Looking for a low budget Graphics Card...need help.

Nicole Jay

Commendable
Aug 7, 2016
2
0
1,510
So I have this old desktop pc that I wish to upgrade now that my interest in gaming is about to reach its climax! Broke as I was, I couldn't even think of an upgrade so diverted myself with 2D games like The king of fighters series, old sonic games etc. but now that I've saved up some money I've been told to upgrade just that...graphics card. Because when playing 3D games, sometimes I see white and gray colors during the entire gameplay, and with other games, where colors are not the issue, characters look like different geometrical shapes unlike the ones shown in google images. Games wouldn't allow me to enable anti-aliasing and another message I often get is "Hardware Transform and Lighting required"...

Here are the current specs:
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Motherboard: 0H8052 System Model: Optiplex GX520
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80 GHz
RAM: 2GB
Graphics Card: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
Approx. Total Memory: 224.0 MB

Please recommend me a card that's COMPATIBLE with the rest of the system- processor, RAM, fan etc. I intend on playing popular games between 2002 and 2010... something good but not too advanced either...Thanks!
 
Solution
A pcie powered Gtx 950 (~$135) or 750Ti (~$100) or wait a week for the RX 460 to launch ($100-125).

Make sure its a pcie powered model that does NOT require a 6 pin power source...otherwise your power supply probably won't be able to handle it.

Zaxx420

Honorable
Aug 7, 2013
137
0
10,710
A pcie powered Gtx 950 (~$135) or 750Ti (~$100) or wait a week for the RX 460 to launch ($100-125).

Make sure its a pcie powered model that does NOT require a 6 pin power source...otherwise your power supply probably won't be able to handle it.
 
Solution

Nicole Jay

Commendable
Aug 7, 2016
2
0
1,510


And any fan upgrade to go along with that? I haven't checked mine myself but HWMonitor tells me its maintaining a temperature of 42 deg C
 

Zaxx420

Honorable
Aug 7, 2013
137
0
10,710
Probably a great idea. Not sure...but Dell usually uses a single exhaust fan to 'pull' air thru different inlets to cool components better too. I'd deff find out what size and type fan(s) they use and give em a little upgrade to help get rid of any xtra heat the 460 (or other) may generate. It's a cheap and usually easy thing to do and will help insure thing keep runnin smooth (and cool).