Need help buying good graphics card ($100)

[bigdanny88]

I have a Compaq CQ5320F PC with 3 GB RAM, AMD Athlon II X2 240 processor (2.80 GHz), and I installed Nvidia 8400 GS graphics card (Which sucks for gaming). Can you tell me a graphics card I can get that is good for gaming($100). My PC supports PCI and I think it has 250w power supply.

Edit- my PC supports PCI and PCI-E

 

[rolli59]

You have a PCIexpress slot http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01949110&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=4107708
The best card you can run with your 250watt PSU is HD5570 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007320%20600007611&IsNodeId=1&name=Radeon%20HD%205570

 

[Jarwain]

Im doin research Myself for a decent Graphics card, and i found some REALLy interesting deals.

You can get a GeForce 9800 Gt for 65 bucks after Rebate off of Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-512-P3-N973-TR-GeForce-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/tech-data/B001KZH8KO/ref=de_a_smtd

You can also get a 9800 gtx+, which i heard is LOADs better, for about 105 after rebate.

According to this guy
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=140889&st=40&p=857281&
the 8800 Ultra is better than the Gtx+. I havent found one on a retail site (Like Amazon or Newegg) But theres a few people selling them on ebay. The bids as of this post are 53$ for both, but they have 10 hour difference in ending times, and shipping is 10 and 7.50 respectively. Course, tomarrows the last day for these offers, so im not sure how helpful they are.
Anyways, here are the Ebay links
http://cgi.ebay.com/EVGA-NVIDIA-GeForce-8800-Ultra-not-8800gtx-/120588937077?cmd=ViewItem&pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item1c13a92775
http://cgi.ebay.com/XFX-NVIDIA-GeForce-8800-Ultra-/220629870619?cmd=ViewItem&pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item335e90a81b


Good Luck in your Search.



EDIT: wait, its PCi, not Pci-e? All the links i have are Pci-e...
If it Is Pci, then you might be better off getting a new computer, due to the fact that pci is really outdated. How did you find out it was pci?

 

[jyjjy]

He has a PCI-E port. None of the cards you mentioned will work on his power supply however.

 

[bigdanny88]

Actually I have both slots, but I prefer PCI-E, much better cards right?

 

[Jarwain]

Hmmmmm, Now Im kinda worried My power supply isnt good enough either.....

 

[bigdanny88]

OK This is what I want to know: If A graphics card says requires 300W of power supply can I still run it with no problems in 250w computer?

 

[jyjjy]

Open the side of your computer. On the power supply will be a chart. Tell us the brand/model and the number of amps it claims to have on the +12v rail.

 

[Jarwain]

@bigdanny: I really really really really doubt it. You'd probrably crash. But thats just what i think based on logic. You never know, after all, Technology is unpredictable. And also, please no Allcaps. Its against the ruls of the forum, i think. And it annoys the heck outta me. If you want to emphasize something, use [b.]Stuff [/b.] to bold it. And leave out the .

@jyjjy(if that was to me): Id rather not have to open my computer until i get the graphics card itself, so its less likely i do something that screws my computer over somehow. Is there another way?

 

[jyjjy]

Would you rather get a card that doesn't work?
How would opening the case screw up your computer?

 

[Jarwain]

No....
I don't know, dust can land on the motherboard or something and mess up the current of electricity/signals. If i do have to open my computer, id get my dad to do it. He's more of a hardware guy than me. And hes out right noww.

One more question: The Graphics card says its DDR3, and according to CPU-Z My memory is DDR2. Is the DDR2 type just based off of the memory card I already have, or based off of actual specifications from my processor/motherboard/computerything?

 

[Jarwain]

yes assuming your PSU was not bought on ebay for $10 and came with a free t-shirt worth $9.

Lol.

 

[Jarwain]

are you serious? its a compaq PSU between 250-300w. it's a step above the crap e-machines puts in their machines and a step below HP is willing to put in their "HP" PCs.

I believe he was talking to me...

 

[Jarwain]

i know he was talking to you but jyjyy already knew the answer to the question he asked. just about every mass produced consumer PC comes with a 250-300w unit that is reliable to power the PC but often lacks any real power for video gaming cards that are above entry level.

