Best graphics card i can get with 300W PSU?

[ryancxg]

some of my computer specs are:
intel core 2 quadcore q8200
6GB

It has an integrated graphics card at the moment.

Will my computer even last long with a quadcore processor? i heard that 300w+quadcore = bad.

What graphics card can i get and would my computer be able to support it and itself for a long time?

Im hoping for a gpu that can handle upcoming modern warfare 2 and left 4 dead 2 on med quality and decent resolution.

from what i see on my PSU:
manufaturer: i think its LITEON
Input 100-127V~/8A 50-60HZ
Output +5v/25A MAX +12V/19A MAX +5Vsb/2A MAX
Combined power on +5V and 3.3V Rails not exceed 175W MAX
Combined power on +12Vband +5V rails no exceed 268W MAX

My monitor is 23 inches i think? but it has its own power cord i plugged into the wall.

 

[WR2]

Not all 300W PSUs are the same quality.
Got a make and model on yours?

 

[WR2]

What size / resolution monitor will you be using?

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

The Nvidia GT220 is what they use on laptops. The power requirements are based on the entire PC, being that they use top end hardware, you SHOULD be able to get by on your 8200 and 300 watt power supply. The card does not require any additional power cables. IF you can you may wanna purchase this locally and see if it works.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125295&cm_re=gt220-_-14-125-295-_-Product

 

[WR2]

Depending on the quality of your PSU you might be able to use a 5750 video card or even a 5770.

 

[Onyx2291]

The GT 220 is the highest nvidia card at a recommended 300w to my knowledge.

Not sure about ATI, 5750-5770 are.. Well pretty sure they take quite a bit more than that 300w should be able to even though they are pretty efficient for what they do.

I think the 4550 needs about 300w minimum.

 

[loneninja]

I'm using a 4670 on a 380W psu, however mine is an antec earthwatts. Oh and the 4670 paired with a 3.0Ghz Athlon X2 7750 runs the L4D2 demo flawlessly with max settings at 1680x1050.

 

[sammey123]

LiteOn, isnt that a disc drive?

 

[jj463rd]

These Radeon HD3650 graphics cards require a minimum 300 watt power supply so they are decent unless you plan to upgrade your power supply.Plus the HD 3650 is actually a little higher up on the GPU hierarchy Chart than the HD4550.I have two of them installed in each PC as upgrades for some low end free PC's with 300 watt power supplies.I have both a Sapphire version and a 1 GB Powercooler version.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2464-8.html

Powercooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131169
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131168

also this Sapphire brand card too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102726

 

[fun_fan]

What about those 9800 gt EE cards? Anyone knows if the are safe on a 300w PS? Here's the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133279&Tpk=9800 ee

 

[jj463rd]

What about those 9800 gt EE cards? Anyone knows if the are safe on a 300w PS? Here's the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133279&Tpk=9800 ee

I couldn't find it at the manufacturers page however the 1024mb version of the card says a minimum 400 watts needed

http://www3.pny.com/9800-GT-EE-1024MB-PCIe-P2860C331.aspx#Specifications

It does look a 9400 GT card does meet the 300 watt minimum power supply specifications though.
This one here
http://www3.pny.com/9400-GT-1024MB-PCIe-P2811C331.aspx

The 9400 GT is about on par on Tom's hierarchy chart as the Radeon 4550

 

[WR2]

+12V/19A MAX
Combined power on +12Vband +5V rails no exceed 268W MAX

Not such good news I'm afraid.
The 19Amps +12V MAX rating probably means the continuous rating is even lower. And it's the +12V supply that determines how powerful you can go in the video card.

For comparison here is the data plate on a good 300W PSU (looks like +12V 24Amps continuous=288W divided by 12):

fun_fan's find of that 9800GT EE card looks to be about the best chance of finding a card that will run the 23" monitor (1920x1080? or 1680x1050?) on med-low quality settings and still be playable for new games. Left4Dead should be OK on med or even med-high as it's not that demanding a game.

