[Solved]Cheap low profile graphics card
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Last response: in Graphics & Displays
evan95
January 4, 2011 10:46:41 PM
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week
BUDGET RANGE: About $50, but I am flexible
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Light gaming, videos etc. Nothing too heavy.
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: Upgrading from integrated, power supply is 300W
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: PCI express x16 connector, must be low profile card with low profile mounting bracket
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: tigerdirect.ca, ncix.com, newegg.ca (Canadian websites if possible)
PARTS PREFERENCES: none
OVERCLOCKING: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Any suggestion is appreciated, I am new to this kind of thing.
BUDGET RANGE: About $50, but I am flexible
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Light gaming, videos etc. Nothing too heavy.
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: Upgrading from integrated, power supply is 300W
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: PCI express x16 connector, must be low profile card with low profile mounting bracket
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: tigerdirect.ca, ncix.com, newegg.ca (Canadian websites if possible)
PARTS PREFERENCES: none
OVERCLOCKING: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Any suggestion is appreciated, I am new to this kind of thing.
More about : solved cheap low profile graphics card
Best I can do for the budget http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681...
But would recommend, if motherboard has a version 2.0 PCIe slot http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681... Is more powerful and consumes less electricity.
But would recommend, if motherboard has a version 2.0 PCIe slot http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681... Is more powerful and consumes less electricity.
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$50 really isn't enough to get a decent gaming card. I would avoid that particular HD4650 if at all possible. DDR2 + 64 bit = not good. The HD5570 would be alright but if you want game with anything resembling decent settings at 1680x1050 I would recommend at least this HD5670;
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681...
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evan95
January 5, 2011 12:11:11 AM
evan95
January 5, 2011 12:14:35 AM
evan95
January 5, 2011 1:09:46 AM
jyjjy said:
$50 really isn't enough to get a decent gaming card. I would avoid that particular HD4650 if at all possible. DDR2 + 64 bit = not good. The HD5570 would be alright but if you want game with anything resembling decent settings at 1680x1050 I would recommend at least this HD5670;http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681...
That is going to require 400W, I only have 300W
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It will run fine on a modern 300watt, total system load 190watts http://www.anandtech.com/show/2917/13
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Best solution
I went for this card.
http://www1.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overv...
I got it for $44 USD from Ebay with shipping included.
It is a OEM card so it didnt come with pretty box with half naked futuristic chick
Also no crappy demo games.
It did come with dvi-vga adapter and driver disk (do not use disk that comes with it - always download latest drivers from manafacturers website)
It has a HDMI and DVI ports.
I am a multimedia guy who is a light gamer
It plays BioShock 2 1920x1080 at highest settings no problems
It was picked in Toms guide to cards as best under $50 deal
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
It is a low profile card.
I am sure you can find similar deals in Canada.
OEM parts if you shop smart are good deals.
Same specs as Retail.
http://www1.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overv...
I got it for $44 USD from Ebay with shipping included.
It is a OEM card so it didnt come with pretty box with half naked futuristic chick
Also no crappy demo games.
It did come with dvi-vga adapter and driver disk (do not use disk that comes with it - always download latest drivers from manafacturers website)
It has a HDMI and DVI ports.
I am a multimedia guy who is a light gamer
It plays BioShock 2 1920x1080 at highest settings no problems
It was picked in Toms guide to cards as best under $50 deal
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
It is a low profile card.
I am sure you can find similar deals in Canada.
OEM parts if you shop smart are good deals.
Same specs as Retail.
Share
evan95
January 5, 2011 3:01:45 AM
king smp said:
I went for this card.http://www1.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overv...
I got it for $44 USD from Ebay with shipping included.
It is a OEM card so it didnt come with pretty box with half naked futuristic chick
Also no crappy demo games.
It did come with dvi-vga adapter and driver disk (do not use disk that comes with it - always download latest drivers from manafacturers website)
It has a HDMI and DVI ports.
I am a multimedia guy who is a light gamer
It plays BioShock 2 1920x1080 at highest settings no problems
It was picked in Toms guide to cards as best under $50 deal
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
It is a low profile card.
I am sure you can find similar deals in Canada.
