PSU+Screen Resolution = Best video card to use?

[45degrees]

Hello, Techies..I need your input right now as I don't know what to do. I'm no tech expert, but i give my best to understand PC parts and terms.

Here are my PC's specs:

CPU: Intel i5 650 @ 3.20Ghz
Intel Motherboard
4 GB DDR3 memory
PSU 350W
Dell E173FP @ 1280x1024 (MAX RESOLUTION)

I really don't know as to why they used a 350W PSU when they assembled my unit. Are they being conservative here?

My question is, given the PSU and my monitor's max display resolution, what is the best video card for gaming in the market that doesn't take much power and that it won't be an overkill for my screen resolution when i will use it?

I really don't know if I should use power consuming video cards but i'm too afraid that it might not work for my unit.

I'm not much of a game freak, i only play Warcraft3: Frozen Throne (DotA) and COD4: MW 1 & 2.

Any recommendations and opinions are welcome. Looking forward for your Tech Knowledges! Thanks in advance for those who replies.

 

[45degrees]

I tried to search for answers in the web and this is so far what i found,

http://www.hardware-revolution.com/the-best-video-cards-for-your-money-june-2010/

I can't upgrade my monitor for now so it will be my display for the mean time while i have no job yet. As for the PSU, i'm still finding out if they can replace it for free. It's been 2 mos since i have it assembled. my budget for the card would be less than $120.

The article recommended using Radeon HD 5570 512MB for low power PSU, and there are also alternatives that the author mentioned.

But i was really planning to buy the GIGABYTE Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3, but as i mentioned im quite afraid that it won't work because of my PSU's capacity. But if ever, will it work fine if i'll use it?

Again your recommendations are always welcome. Thank you so much!

 

[45degrees]

Is this a store bought computer?

In your case, the 5750 is perfect for you, same performance as the 4850, but guarateed to work with your 350W PSU, $130:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150448&cm_re=5750-_-14-150-448-_-Product

I had it assembled to a shop that sells computer parts. I kinda hate it you know, knowing that my unit doesn't come with a video card, they used a 350W PSU and not giving an allowance for possible upgrade as for my case who wants to upgrade my unit's graphics. jeez!

Anyway, is the author right about the part where he mentioned the things not to do, like not getting a ddr2, using 1 GB..I mean, will there be no difference if i use 512 instead of 1 GB?

Thanks for sharing mate!

 

[45degrees]

For your resolution no, but that is the cheapest 5750 in the market from a decent brand. If you can find a cheaper 512MB go ahead.

ow ok.so there will be no difference. but sir, I'm confused, maybe you mean 5570 and not 5750?

 

[45degrees]

i mean a 5750, five-seven-five-zero.
it will run fine on most 350Ws. Exactly which one do you have anyways.

Ok sir. I need to make sure, before I'll make up my mind and buy your recommendation, the author's recommendation for a low power consuming card in his article is the HD Radeon 5570.

http://www.hardware-revolution.com/the-best-video-cards-for-your-money-june-2010/

And i checked the link from newegg that you gave me, HD Radeon 5750's one system requirements is Minimum 450 Watt Power Supply Requirement.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150448&cm_re=5750-_-14-150-448-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Sir, will it really work fine in the long run in a 350W PSU?

 

[45degrees]

well i opened the unit and i think it's total output is 350W. the brand is power man.
with my Intel i5 650 @ 3.20Ghz, will HD 5750 run smoothly and i mean no glitches or malfunctions like sudden shut down or restarts?

Please bare with me sir if I'm making things are sure, I just don't want to make a big mistake here since as i said, am not a tech expert..hehehe..

 

[Onus]

"Power Man???????" Uh oh, cheap generic. NOT good enough for a HD5750, not safely anyway! If it were a good one, then yes, but not on that. Check out the HD5670; needs minimal power (no auxiliary power connector) and should perform pretty well.
Timop will recall my thread about a mini-ITX I'm building with very similar specs.
Another alternative for you would be to get a 380W Antec Earthwatts PSU for $50; it can handle a HD5770 with no trouble.

