Which is the best GPU that won't bottleneck?

miit123

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Oct 31, 2013
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E7200
RAM: 4GB DDR2 800MHZ
HDD: 500GB
GPU: 8400GS
MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte G31M-S2L

Got this 7 year old pc just for 50$ along with 21" monitor and speakers along with woofers and keyboard and mouse too. Only want to upgrade the GPU for now. Please no other suggestions.What's the best GPU that won't bottleneck?
 
Solution
I have no experience with GTA V.
Let me ask... How well does gta V run on the pc as it is?

If you can run it, and performance is not good enough, then you need to find out what to do.
While I would strongly suspect the graphics card, you should do some testing.

To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan...
That board can support a Core 2 Quad so I would recommend getting a Q6600 or higher later for better performance.

650 ti boost or the 7750 will suite you, there might be slight bottleneck, but atleast you can game :p I would suggest if you can to OC that cpu if you can :p
 

miit123

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I just want to play GTA V. I am not gonna buy a processor for that shit motherboard. Just tell me a GPU that won't bottleneck on this cpu. Plus, How do I overclock this CPU? (I have a stock fan).

BTW, thank you guys for those quick replies
 
I think you made a very good buy.

The best gpu will be gated by your psu.
Here is a list of psu requirements:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

If your psu is 300w, then a GT730 at $70 would be the minimal upgrade for basic gaming.
A GTX750 @$110 would be a big step up, and probably as high as is worthwhile.

There is no upper limit to graphics cards. Yes, you might be limited by your cpu, but the better the graphics card, the more eye candy you can implement. You will always do better, but at increasingly less effectiveness.
 


It actually isn't shit if you upgrade to a Q9650CPU and then get a R9 270X. Even thought your system is indeed dated. With a bit of an upgrade you can play all your games with ease :). Or if you want to stay were you are with that E7200, just get a r7 260x or a GTX 650TI :p
 
As I recall, you OC that class of cpu by raising the FSB.
Google will help.

Most games can only use 2 cores effectively, don't know if GTA V is one of them.
Buy the best graphics card your psu and your wallet can justify. You will always do better and a good card can be moved to a newer build in the future.
 

miit123

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Uhh :/ I feel confused. Yeah my PSU is probably 300W, Will post a picture of it with something they call rail input or whatever. Just hang on for a while. Pic is coming soon.
And can you name some more cpu's of the same slot which are good to go with? Cause the one you just said to me is not available in India.
 
The 8400gs probably needs 300w.
It is older and somewhat power hungry and is good only for basic operations.
Somewhat on a level of today's integrated graphics.

You should be good with a GTX750 which is power efficient and does not need an aux 6 pin connector.

Before trying to upgrade your E7200, I would see how you do with a decent graphics card.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Here is a list of the cpu's that are supported and the required bios levels:
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2693

Looking at the list, there are quad's available which you should be able to buy used.
But each core of the quads are not majorly faster than your two, so any big increase in performance has to come from being able to make use of two more cores.
Do not be misled by seeing all threads in windows task manager getting usage.
That is just windows spreading around the load.
In fact if you see each thread of a quad using 25%, that is a strong suspicion that you are looking at a single threaded app.

 

miit123

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That link was really helpful. But at some point, I just think that a GTX 750 should be fine for about a year now. After 2 years I will be in the college. Why not completely change the PSU,CPU and Motherboard? What do you think? I am not a hardcore gamer. All I want to play is just FIFA games and GTA V. I hope the system would be fine with this GPU for at least a year. After 2 years, I will change the pc up completely. What do you think?
 
The logical reason to upgrade or change your pc components is when they no longer do the job.
In your case, you need to see how well a good graphics card can do your job with what you have.
I would not bother with anything less than a GT730, and more than a GTX750ti is probably not doable, or worth it.

In time, when you have the budget and the need, there will be some even more effective modern parts available.

The emotional reason to change is when you want to. Count me in that camp. I am a sucker for the latest and I usually have the funds. I think broadwell and later, skylake will again bring more price performance to the cpu area. Perhaps one or two years... your timeframe.

Then, we will see cheaper to make 20 and 14nm graphics cards and 4k monitors.
Logically it is a good time to be patient.
Emotionally, I can hardly wait.
 

miit123

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:D So.. Do you think at least GTA V will run on medium if I have GTX 750(non ti)
 
I have no experience with GTA V.
Let me ask... How well does gta V run on the pc as it is?

If you can run it, and performance is not good enough, then you need to find out what to do.
While I would strongly suspect the graphics card, you should do some testing.

To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

My GUESS is that you will do well with a GTX750. It is a big jump over a 8400GS.
 
Solution

miit123

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I have played AC3 on this GPU which is also a really intensive game. It was not playable on 1028*720, but somewhat playable on 800*600.(In short, got good frame rate). GTA V is not out yet. Probable requirements are here:
http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=1308&game=Grand%20Theft%20Auto%20V