Best affordable GPU to get by on, on an old motherboard and cpu ( GA - M56S-S3/ AMD 64X2 5200 Dual Core 2.. don't laugh... )

DaiHole · Feb 2, 2016

So basically I am looking to pump some pounds into my rig..... But want to spread the pain out a little.
So I'm looking for a GPU that can give me some decent excitement with bf4, the cryses games, a bit o' bioshock, cod that sort of thing.... Until I can afford getting a new motherboard and cpu.

I don't have the biggest budget of all time either....i could blag, max, a £130 gpu to the wife before things got ugly..... Then the next month or so.... About the same £ on a cpu/motherboard.

.... I played a lot more in my uni days.... About 7yrs ago....so most of my rig is that old....

AMD 64X2 5200 Dual Core 2.7Ghz
- GA - M56S-S3 Motherboard
- 6 GB (2x1)+(2x2) OCZ 800MHz DDR2 RAM
- Crucial bx200 240gb SSD
- 300GB SEAGATE HDD
- 600watt psu
- Alpine 64 GT CPU cooler

I have done a good bit of research and feel I'm drawn to the Sapphire R7 370 Nitro 4gb....

also (for later), i liked the look (and the price) of the AMD fx4300 black edition, as a good pair for the 370

But I also saw this....

http://www.awd-it.co.uk/amd-a8-7600-3.8ghz-quad-core-cpu-asus-a88xm-a-motherboard-ddr3-hdmi-4k-bundle.html

So...... Could the 370 nitro be a good one for me in the meantime until I get a motherboard and cpu? As in could my current system handle any of it until I can get the rest?

What motherboard would suit the fx4300 / r7 370 setup?

Is the dual graphics routw worth exploring with the A8?

Thanks so much guys......

rcald2000 · Feb 2, 2016

I believe this is the highest end GPU that I would consider with that setup (EVGA b-stock GTX 950). I'm not entirely sure it will work be compatible since it's PCIe 3.0 and your motherboard appears to be PCIe 1.0, but it's worth a shot. You could always return or sell it. That is the most that I'd personally be willing to invest in that rig, and even then it's diminishing returns with that CPU. Btw, no worries about the age of the rig; I used to have an AMD 64 3500+ (single core). At least yours is dual core. Be cool.

http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=02G-P4-2957-RX

bootcher · Feb 2, 2016

The AMD APU's are not really worth it unless on a very tight budget. If you're planning on getting a dedicated GPU the FX CPU's are better, or the X4 860K. The dual graphics setup does not work very well and gets smashed easily by lower end GPU's, for example the 370.

If choosing the AMD FX CPU, a good budget motherboard with decent overclocking abilities is the MSI 970 gaming. You might also consider an intel i3, which is a dual core with hyperthreading which makes it perform like a quad core CPU. They usually outperform their equivalent AMD counterparts, unless there is heavy overclocking involved.

DaiHole · Feb 2, 2016

Reply to rcald2000 - - - - - -

"I believe this is the highest end CPU that I would consider with that setup (EVGA b-stock GTX 950). I'm not entirely sure it will work be compatible since it's PCIe 3.0 and your motherboard appears to be PCIe 1.0, but it's worth a shot. You could always return or sell it. That is the most that I'd personally be willing to invest in that rig, and even then it's diminishing returns with that CPU. Btw, no worries about the age of the rig; I used to have an AMD 64 3500+ (single core). At least yours is dual core. Be cool.

http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=02G-P4-295......... "

Thanks man for the reply....

Some how..... Its pci e 2....according to cpu-z.. I thought pci 3 cards were backwards compatible?.....

I guess i need a card that'll work some what with this rig (for the next 2months or so) and then be a decent addition to my next... If it's possible...... If not..... Ill need to grovel

ComputerSecurityGuy · Feb 2, 2016

For an interim CPU upgrade you could pick up a Phenom II according to this CPU support list. http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2607
You wouldn't even have to replace the RAM. And for a GPU I would say a GTX 750 Ti or GTX 950, or aforementioned R7 370. All good picks.

rcald2000 · Feb 2, 2016

@DaiHole, you are correct: PCIe 3.0 cards are definitely backward compatible with PCIe 2.x. I must have misread the motherboard manufacturer website specs; my mistake. The GTX 950 is supposed to be a respectable upgrade over a 750 Ti. For the price that I hyperlinked for you, I think it's a winner.

bootcher · Feb 2, 2016

I think it is PCI Express 1 (or 1.1), still it should be backwards compatible and work with modern GPU's. You won't get the full performance out of it anyways with your current CPU. Just make sure your current PSU has the capability of powering the GPU.

natcha12 · Feb 2, 2016

Its surely different per card but I've seen reports of "just" 20~30% performance loss pcie 3 v 2

johnnyb105 · Feb 2, 2016

The best card I would pair that setup with would be the r 370 or the 960 and then if you upgrade in the future say a year or so you can transfer the card over to the newer system anything beyond those cards will surely bottleneck the system and PCI-3 IS BACKWARDS TO PCI E 1.0 I don't belive there be a 20 or 30 percent decrease in performance besides you have pci e 2 already you be good to go .. Just be safe that your power supply is up to snuff on your system.