Ahh, so would it be better to buy a new psu if i want that 9800 GT?

 

[bigdanny88]

Ok no more Caps sorry, and I have already opened my PC case, I installed the video card myself. And my power supply is 250w.

 

[bigdanny88]

Open the side of your computer. On the power supply will be a chart. Tell us the brand/model and the number of amps it claims to have on the +12v rail.

Make: Bestec
Model: ATX-250-122 rev: D7R
Input: 100-127V~6A, 200-240V~3A 50/60 Mhz
Output: 250W max.
+5V & +3.3V 165W max. + 5V & 12V 218W Max.

 

[bigdanny88]

it would be your only choice if you wanted a 9800GT

Ok so whats the better gaming card 9800GT or nvidia GT220 like you said earlier?

 

[Jarwain]

9800 GT is better Hands Down. But to do that, youd need a better PSU. I'll see if i can update you on what I find tomarrow, cuz i have to sleep now and I need to look up Psu's too, seing as my computer is only 300 watts. If you do some research, do me a favor and put it on here. C:
The 9800 Gt has a 400 watt minimum reccomendation according to the Nvidia webbie

EDIT: If you try doin some research yourself on the video cards, keep this in mind. For Nvidia, anything between 6-8 is awesome for gaming. Like the Gt x600-x800 pwns at gaming, Gt x100-x500 is more casual. and x is just the series. ^.^
Also, 8800 is better thn 9400 and 9600 is better than 9400 (yet 96 is more expensive than 98. )

Also, for Psu's, Comp Usa/Tiger Direct has a 550 watt Psu for 40$.
'S a shame im ona strict 100$> budget

 

[bigdanny88]

Since I willl not upgrade my power supply then my best candidate is the GT220 or
GT 240, at least I will get more decent framing rate than the 8400gs right?

 

[jyjjy]

I would go for the HD5570. It uses up to 35w under normal usage. Your 8400GS tends to max out at 20w. So it only uses 15w more but then again Bestec is known for particularly poor PSUs. I can't guarantee it will work but I would say it is likely. From the numbers I'm seeing both the GT 220 and 240 use slightly more power so the HD5570 is likely your best bet.
It will be a huge upgrade over the 8400GS, which is simply a terrible card for gaming. Probably about 3-4 times more powerful.

 

[digvijaysingh]

I agree with jyjjy . HD 55 70 is better also it support DX 11 for future coming games. so go for it.

 

[enemyNguyen]

yes assuming your PSU was not bought on ebay for $10 and came with a free t-shirt worth $9.

+1

 

[rolli59]

i would not run the 5570 on a compaq PSU. the card uses more power then the ATI 4650 and Compaq PSU are below DELL levels and even HP for a mass PC seller.

Just to clarify the power consumption the HD5570 has the performance of HD4670 and consumes less power than a HD4650 http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5570,2552-12.html

 

[bigdanny88]

I agree with jyjjy . HD 55 70 is better also it support DX 11 for future coming games. so go for it.

I would go for the HD5570. It uses up to 35w under normal usage. Your 8400GS tends to max out at 20w. So it only uses 15w more but then again Bestec is known for particularly poor PSUs. I can't guarantee it will work but I would say it is likely. From the numbers I'm seeing both the GT 220 and 240 use slightly more power so the HD5570 is likely your best bet.
It will be a huge upgrade over the 8400GS, which is simply a terrible card for gaming. Probably about 3-4 times more powerful.

So you guys are saying Ati is better than Nvidia cards, they use less power. I always thought Nvidia graphics were #1, thats why I was going for an Nvidia card.

 

[notty22]

Here is a review of the 5570, they compare it to the GT 240 throughout.
The GT 240 is the clear winner, using less power and providing better fps.
The Gt240 is rated at higher tdp by Nvidia than ATI rates the 5570 69vs42
No it does not have dx 11, but that is a non factor on low end cards.
In that review, they find that the 5570 is about the best 'low profile' card, one can choose.
So for people with slim cases, thats its niche, imho.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2935/13