 

[45degrees]

Ow ok, so that's what will happen in the long run, well its a risky move then.

So the other 1 runs atleast at 400W. But still a good consideration for my situation.

Ok sir, so what would you recommend, with my PSU, resolution and the games that i will be playing, what's the best video card out there then that will suit for my unit?

 

[45degrees]

"Power Man???????" Uh oh, cheap generic. NOT good enough for a HD5750, not safely anyway! If it were a good one, then yes, but not on that. Check out the HD5670; needs minimal power (no auxiliary power connector) and should perform pretty well.
Timop will recall my thread about a mini-ITX I'm building with very similar specs.
Another alternative for you would be to get a 380W Antec Earthwatts PSU for $50; it can handle a HD5770 with no trouble.

Ok. Now i see where i made a mistake, i should have checked the PSU when they were assembling my unit. I never thought that the PSU would be a great factor in upgrading graphics. Now you know! hahaha..

Another thing that's giving me the headache is the screen resolution, dang i should have given this monitor back home so they can buy a better one. Ok help me making things clear, assuming i'll chose HD5670,
and given my reso is only 1280x1024, is there a difference in the quality of the graphics if I chose HD5670 512 MB and not the 1GB of it?

What good is it if I'll choose 1 GB instead of 512MB?

Thank you for joining us jtt283. I greatly appreciate you input(s)

 

[Onus]

Agreed on the 9800GT.
In your place, assuming you have no other constraints like case size:
IF you are planning on a near term monitor upgrade THEN
BEGIN
Upgrade PSU;
IF it will be 1920x1080 THEN
Get a HD5770 ELSE
Get a HD5750;
END;
ELSE
Get a HD5670;

(My apologies to the real programmers out there; it's been a while)

 

[45degrees]

What is your budget anyways?

The cards you should consider: HD5570, HD5670, HD4670, GT240. Performance wise it goes like 5670>240GDDR5>5570>4670>240GDDR3, but the difference is only 10% or so.

All should suit your needs just fine, just find the cheapest one from a decent company.

Sorry for the other thread, i thought the community is different with the forum that's why i made another 1..

Anyway, my budget is less than $120. I have decided to use old cards for the mean time and not the latest cards. I know prices will fall by the time comes.

So, is it the HD5670 then?

 

[Onus]

At that resolution, and in your listed games, I don't think you'll see a difference. I've been reading that 1GB may not even make that much difference as high as 1920x1080 in many titles.

 

[Onus]

That, or even step back to the HD5570 if minimizing cost is a priority, but your original question asked for the "best," and I think that's it. Though perhaps a little stronger in games, even the low-power versions of the 9800GT use more power, and they run hotter and have louder fans.

 

[45degrees]

Agreed on the 9800GT.
In your place, assuming you have no other constraints like case size:
IF you are planning on a near term monitor upgrade THEN
BEGIN
Upgrade PSU;
IF it will be 1920x1080 THEN
Get a HD5770 ELSE
Get a HD5750;
END;
ELSE
Get a HD5670;

(My apologies to the real programmers out there; it's been a while)

Yes sir you are right. PSU first before monitor, then go for the video card.

Well I have been observing the trend of technology and I have made it clear to myself that it is not wise to acquire the latest ones. There is a thing that they call as "ALTERNATIVES".

SO it's HD5670 then?

 

[Onus]

The Sapphire is physically bigger, but almost certainly runs cooler and quieter.

 

[45degrees]

OK!!! Choice made. I'll go with you both. HD 5670 then. Only one left thing to do as Timop mentioned, is to search a cheaper 1 from a decent company.

Thank you Timop and jtt283. You both have given the best answer and I give the credits to both of you. Big thanks also for the links that you have provided. It made things easier. And last but not the least, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise on this short thread. Bless you! \m/

~45degrees


PS: To the Mods, you may close this thread now. CASE SOLVED!