I might add even a 750TI would be plenty for now on that system to hold you over.

DaiHole · Feb 2, 2016

Thanks guys appreciate the advice!!!! I think I'm going see which of the 370 and the 950 I can find for best price.....

I do have another question, I saw an overclocked version of the 360.....with a 1.2ghz core and 6.5 memory clocks..... What is it that make this less Powerful than the 370 and the 950, because this one was around 80£? I guess I'm just looking for any other important features of a card to distinguish them other than the clocks because it doesn't seem to fit on just that (sorry if its a stupid question.

DaiHole · Feb 2, 2016

Like these for example
https://www.ballicom.co.uk/r7-360-2gd5-ocv1-msi-amd-r7-360-oc-clock-1100mhz--mem-6000mhz-2gb-128bit-ddr5-hdmidldviidp-sleeve-fan-dx12-pcie-30-graphics-card.p1201273.html?ref=PLA&gclid=Cj0KEQiAxMG1BRDFmu3P3qjwmeMBEiQAEzSDLisJ0B-TmCS_3FkLhHIevxV3Jh1BSs5IGzkvP1rD_6EaAjJ28P8HAQ

bootcher · Feb 2, 2016

The 370 is a different chip, it is simply more powerful, no matter how high the 360 is clocked, the 370 will always outperform it. The GTX 950 performs about the same as a 370, but consumes less power, but costs a little bit more.

DaiHole · Feb 3, 2016

So I think I've found the card gonna spend a little more in the hope of a nicer combo later....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00T80L3GI?me=A2OAJ7377F756P&ref=olp_product_details#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1454485100057

bootcher · Feb 3, 2016

For that money I would buy a R9 380, it performs better than a GTX 960.

DaiHole · Feb 3, 2016

bootcher :

Yeah I'm going for one in the offers underneath the main priced one.... The same card for 137£ from Amazon warehouse, the box is just scratched apparently.... And i still get warranty on it...

Unless you've seen a R9 380 for that price..... I've only seen 160 and above....

bootcher · Feb 3, 2016

I see, it is a returned item. The lowest price for a new R9 380 is 150: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/parts/video-card/#c=310&sort=a8&page=1

Used you might get a better deal, but I wouldn't trust used/returned items.

DaiHole · Feb 9, 2016

Hey guys, So I actually got the r7 370 OC 4gb, and was intending on using it in the mean time until I can buy a new mobo/cpu……..So turns out, after sorting out my HDD with a SSD , that during bf4 and crisis 2 start up, my little dual core was maxing permanently, both cores at 100% and the games would start, would freeze and then crash.

The strange thing being that with my older cards (hd4870 and 9800gt), I could run both games on the lowest settings, and complete crisis 2 comfortably with that cpu/gpu set up. Is it just the sheer volume of data coming from the gpu that the cpu can cope with it?

As I was awaiting arrival of my card, I looked further into my choice, and decided firmly that im returning the r7 370, and ill get the GTX 960 MOC 2gb. Which outperforms the 370 quite considerably.

So this presented another problem…….a new processor

Im decided on the fx6300…..but I need to be sure of a compatible motherboard…….. the Asus M5A78L-m LX3……..is there anything wrong with this combo? Ill admit, it was just the cheapest, mobo I could find (as suggested by amazon and my basic knowledge….) but I just wanted to pick the communal tom brain and make sure its compatible and wont burn out….

Cheers all

bootcher · Feb 9, 2016

The M5A78L-m LX3 is an AM3+ mobo so will work with the FX 6300, though it might need a BIOS update first. Rememeber it also needs DDR3 ram to function.

I suspect your previous combo crashing due to simply not compatible with your motherboard, or it might be a failing or simply not powerful enough PSU. 7 year old components aren't exactly reliable so it could be anything.

Best affordable GPU to get by on, on an old motherboard and cpu ( GA - M56S-S3/ AMD 64X2 5200 Dual Core 2.. don't laugh... )

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