Best Graphics Card for the Cheapest Price

MikeyBotta · Aug 26, 2014

Processor AMD Phenom(tm) 8750B Triple-Core Processor @ 2.4 GHz
Video Card ATI Radeon 3100 Graphics
Memory 5.9 GB
Hard Drive- 160GB SATA
PCIe x16
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition Service Pack 1, 64-bit
CPU Model: HP dc5850 Mini-Tower

I believe the PSU is 300 Watts, as that is what it says on HP's website (but I will open my computer up later)

I am looking for a graphics card for under $100 that would work with my CPU. The only game I need these better graphics for, is Rust. I am currently getting 7-12 FPS and want to be.... well, better then that.

I don't really want to upgrade my PSU. Hopefully there is something that will work on my 300w PSU?

Thanks!

UPDATE*****- My PCIe is version 2.0

Is that important?

MikeyBotta · Aug 26, 2014

Update: after looking at Augusts Best Graphics Cards for the Money, I guess I am going to need a new PSU as well. What do you recommend?

turkey3_scratch · Aug 26, 2014

Get a GTX 550Ti or a 450.

anbello262 · Aug 26, 2014

I would think that 750 or 750ti would work on that PSU, but its more expensive than that... But you could use the money you would otherwise spend on the psu, maybe?

MikeyBotta · Aug 26, 2014

turkey3_scratch :

Maybe I'm lookin' in the wrong place but the 550 Ti seems to be quite a bit more than $100

MikeyBotta · Aug 26, 2014

anbello262 :

[strike] Would you recommend my PSU is at the minimum? [/strike]Actually, after reading a review it said it is mislabeled and needs a 400w PSU. http://tinyurl.com/ktowfnr
Either way that cards looks like a good deal and is a good price, but would need a new psu

anbello262 · Aug 26, 2014

The total watts of the PSU are not bery important, actually.
What is really important is the total Amps your PSU can provide on the 12v Rail.
If you don't understand much about that, just give us your PSU specs (or model#) and I'll tell you what I can.

MikeyBotta · Aug 26, 2014

anbello262 :

I just opened it up--
Model # PC7036
Part # 507895-001
ID # 021G

Made by HP

anbello262 · Aug 26, 2014

Well, your PSU is enough for the card, actually. But the PSU is very low quality, so it's VERY advisable, important even, to change it as soon as posible.
It *can* run a 750ti, but you would be risking damage on the card or other components. So, if you can, change the PSU first.

jeffredo · Aug 26, 2014

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-geforce-gtx-650-1gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card/6820308.p;jsessionid=CF3C6AC981A03CB87748C6E33E0B7A83.bbolsp-app03-135?id=1218808241974&skuId=6820308&st=gtx%20650&cp=1&lp=2

Pretty cheap, huge improvement over your current card and about all your power supply or your six year old, first generation triple core Phenom can handle. Even though it uses very little power it does need a six pin connector from your power supply.

17seconds · Aug 26, 2014

The most recent chart from TechPowerUp.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Palit/GTX_750_Ti_KalmX/27.html

anbello262 · Aug 26, 2014

I don't think that PSU can handle anything that needs a power connector, as it can barely handle a 750(ti)...

I would suggest a PSU upgrade, but if you don't, get the 750/750ti.

sora · Aug 27, 2014

I guess the R7 260x would be your best bet. What kind of power supply do you exactly have? I would try going for an XFX 450W power supply or a Seasonic 420W power supply.

jeffredo · Aug 27, 2014

He has a 300w OEM power supply in six year old pre-built PC with a very weak triple core processor @ only 2.4 ghz. The system just can't support much. A GTX 750 Ti is well above what it can use or the O.P.'s budget limit.

Payne501 · Aug 27, 2014

MikeyBotta :

I think dropping a GT640/GTX650 would do or even an R7 240/250. It will fit suitably in yr choice of games and would be a decent upgrade from your old graphics card.

MikeyBotta · Aug 27, 2014

jeffredo :

Well, my PCIe is 2.0 not 3.0 as this card uses. So it wouldnt work, correct?

anbello262 :

The 750 looks good, but yes, I would need a PSU upgrade. Is there a big difference between the Ti and the regular 750?

jeffredo :

anbello262 :

jeffredo :

If I upgrade the PSU, would the 750 work? It's not that much above my budget but if I would need to upgrade my PSU, my budget gets smaller.

jeffredo :

anbello262 :

jeffredo :

Payne501 :

The 240 has a review that says they used it and it worked fine on a 300w PSU. I mean, is that safe? Using a 400w or so thing on a 300w PSU? I dont want some sort of fire or anything lol.

ALSO** Will a PCIe 3.0 fit into a 2.0? Not sure how that stuff works really.

jeffredo · Aug 27, 2014

PCI-E 3.0 GPUs are compatible with 2.0 motherboards. All current AM3+ mobos are still PCI-E 2.0 and work fine with today's video cards.

MikeyBotta · Aug 27, 2014

Ok, so here are my final choices, let me know which one you think I should get. Remember, I'm trying to save money here, while at the same time, trying to get around 30 or more FPS, I dont care if its on low settings.
http://tinyurl.com/mettc2u My favorite at the moment
http://tinyurl.com/c2fesgx
http://tinyurl.com/bw6ztju
http://tinyurl.com/mf5o4t7
http://tinyurl.com/jwfydvp
http://tinyurl.com/lowuxvx

Payne501 · Aug 28, 2014

The 650 is actually perfect for your budget.

Though GTX 750 is considerably a higher performer card it should run pretty well on 400W PSUs.
This is so as of the card being powered on by just the PCIe x16 slot (w/o power connnectors).

As I read so far GPUs powered by only PCIe slots only consumes at most 80W(or less).
Therefore there shouldn't be a problem with ur current PSU.

But I do recommend an upgrade to a more decent PSU's as usually those rated 300W and below usually are low quality build and will not stand in the long run especially when ur using a pretty taxing GPU as the GTX 650/750s.

A Corsair PSU as this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&cm_re=corsair_cx-_-17-139-026-_-Product

would do just fine.

anbello262 · Aug 28, 2014

Get a 750. It will have lower power consumption than a 650 I believe, and will be quite stronger.

Best Graphics Card for the Cheapest Price

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