[Solved] Best Graphics Card for under $80 USD

Forum Graphics & Displays : Graphics Cards [Solved] Best Graphics Card for under $80 USD

Hi, I am looking to build a new computer. For the Processor I think i am getting the AMD Athlon x3 3.0 ghz 440 (I hope thats the correct name) I am still deciding on the mother board but i am totally stumped on the Graphics Card. I was thinking about the Nvidia 220 gt but found out its not that great, so i found the 240 gt but found out thats a bad deal for the money. So I started looking at ATI cards and got 5x more confused. Basically, I need a card for around or under $80 that will let me edit 720p video (with Cyberlink Powerdirecter), use TurboCad without interruptions and lag, and I am hoping to learn c++ or some other langauge but i don't think the graphics card effects that in any way (at least I hope it doesn't). Also, I need it to have HDMI out because I will be using this on a 40" 1080p screen. I don't plan on gaming much if that helps. Thanks for any help!

Reply to Michillin212

maybe this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161315

Reply to wa1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121354

The GT 240 would be a bit faster in gaming than an HD 4670. While you said that isn't a big concern of yours why get a weaker card for the same price all other things being equal? That said I do have experience with an HD 4670 (built a PC for my sister) and its a fine little card.

There are better deals that would end up being $80 or less, but you'd have to go through a rebate process to arrive at that price. Is that an issue for you or would you rather have a less than $80 before any rebate?

Message edited by jeffredo on 05-22-2010 at 06:10:17 PM

Reply to jeffredo

Wow, Thanks for the fast replys! I don't mind the rebates but I probably won't buy the parts for a few weeks and by then the special deals and rebates will be over. I have been reading around and found that GPU's don't effect video editing very much. So would i be better off buying a cheaper GPU but getting a quad core processor instead of a triple core?

Reply to Michillin212

If you are looking for good deals but willing to take the risk of buying second hand then there is quite a few decent choices. 3870/8800gt/9800gt and if you are very lucky a 4830/50. 3870 $56, x1900xt $51, 9800gt 1gb $80, 8800gtx $32, and a 6800gt $11.

Reply to nforce4max

So, if I get something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161321 i could still edit hd video? And if I get this CPU (I know this isn't the right place for it but...) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103702 My editing experience should be easier, as in little lag? And finally would i still be able to produce edited video in multiple formats from cyberlink? Thank you for all of everyones help!

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Reply to Michillin212

Best answer

Michillin212 wrote :

here is the Athlon II x3 440 vs x4 635, you can see in video editing and encoding the 4th core makes a nice difference.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/119?vs=122

If you don't play games and just want to edit video, an ATI 5570 with an HDMI port would make a fine choice .

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ defeating idiot fan boys since 2008.
Reply to ct1615

Actually, you can play games with an HD 5570 at modest settings. Its more or less about as fast as an HD 4670.

Reply to jeffredo

For the processor you may want to consider a Phenom II x2 and a motherboard that allows you to unlock the other cores. From what I've read the odds of getting a functional quad core out of it is very high.

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Reply to jyjjy

jyjjy wrote :

don't buy a X2 hoping to get a x4 out of it. i can attest that the chances are still a matter of luck and there is no sure thing. If you want a quad core, buy one. If you can live with a dual core, get a x2 and hope for the best.

------------------------------ defeating idiot fan boys since 2008.
Reply to ct1615

Wow! Thank you for everyones help and in such short time! I think i will go with the 5570 and the x4 635! Once again thanks for everyones help!

Reply to Michillin212

Well of course it's a matter of luck, the chances are pretty decent though supposedly. The same applies for a x3 chip; get a board that allows you to try to unlock the 4th core.

Reply to jyjjy