know likely won't be at full potential due to the older PCI x16) however that isn't too much of a problem as I'll be using whatever graphics card I decide on in the completed build anyway.

On to the main question, between these two cards which should I buy,

GTX 750Ti Superclock: ~ $139.99 after rebate
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclock-Dual-Link-Graphic...

or

Radeon R9 270: ~ $149.99 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I realize for either card I'll need a new power supply so that's not an issue. I get the impression that the 270 is definitely the better card, however typically AMD's card seem to have a much higher power consumption. Just how much better is the 270, and would it be worth it over the 750ti?

Also is there a possibility of the card simply not working in the motherboard? The board is PCI x16 so I figured they should fit but I could be wrong.

More about : debating graphics cards

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a b U Graphics card
July 20, 2014 12:48:29 AM

I'd say that, "Yes, the 270 does consume more power. But it delivers more for the performance."

http://www.hwcompare.com/17282/geforce-gtx-750-ti-vs-ra...
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July 21, 2014 12:26:27 PM

BananaAgent said:
I'm in the process (starting to at least) of upgrading an old system someone recently gave to me. Specifically,

System: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc=e...

Motherboard: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01...

Monitor: HP w2338h (1920x1080)

Yeah I know it's an old low end system and that there's not much room for improvement. Point is later on down the road when I have more money I'll be making major changes to this build and everything. For now I'd just like to add in a graphics card (which I know likely won't be at full potential due to the older PCI x16) however that isn't too much of a problem as I'll be using whatever graphics card I decide on in the completed build anyway.

On to the main question, between these two cards which should I buy,

GTX 750Ti Superclock: ~ $139.99 after rebate
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclock-Dual-Link-Graphic...

or

Radeon R9 270: ~ $149.99 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I realize for either card I'll need a new power supply so that's not an issue. I get the impression that the 270 is definitely the better card, however typically AMD's card seem to have a much higher power consumption. Just how much better is the 270, and would it be worth it over the 750ti?

Also is there a possibility of the card simply not working in the motherboard? The board is PCI x16 so I figured they should fit but I could be wrong.



I don't know if this will help you but since you're using a fairly old system the specs don't state if it is PCI x16 v1.0 or PCI x16 v2.0. I'm guessing it is PCI x16 v2.0 compliant.

From what you have stated it sounds like you are trying to save money for a big upgrade.

Performance goes to the R9 290 which uses up to 150 Watts TDP.
The GTX 750 Ti would use 60 Watts TDP.

Given these two choices and your worry about needing to buy a newer power supply, I would choose the GTX 750 Ti as it uses 40% of the energy the R9 290 uses at MAX. In addition if you're paying the power bill yourself and not staying at home with the parents then it only makes sense to use less energy as well.

Performance show the R9 290 is about a 16% better performer at nearly 3 times the power usage of the GTX 750 Ti.

If you are leaning towards a GTX 750 now, I will offer you a different brand if it is about saving a bit more money.

For $125 you can get the GTX 750 non Ti version for less.

This Asus GTX750-PHOC-1GD5 uses 55 Watts TDP and is a rear single slot graphics card but will occupy two slots internally due to the cooler. Since it uses 5 Watts less than the Ti version the computer temps will also be slightly cooler internally. You can open up the 2nd slot up for ventilation or seal it off with a filler bracket in the back to stop dust from entering. It powers right off the PCIe slot so no worries about taxing your old power supply or needing to buy additional power connectors if your power supply doesn't have the correct one. Your power supply is rated at 300 Watts but it's probably 75% efficient and giving 225 usable Watts minus the 55 Watts of a GTX 750 and you will be left with 170 Watts of headroom. I also suggest disabling the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9100 in the BIOS and selecting the default graphics card source as PCIe instead of the integrated GeForce 9100m after you are able to install and use the new graphics card. This might squeeze off another 12 watts otherwise if left enabled it will still use up energy. Replacing it with this graphics card would push your current power supply only 43 more Watts than it normal did with NVIDIA GeForce 9100m.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/1526/geforce-9100m-g-m...

This link seems to confirm the integrated GPU is PCIe x16 v2.0 compliant.

Your motherboard looks to have a VGA and a DVI-D connector on the back.

The Asus GTX750-PHOC-1GD5 has the legacy VGA analog video connector for reusing older monitors, DVI-D for newer monitors, and HDMI with audio for hooking up to a receiver. So whatever you're using to connect to your display it has it. My guess is you might be still using a VGA connector and if so this is perfect.

Here's a link for it $125 Tax Free if not located in New York and has Free shipping.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1034240-REG/asus_...

Amazon also sells it for $125 but if you're Taxable then you're paying more even with a $10 MIR. Otherwise if you are Tax Free then it will bring it down to $115 plus the stamp cost and printing rebate materials.

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-GTX750-PHOC-1GD5-ASUS-Graphi...

I wouldn't go the route of the R9 270 unless you upgrade that power supply first to like 500 or 600 Watts minimum and aren't paying for the electricity bills yourself. But since you plan on reupgrading the power supply in the future it make more sense to save up the money using your old PSU and using a more energy efficient GTX 750 while sacrificing only 16% in performance and when you are ready to truly upgrade, get a new PSU that matches your graphics card upgrade energy needs.


Hope that helps. :sarcastic: 

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July 21, 2014 7:37:02 PM

270 ftw. i am personally putting 2 270x in my build
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August 5, 2014 7:50:11 AM

Since you have AMD CPU go for AMD GPU... End of the story. Nvidia with AMD is like oil with water.
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