OEM parts if you shop smart are good deals.
Same specs as Retail.
Ya I think Im going to pick one of those up. Thanks
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king smp said:
I went for this card.http://www1.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overv...
I got it for $44 USD from Ebay with shipping included.
It is a OEM card so it didnt come with pretty box with half naked futuristic chick
Also no crappy demo games.
It did come with dvi-vga adapter and driver disk (do not use disk that comes with it - always download latest drivers from manafacturers website)
It has a HDMI and DVI ports.
I am a multimedia guy who is a light gamer
It plays BioShock 2 1920x1080 at highest settings no problems
It was picked in Toms guide to cards as best under $50 deal
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
It is a low profile card.
I am sure you can find similar deals in Canada.
OEM parts if you shop smart are good deals.
Same specs as Retail.
The card you linked isn't actually low profile. The claim of "BioShock 2 1920x1080 at highest settings no problems" also really doesn't sound right. I've used significantly better cards at much lower resolutions and needed to lower some settings.
When choosing an HD4650 there are two factors to keep in mind. Ram speed(DDR2 vs DDR3) and bus width(64 bit vs 128 bit.) DDR3 would be for the best but unfortunately it is pretty rare so you will likely have to go with DDR2. At the least though you want a 128 bit card.
That said either the HD5570 or HD5670 are significantly better cards and I highly recommend you pay a bit more for one of them if you want to do some gaming at high resolutions, preferably the HD5670. Either will work fine on a 300w power supply.
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evan95
January 6, 2011 12:30:44 AM
jyjjy said:
The card you linked isn't actually low profile. The claim of "BioShock 2 1920x1080 at highest settings no problems" also really doesn't sound right. I've used significantly better cards at much lower resolutions and needed to lower some settings.When choosing an HD4650 there are two factors to keep in mind. Ram speed(DDR2 vs DDR3) and bus width(64 bit vs 128 bit.) DDR3 would be for the best but unfortunately it is pretty rare so you will likely have to go with DDR2. At the least though you want a 128 bit card.
That said either the HD5570 or HD5670 are significantly better cards and I highly recommend you pay a bit more for one of them if you want to do some gaming at high resolutions, preferably the HD5670. Either will work fine on a 300w power supply.
Sapphire makes a low profile version of same card.
It is on Newegg.
And yes it does work at 1920x1080 on Bioshock 2 at highest settings on my Dell Optiplex 745 E4300.
I cant prove it to you. You will just have to take my word.
Also with the card OCd I scored 5200 on 3DMark06 which isnt great but not bad for an old machine.
There is a reason that Toms named it the best $50 card.
The op doesnt game heavily, wants a good multimedia card and wants a low price.
The HD4650 is the best card with those requirements.
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Here are some benchmarks for Bioshock 2;
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/02/22/bioshock_2_ga...
The weakest card they use is a GTS 250 which is approximately twice as fast as a DDR3 HD4650 which is notably faster than the DDR2 model. Even that card regularly dips below 30 fps and as low as 17fps and that is with AA only set to x2.
Personally I played the first Bioshock at 1280x1024 on a 9600 GSO overclocked about 25% which should be a lot faster than an HD4650 DDR2 and I had to turn down a number of settings to make the game smooth.
The HD4650 is one of the better cards for $50 but there are simply no cards at that price that can game well at his native resolution. Spending the extra money for the HD5670 or at least the HD5570 would be a very wise decision at 1680x1050 if there is any significant interest in gaming.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/02/22/bioshock_2_ga...
The weakest card they use is a GTS 250 which is approximately twice as fast as a DDR3 HD4650 which is notably faster than the DDR2 model. Even that card regularly dips below 30 fps and as low as 17fps and that is with AA only set to x2.
Personally I played the first Bioshock at 1280x1024 on a 9600 GSO overclocked about 25% which should be a lot faster than an HD4650 DDR2 and I had to turn down a number of settings to make the game smooth.
The HD4650 is one of the better cards for $50 but there are simply no cards at that price that can game well at his native resolution. Spending the extra money for the HD5670 or at least the HD5570 would be a very wise decision at 1680x1050 if there is any significant interest in gaming.