 

[ryancxg]

so do you think i can run a card that requires 300w minimuim smoothly at least?

 

[ryancxg]

and with my quadcore processor?

 

[jj463rd]

I'll tell you that one of the PC's that I have with the radeon 3650 has a combined power on +12Vband +5V rails not to exceed 280W MAX and I am using a CPU rated 89 watt TDP.

I think that your best and safest bet is to replace your power supply first with a beefier one say around 500 watts or a little higher.You might get away with using a Radeon 3650 or a GT 9400 but you would be taking a chance on blowing your power supply which might take the mobo with it.

 

[x_2fast4u_x]

Probably not your best bet going with a video card that is two generations behind.

I suggest this 4670, it does not require a secondary power cord, and should run nicely, its XFX so it is of good quality, and for $70 you can be playing all the new games at med-low settings with high resolution and perhaps even a little AA/AF.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150450

To be 100% honest I suggest going with a new PS/Videocard, because PSU's and Videocards can be carried over to a new rig. This is a solid pair that can very well last through a new build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.274502

Price: $250.00 (free 3 day shipping)

This is a very solid duo, Antec is known for there superb PSU's and XFX is known for there top in class video cards support and warranty. The 750watt PSU will last you for a time to come, and the 5770 is a current generation card with power to spare.

http://www.techspot.com/review/209-ati-radeon-hd-5770/

 

[tsnor]

Without changing the pwoer supply:
1. nvidia 9600 GT is really cheap, strong and is running in a sony PC with a 300 watt PSU in the next room just fine with a Q6600 that draws more power than your CPU. The 9600 gt is good for most gaming, but you have a big monitor.
2. ati HD 4770 is a good choice. Good/excellent for gaming, and very low power. Might be the highest performance "absolutely will work" card for power consumption.
3. ati hd 5750 might work. If you game a lot and plan to change the power support if the card doesn't work then try this.

 

[ryancxg]

Without changing the pwoer supply:
1. nvidia 9600 GT is really cheap, strong and is running in a sony PC with a 300 watt PSU in the next room just fine with a Q6600 that draws more power than your CPU. The 9600 gt is good for most gaming, but you have a big monitor.
2. ati HD 4770 is a good choice. Good/excellent for gaming, and very low power. Might be the highest performance "absolutely will work" card for power consumption.
3. ati hd 5750 might work. If you game a lot and plan to change the power support if the card doesn't work then try this.

soooooo you're saying i can probably run a 9600gt or less?

 

[ryancxg]

well im mainly just wanting a graphics card that can run modern warfare 2 or left 4 dead 2 on decent resolution or something, well that can run on a 300w psu. im sorta on a low budget. i'd buy a psu if i could but im not sure if i can.

 

[Guest]

I'd say it's worth upgrading your PSU if you're running 4 cores and a modest gaming card. It might work with the 300w job but they degrade over time and there's invariably spikes and troughs in the power supply that take their toll. I'm not sure you really need an expensive one though, I'm not sure they're worth the money.

Ever since I started just overbuying no name PSUs I've never had a problem. You can get a no-name 650w for less than an Antec Basiq 350w and they last longer if you don't stress them too hard. 600w would be the minimum I'd recommend anyone get these days for peace of mind, longevity and future proofing.

I know you're on a budget but having a struggling PSU can be a whole world of seemingly random pain that can be avoided for the sake of an extra £10/£15. Also it may well pay for itself in the long run by...

a) Not melting in 6 months
b) Not needing to be upgraded when you get a beefier gfx card in the future.
c) Maybe lasting long enough to make it into your subsequent box!

Roger

 

[ryancxg]

Finally found my PSU model:
liteon ps 5301-08HA

 

[MayoHater]

You can run a GeForce GT 240 Superclocked card with a 300W power supply. http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=512-P3-1242-LR&family=GeForce 200 Series Family