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I have the Windows Live Bioshock 2 DVD (playable on PC and XBOX360) and on the menu I didnt see AA settings
I just set all the settings on the graphics option to high at 1920x1080
I will have to look and see if there is settings for AA.
Maybe there is advanced settings on the menu I didnt see.
Probably had all the details/shadows/relfections set high but with no
AA/AF.
Still pretty happy with it
I just set all the settings on the graphics option to high at 1920x1080
I will have to look and see if there is settings for AA.
Maybe there is advanced settings on the menu I didnt see.
Probably had all the details/shadows/relfections set high but with no
AA/AF.
Still pretty happy with it
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http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2330188,00.a...
Actually if you read this review of the HD 4670 (my 4650 runs OC so is equal to a 4670-same core same specs) vs 9600 GSO you will see that it is an even match with Extremetech picking the HD4670 over the 9600GSO.
They are the same level of cards.
You beat me by a very tiny margin since you OC.
My card also uses less power,less heat and cost me $44 with shipping.
Actually if you read this review of the HD 4670 (my 4650 runs OC so is equal to a 4670-same core same specs) vs 9600 GSO you will see that it is an even match with Extremetech picking the HD4670 over the 9600GSO.
They are the same level of cards.
You beat me by a very tiny margin since you OC.
My card also uses less power,less heat and cost me $44 with shipping.
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You can force AA through the control panel on Nvidia cards but I don't believe it works for ATI cards.
I was running the GSO with a 25% OC at 1280x1024, it isn't a comparable situation to a DDR2 HD4650 at 1080p. The DDR2 HD4650 is notably weaker than the DDR3 model. Even with a good OC the DDR2 card isn't going to match the HD4670. Here is a performance chart from Techpowerup that includes a DDR2 HD4650.
![]()
The card the use is actually underclocked by 8% so adjust accordingly.
If you check out the Tom's chart you'll see they place it a full 3 tiers lower than the DDR3 card;
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gts-450-rad...
They have it as on par with an 8600GTS which you will see in a lot of benchmarks for the first Bioshock(there aren't many around for Bioshock 2 but both games use the exact same engine and settings supposedly.)
![]()
I was running the GSO with a 25% OC at 1280x1024, it isn't a comparable situation to a DDR2 HD4650 at 1080p. The DDR2 HD4650 is notably weaker than the DDR3 model. Even with a good OC the DDR2 card isn't going to match the HD4670. Here is a performance chart from Techpowerup that includes a DDR2 HD4650.

The card the use is actually underclocked by 8% so adjust accordingly.
If you check out the Tom's chart you'll see they place it a full 3 tiers lower than the DDR3 card;
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gts-450-rad...
They have it as on par with an 8600GTS which you will see in a lot of benchmarks for the first Bioshock(there aren't many around for Bioshock 2 but both games use the exact same engine and settings supposedly.)

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here is link to head to head match up
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=563&card2...
The 9600GSO is a LITTLE better than the HD4650 BUT not by much.
Try not forcing AA on BioShock 2 and just use the settings in the game and set
them to high.
Your 9600GSO should play BS 2 just fine at high settings 1920x1080.
As far as the OP goes the HD 4650 would be exactly what they are
looking for.
Cheap,great multimedia card and a decent LIGHT gamer.
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=563&card2...
The 9600GSO is a LITTLE better than the HD4650 BUT not by much.
Try not forcing AA on BioShock 2 and just use the settings in the game and set
them to high.
Your 9600GSO should play BS 2 just fine at high settings 1920x1080.
As far as the OP goes the HD 4650 would be exactly what they are
looking for.
Cheap,great multimedia card and a decent LIGHT gamer.
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All of the reviews you are looking at are for the DDR3 model of the HD4650. It is not comparable to the DDR2 card and you cannot use them interchangeably. As I already said my highly OCed 9600 GSO could not handle Bioshock maxed out even at 1280x1024, with or without AA, so no, suggesting it could do so at a much higher resolution is simply not correct.
The HD4650 DDR2 is a "Cheap,great multimedia card and a decent LIGHT gamer" as long as the gaming is done at low resolutions. The OP has a 1680x1050 monitor and the card is going to struggle mightly at such a resolution in current games. Here is the techpowerup review of a DDR2 HD4650. It has benchmarks for 1680x1050;
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/HD_4650_iSilence...
Game:FPS
COD4:24
Call of Juarez:15
Company of Heroes:37
Crysis:6
Quake Wars:28
Far Cry:47
Far Cry 2:13
FEAR:26
Left 4 Dead:29
PREY:34
Quake 4:35
Splinter Cell 3:33
STALKER:25
STALKER 2:6
TF2:36
UT3:35
World in Conflict:11
The review is nearly 2 years old as are all these games. The handful of games they use that are reasonable surrogates for the more intensive current games(Far Cry 2, Crysis, Stalker 2, World in Conflict) show the card simply cannot handle them. Lowering setting would help things but not enough for games that are getting 5-15 fps on high. If the OP is ok sticking with games that are mostly a couple of years old then the HD4650 DDR2 is a reasonable choice. For anything semi-recent and/or graphically intensive then a better card is needed.
The HD4650 DDR2 is a "Cheap,great multimedia card and a decent LIGHT gamer" as long as the gaming is done at low resolutions. The OP has a 1680x1050 monitor and the card is going to struggle mightly at such a resolution in current games. Here is the techpowerup review of a DDR2 HD4650. It has benchmarks for 1680x1050;
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/HD_4650_iSilence...
Game:FPS
COD4:24
Call of Juarez:15
Company of Heroes:37
Crysis:6
Quake Wars:28
Far Cry:47
Far Cry 2:13
FEAR:26
Left 4 Dead:29
PREY:34
Quake 4:35
Splinter Cell 3:33
STALKER:25
STALKER 2:6
TF2:36
UT3:35
World in Conflict:11
The review is nearly 2 years old as are all these games. The handful of games they use that are reasonable surrogates for the more intensive current games(Far Cry 2, Crysis, Stalker 2, World in Conflict) show the card simply cannot handle them. Lowering setting would help things but not enough for games that are getting 5-15 fps on high. If the OP is ok sticking with games that are mostly a couple of years old then the HD4650 DDR2 is a reasonable choice. For anything semi-recent and/or graphically intensive then a better card is needed.
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I play BioShock 2 on high settings at 1920x1080
Simple fact
I do it all the time.
So unless you want to call me a liar
Just accept it.
I dont know why your card cant do it.
I have no reason to lie.
It doesnt matter that much to me to
be worth lying about!
Also READ the Toms review "best cards for money January" and you
will see your statement about "struggling mightily with 1680x1050"
is UTTERLY WRONG.
The 4650 will play at high settings at 1280x1024 current games and lowered
settings at 1680x1050.
That is what the Toms Review stated.
That is FACT.
here is article
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
I didnt say this. Toms did!
Simple fact
I do it all the time.
So unless you want to call me a liar
Just accept it.
I dont know why your card cant do it.
I have no reason to lie.
It doesnt matter that much to me to
be worth lying about!
Also READ the Toms review "best cards for money January" and you
will see your statement about "struggling mightily with 1680x1050"
is UTTERLY WRONG.
The 4650 will play at high settings at 1280x1024 current games and lowered
settings at 1680x1050.
That is what the Toms Review stated.
That is FACT.
here is article
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
I didnt say this. Toms did!
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And I'll state flat out that Tom's is wrong. It has been brought up many times in the comments for the monthly article and for some reason it has not been changed. The Tom's article also says that the HD5670 is "exceptional" for 1680x1050 and if you read the threads on this board you will find most people suggesting that an HD5750/HD4850/GTS 250 is about the minimum you want to consider for that resolution.
Anyway this isn't a mystery of any sort or something that needs to devolve into "you are lying, no you are." There are benchmarks for the card and I have provided some. The results simply are not very good for that card at the OP's native resolution even on games that are 2+ years old.
Anyway this isn't a mystery of any sort or something that needs to devolve into "you are lying, no you are." There are benchmarks for the card and I have provided some. The results simply are not very good for that card at the OP's native resolution even on games that are 2+ years old.
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evan95
January 14, 2011 11:07:04 PM
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